WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has eased travel recommendations for more than 110 countries and territories, including South Africa. The CDC’s new ratings include 61 nations that were lowered from its highest “Level 4” rating that discouraged all travel to recommending travel for fully vaccinated individuals, the agency […]

If you haven’t yet viewed them, the 2020/2021 Hermanus Sculptures on the Cliff – which explore our relationship with the environment – are breathtaking… as are the endless views. Western Cape photographer Nigel Riley captured these exquisite photos today, on World Environment Day. As he says, “it’s a Must Visit”… According to Fynarts Gallery, ‘Sculpture […]

Passengers on the inaugural United Airlines flight from New York to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, received a warm welcome on Friday 4 June 2021. The flight left Newark International Airport on Thursday, where the Consul General of South Africa in New York, Dr Motumisi Tawana, spoke at the launch. In South Africa, Tourism […]

Following an announcement made by the Dutch Government, the flight ban from South Africa to the Netherlands has been lifted with immediate effect… although that doesn’t mean South African passport holders can fly to The Netherlands just yet, unless they’re in transit. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines confirmed in a statement today that – in addition […]

A video featuring South Africa, which was posted a week ago by a group of American YouTubers, has already been viewed 11.5-million times! (Watch video below.) The 31-minute action-packed video by Dude Perfect showcases SA’s oceans, culture, wildlife, mountains and more… as the five best friends from Texas tick off a list of exciting things […]

South African National Parks (SANParks) CEO Fundisile Mketeni has decided to take “special leave” after charges of assault and sexual assault were laid against him on Friday at the Skukuza Police Station, Kruger National Park. UPDATE (2 June 2022): SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni fired after GBV findings According to Mketeni’s accuser, he tried to touch […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A pair of boxing gloves worn by Nelson Mandela at the height of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa lie under a thick layer of dust in a darkened room, the silence broken only by the thud of moths nose-diving onto the glass display case. The gloves were once one of the […]

Following the announcement made by Mango Airlines on Thursday 22 April that the airline is preparing to enter business rescue and pause operations, the Flight Centre Travel Group says it strongly advises all their customers to book alternative carriers for their domestic and Zanzibar flights. News broke late on Thursday evening last week that Mango […]

It snowed big-time at Afriski Mountain Resort today! This morning, the resort in Lesotho welcomed its first major snowfall for the winter season. The snow started at 2am and continued for a few hours covering the landscape around the resort with approximately 10cm of snow. All photos by Martin Schultz from Afriski… In good news […]

New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio this morning announced that NYC will fully reopen on 1 July 2021. Speaking on MSNBC, the mayor said: “Our plan is to fully reopen on July 1. We are ready for stores to open, for businesses to open, offices, theaters, FULL strength.” This means New York will be […]

The precious heritage site and its rich history are being poorly served… By Daniel Steyn. The official symbolism of the Robben Island Museum, adopted early in its existence, is “the triumph of the human spirit over adversity”. But after 24 years in existence, the museum is substandard. GroundUp took a socially-distanced, reduced capacity tour in […]

There’s one day left for potential employees at the new Radisson RED hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg, to apply for a casting call to fill 40 positions there. The hotel, set to open in June and the second in the specialty brand after the first one in Africa opened in Cape Town, is having what it […]

Norwegian Cruise Line today announced its highly-anticipated return to service, with new itineraries sailing Europe and The Caribbean beginning July 25, 2021. The Cruise Line will restart operations at a reduced capacity with Norwegian Jade, Joy and Gem as the first of its 17-ship fleet to welcome guests back on board. Travellers long-awaiting a return […]

British Airways (operated by Comair in South Africa) has announced the reopening of bookings for flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls for travel starting on 13 May 2021. This is fantastic news for travellers, with the Victoria Falls currently at its fullest in years, living up to its nickname Mosi-oa-Tunya (which means ‘The smoke that […]

Victoria Falls is currently flowing at its highest in decades! It’s an amazing sight when just over a year ago – December 2019 – Elisha Moyo, Principal Climate Change Researcher at Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Tourism, told the BBC that the average flow over the Victoria Falls during that year had been down […]

“I went to the World of Birds in Hout Bay recently. It was such an amazing experience. Word on the street is that the place needs help, so I went to check it out for myself,” says chef, photographer and SA expat Bruce Marais, who is currently in South Africa on holiday. “From what I […]

South African Airways (SAA) has suspended all SAA-operated international flights until 30 October 2021. Qantas also announced today that it is pushing back the resumption of its international flights from July to 31 October 2021. SAA said its suspension has been necessitated by many countries battling with fluctuating rates of Covid-19 infection and/or new waves […]

South Africa’s low-cost airline kulula.com today announced that it will restart its operations at Lanseria International Airport from 1 April 2021, servicing its Durban and Cape Town routes. Similar to the re-introduction of its other routes, kulula.com will commence with a limited schedule, adding additional frequencies over the next couple of months. Customers are now […]

British Airways (operated by Comair) has announced the reopening of bookings for daily regional flights between Johannesburg, South Africa, and Harare, Zimbabwe, with one-way fares starting from R995, including taxes and surcharges. Bookings for the regional route are open from today and will start operating on 28 March 2021. Desmond O’Connor, Executive Head of Revenue […]

KLM South Africa has announced that with effect from 23 February 2021 the following passengers will be accepted on flights from South Africa to Amsterdam, regardless of their final destination:  Dutch nationals, Schengen State and other EU residents, Dutch Antilles residents, Medical staff, Seafarers and Airline crew. There is no change to the flights that are currently […]

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Qatar Airways continues to be the leading global carrier connecting South Africa by operating one of the largest and most reliable networks in the region. Having become the largest international carrier during the early stages of the pandemic, the airline has applied its knowledge of global passenger flows and booking trends […]

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, yesterday announced an extension of its current suspension of global cruise voyages as the world continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension now includes all voyages on Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania […]

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has appealed to travelers to ensure that they have all the requisite travel documents, including valid COVID-19 tests, when they present themselves to officials at the country’s borders. “Truck drivers should adhere to laws, regulations and agreements in place in the border area. This will go a long way […]

Visitors to the 2021 International Public Art Festival (IPAF), taking place in Cape Town right now, have been blown away by the spectacular street art displayed on some of the buildings in Cape Town’s oldest suburb, Salt River. Candice Chemaly captured these stunning photos of Africa’s largest street art festival. With Covid-19 safety measures in place, […]

Pick n Pay is today launching a fantastic new recycled shopping bag to raise funds for the ‘Save our Beach Huts’ initiative, a project aimed at restoring the iconic 36 beach huts in Muizenberg and St James which have fallen into disrepair. The huts, which are strongly rooted in Cape Town’s heritage, are featured frequently […]