Tag: vaccination

Travel Restrictions Almost Completely Lifted

Posted on by James

We’ll keep it brief here, but the news is all good!

A few weeks ago Botswana scrapped the required PCR test for incoming visitors if they are vaccinated.

Only last week the government of Namibia declared that the country no longer needed to wear masks in public.

And the latest on the South African front, effective as of today, is that PCR tests are also no longer necessary for visitors who have been vaccinated, masks will no longer be mandatory in outdoor public places, and with an expected 80% of the population having some form of immunity due to a combination of vaccinations and previous infection, South Africa now stands at a “watershed moment as it enters the next phase of managing the pandemic.” according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Safari bookings are already reflecting the ever-loosening travel restrictions across the globe. Most of the lodges we deal with report that should things continue as they have been, 2022 will be their busiest year on record. This is excellent for them and for the industry as a whole (although it does make getting a new booking tricky, as this year is made up of a combination of deferred and new bookings, so availability is becoming more and more limited).

The message we are hearing on a continually increasing scale is that the end is in sight. Yes, the new normal will probably never revert back to the way it was. Yes, the after-effects will take a while to settle down fully, but we can confidently state that this is the first time we are truly, truly optimistic about the African travel situation in the coming year.
Up until now it has been a mish-mash of very different approaches from different countries, but each week we are seeing the best safari destinations more and more in line with each other under their respective country’s policies, and travel is suddenly almost as easy as it was before March 2020!

We know we’ve been disappointed before, and the last two years have certainly taught us to take no situation for granted, but with a wave of overwhelming optimism sweeping through the industry, we can firmly state, THIS IS IT! Time to TRAVEL!!

 

Africa is Opening Up!

Posted on by James

Africa is opening up again!

For those of you who have been yearning to satisfy that travel urge over the last 15 months, the thrilling news is that you can do that sooner than you think.
Right now, in fact.

United Airlines recently returned to South Africa with its direct flight from New York to Johannesburg, and this route is set to continue as a daily service. Just as exciting is the anticipated resurrection of the New York to Cape Town route, set to launch in October, which will give visitors direct access to South Africa’s Mother City, right on the southern tip of the continent.
Current US Rules allow those fully vaccinated with the Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson jabs to return home without having to undergo any period of quarantine, so the worry of getting back home can essentially be forgotten.

Photograph courtesy of Getty Images

For those wishing to head on a breathtaking African safari, there has literally never been a better time.
With most operators offering once-in-a-lifetime specials, fairly quiet lodges, and the game viewing unaffected by what has been happening in the greater world and just as spectacular as ever, the only question seems to be, “Why not?”
Rwanda is open for gorilla trekking, and incredibly sophisticated COVID-19 protocols (everyone in the tourism industry has been vaccinated) make this one of the safest countries to visit.
Botswana’s Okavango Delta is still – as ever – performing its own rendition of Eden, and the leopard viewing in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve continues to be unrivalled anywhere in the rest of the continent.

South Africa’s Sabi Sand Reserve is world-renowned for its leopard viewing in particular.

Iconic Africa director Terri Abadi recently flew out to South Africa to visit Londolozi Game Reserve, a place that has been close to her heart for over twenty years, and had this to say about her experience in getting there:

“I flew out just before the New York flight opened so I routed through Amsterdam, and my family flew out after me on the direct NY flight.
Both of our experiences were absolutely seamless. The airlines have adjusted completely to the new normal and to be honest it almost felt like nothing had changed since before COVID-19.

My layover was only two hours in Amsterdam and before I knew it, I was on the ground in Johannesburg and transferring to my flight down to the bush.

I’m excited to see what this means for travel, as once people start to realise how easy and most of all safe it is to get out to Africa, I anticipate people clamouring to go on safari once more!”

Terri Abadi and family enjoying the sunrise on a misty morning at Londolozi Game Reserve.

With the worldwide tourism industry having suffered through the bulk of 2020, but now slowly starting to turn a corner, we are thrilled to be able to contribute in our small way to helping the continent get back to its feet in the travel sector.
The new normal of travel is about responsibility; the awareness of the difference you are making to both the people and the wildlife in the places you visit. Sustainability, reduced impact, boons for local conservation projects and the socio-economic upliftment of communities are all part of the new jargon of travel.

Our destinations and packages are carefully picked to fulfil both a unique and life-changing African experience for the guest, as well as make a positive impact in the areas they serve.

We look forward to welcoming you to this stunning continent.
She is waiting…