15/11/2023
South Africa Alerts
Trail closed
The Bedrogfontein 4x4 trail in Addo Elephant National Park will be closed for a considerable period after a section of the trail was washed away in recent storms, reports Travel News Africa.
Accommodation along the trail, including the Mvubu campsite and Kabouga Cottage, will also be closed.
Two beaches closed
Swimming is prohibited at Warner Beach and Anstey’s Beach in Durban due to poor water quality, according to Travel News Africa.
Other recreational activities at the closed beaches are still allowed.
Twenty-one beaches in Durban are still open for swimming.
Snake warnings for Table Mountain
Hikers, cyclists, and other guests at Table Mountain National Park are urged to be aware of snakes becoming more active as temperatures increase, reports News24.
There are reportedly 22 snake species around the park, 10 of which are non-venomous.
However, most snakes are likely to shy away from human contact.
Update – Roads remain closed
Some roads in the Western Cape remain closed due to damage after the severe rain and flooding in September, according to Travel News Africa.
Over 150 roads had to be closed with the number now down to 37.
Clarence Drive remains closed and it is only possible to travel between Gordon’s Bay and the ‘The Grille Shack’. The Hemel-en-Aarde Road remains closed between Caledon and Hermanus.
Franschhoek Pass and a section of the N2 are also closed and are expected to reopen by the end of November. The R43 and R44 intersection near Kleinmond is expected to reopen by the end of January.
Visa waiver announced
Ghana and South Africa have announced a visa waiver regime to allow visa-free travel between the two countries from November 1, reports Tourism Update.
Holders of ordinary passports will be able to travel visa-free to both countries for a period of up to 90 days.
Maintenance on coastal walkway
The Muizenberg coastal walkway between Muizenberg and St James will undergo repairs and maintenance until November 30, reports Travel News Africa.
This will also include repairs to the St James tidal pool. The work will be split into three phases starting from the tidal pool.
Visitors will be diverted to the pavement along Main Road via the railway underpasses during the construction.
Additionally, Kloof Road will be temporarily closed to the public for necessary work that could take 12-18 months. The section of the road was deemed unsafe following severe rainfall and flooding in September.
Hiking trails closed
The City of Cape Town announced that the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail would remain closed, according to Travel News Africa.
Sections of the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail have been washed away due to severe flooding from the storms in September.
The Klipspringer hiking trail is closed as there is no access to the trail due to damage to Clarence Drive.
The Danie Miller hiking trail in Gordon's Bay is open, but should be used with caution due to strong flowing streams and loose, slippery rocks.
Camps under maintenance
SANParks has announced that some units in the Shimuwini Bushveld Camp in Kruger National Park are under renovations until March 2024, reports Travel News Africa.
The Mata Mata Rest Camp and Kalahari Tented Camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are also undergoing maintenance for the next three months.
Work will include painting all the roofs of the accommodation, replacement of the walkways, and the maintenance of all the furniture.
Accommodation at the camps should still be available, however guests should confirm with the camps beforehand.
Mpumalanga nature reserves go cashless
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency announced that all its nature reserves in the province have implemented a cashless service system from September 1, reports Travel News Africa.
This includes the Blyde River Canyon and its Visitor Information Centre. Visitors to the nature reserves and information centre must make all payments by card or cellphone payment services.
Big 5 at KZN game reserve
The Babanango Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal has announced its 'Big 5' status after a herd of elephants were brought to the reserve late last month (June), reports Travel News Africa.
The reserve is now home to lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard, elephant and many more species. White and Black rhinos and buffalo were first introduced in 2019 followed by leopards. Lions were introduced earlier this year.
Bus tours in Hermanus
Hermanus in the Western Cape has launched bus tours where guests experience the natural beauty, top sites and attractions of Hermanus for a day, reports Tourism Update.
The tour starts this month, with trips every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The tour includes panoramic views of Hermanus and Walker Bay through a scenic coastal drive.
A choice of wine tasting and cellar tour, boat-based whale watching, or additional leisure time, exploring the town of Hermanus and its array of shops and sites are also available.
Toll fees increase
Toll fees for Chapman's Peak Drive in Cape Town have increased this month, according to Travel News Africa.
Motorbikes now pay R40 while kombis, minibuses, cars and bakkies pay R61. A midi-bus and 2-axle truck pay R245 and a tour bus and 3-axle bus pay R613.
