​Frankfurt to Johannesburg...and more

From October 1 (subject to final government approval ) the Lufthansa Group intends to offer regular commercial flights to and from South Africa.

“We believe this signifies the start of a turnaround point for all our local customers and business partners in the travel industry which endured many hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said GM Southern Africa and East Africa for the Lufthansa Group, Dr André Schulz, in an open letter to the travel trade over the weekend.

Lufthansa will offer 3 weekly flights between Johannesburg and Frankfurt, operated on a Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

“We will also be offering a weekly service between Johannesburg and Zurich with SWISS International Air Lines,” added Schulz.

He said Lufthansa would also introduce twice weekly direct services between Cape Town and Frankfurt later in October.

“Depending on travel demand for the upcoming high season, we will further increase our capacity to and from South Africa,” said Schulz.

Lusaka to Johannesburg...

Proflight has announced new flights connecting Lusaka and Johannesburg which will start on 1st October.

Mondays & Wednesdays:
              Lusaka – OR Tambo 08:00 – 10:00
              OR Tambo – Lusaka 12:00 – 14:00

Fridays & Sundays:
             Lusaka – OR Tambo 12:00 – 14:00
             OR Tambo – Lusaka 15:00 – 17:00

Prices start at US $ 430 return.

With the correct connections, these flights allow smooth connections from and back onto international flights in Johannesburg. Proflight  are looking to add more flights as demand picks up.

Of recent years, there has been a growing concern regarding the treatment of wildlife in terms of Sanctuaries, Rehabilitation facilities, and general human/ animal interactions.

This is an issue that has come to the fore when Tourists are offered activities and interactions that should no longer be tolerated.... well-known examples being Lion Cub petting, African Elephant Back riding, for example. More and more travellers are sensitive to such issues, as they should be .

There are some international guidelines which are available, particularly in the UK and Dutch markets. From an African perspective, SATSA (Southern African Tourism Association - of which we are members), has done some research and work on putting together guidelines.

At present these are for Southern African countries, but are also relevant for any situation where there are human/ animal interactions. In this case, the animals are species which are deemed to be wild, rather than domesticated. 

SATSA has just published a useful guide for Travellers wishing to know more about Human/ Animal interaction, which we have included below as a downloadable PDF document.

We hope that you find this useful!

​The Namibia Tourism Board has announced that border crossing fees have increased.

The new fees (now in operation): 
ZAR 177 for motor cycles, motor tricycles, motor quadru-cycles, caravans and light trailers

ZAR 277 for motor cars, single and double-cab vehicles, 2x4 and 4x4 vehicles and minibuses (fewer than 25 passengers)

ZAR 579 for light goods vehicles and delivery vehicles (GVM < 3 500kg)

​The Mozambique Government has instituted visas that can be purchased on arrival for tourists regardless of whether or not there is an embassy in their country of origin.

The official policy that international visitors had to apply for visas ahead of arrival is now amended and they are able to purchase visas on arrival in Mozambique.

Cost is US$50 per per person (or equivalent in Mozambique Meticais or South African Rand) for their dual-entry visa which will be valid for 30 days.