South African Tourism: What’s New

Thursday, Apr 11, 2022 0

South Africa’s tourism industry is set to drive recovery through innovation that will attract both new travellers and past visitors. The aim, to encourage visitor figures to spring back to 2019 levels – a year when 440,000 Brits had the country on their holiday list – as quickly as possible.

These innovations include a range of new accommodations and attractions, from hotels such as The Spade Boutique Hotel on the Western Cape and Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, to unique accommodations including Marataba Conservation Camps’ launch of the Star Camp Out, and exciting projects like the God’s New Skywalk Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route, set to be completed in 2023.

ENTRY REGULATIONS:

On March 22 South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced changes to entry regulations for international travellers which meant that, with immediate effect, vaccinated travellers are no longer required to produce a negative PCR test. Unvaccinated travellers may still enter South Africa with a negative PCR test, to be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in the country.

British travellers can check the latest South Africa entry requirements at www.southafrica.net/covid19

BEST VALUE LONG-HAUL DESTINATION:

The Post Office Travel Money Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer has confirmed that South Africa is the best value long-haul destination for Brits; more good news for travellers thinking about a visit to South Africa this year.

The report compares the cost of eight everyday tourist items in 36 cities and resorts worldwide;

Cape Town was declared the cheapest long-haul destination, with costs of a glass of wine at £1.06, a beer at £1.02 and a three course meal averaging £29.20.

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/holiday-money-report

TOURISM RECOVERY ACTIVITY:

Meet South Africa with Michaela Strachan

Long-time Cape Town resident Michaela Strachan explores her adopted homeland in five mini films that showcase the very best of the country. The Meet South Africa videos cover Cape Town and beyond, Johannesburg to Madikwe, KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, the West Coast and Cape Winelands, and The Garden Route and highlight everything you would expect, from incredible wildlife to high adrenaline action; and a few surprises too. The videos can be seen on South African Tourism UK’s YouTube page and have an online guidebook with more details of Michaela’s SA adventures.

South African Tourism launches “Live Again” global brand campaign
South African Tourism (SAT) has unveiled its first global campaign in five years. “Live Again” captures the story of a young traveller’s life-changing journey through South Africa. It is a showcase of captivatingly beautiful landscapes, dynamic culture and people, vibrant night-life and exquisite cuisine. After two years of travel restrictions, bucket-list destinations, adventures and experiences are high priorities.

Watch the video here

ACCOMMODATION NEWS:

The Spade Boutique Hotel, Western Cape
The Spade Boutique Hotel is the first upmarket hotel to open in the Cape Town township of Khayelitsha, just a short drive from Cape Town International Airport. The hotel has been carefully designed to offer guests the ideal place to rest and recuperate, in a space abundant with opulence and comfort. The luxury accommodation boasts incredible African cuisine, a dazzling heated pool and a stunning spa. The property is steeped in culture and was the brainchild of Khayelitsha locals Annette Skaap, a former flight attendant, and her businessman husband Bulelani “Ace” who also owns the Kwa-Ace Lounge, Kwa-Ace Kitchen and Kwa-Ace Eparkin. The hotel has 13 en-suite rooms, an in-house gym and bar, with prices from approx £60 per room per night.

https://thespadeboutiquehotel.co.za/

Old Bank Hotel, Cape Town
Slated to open later this year the elegant Old Bank Hotel in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre is an urban retreat offering spacious rooms in a Victoria design with luscious greenery. A short distance from breathtaking attractions including Castle of Good Hope, District Six and the V&A Waterfront, hotel guests can step outside and stroll up to the Bo-Kaap, meandre down to the vast and impressive Company Gardens or hop in a taxi and explore the up-and-coming East side of the city; where you can sample some of the world’s best coffee. Prices from £40 per room per night.

https://www.lionroars.com/lodges/old-bank-hotel

Marataba Star Camp Experiences, Limpopo
Marataba Conservation Camps have launched a brand new offering; the Star Camp Out. Located at the foot of the Waterberg Mountains in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, guests have the opportunity to stay at one of the country’s most innovative conservation models. It is the perfect setting for a thoughtful and invigorating safari experience where guests can disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature. Situated in a remote corner of the park, watched over by the craggy Diamant Mountains, the four tents are miles from anything and offer a perfect wilderness escape. The Star Camp out can be booked as an additional experience to go with a minimum three-night stay at either Marataba Founders or Explorers Camp. Prices from approx £500 for the first night, £250 for additional nights.

https://www.maratabacamps.co.za/

Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, Limpopo
The Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit is scheduled to open later this year. Centrally located 2kms outside the town of Hoedspruit, it is well placed for travellers to explore Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon. The property will be the only international upscale hotel in the Lowveld and is close to stunning attractions including the Orpen Gate of the Kruger National Park. Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit will have 138 rooms and suites, and feature the Group’s award winning Scandinavian-inspired hospitality.

https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/destination/south-africa

voco The Bank, Johannesburg
Located in the heart of the thriving Rosebank, Johannesburg, voco The Bank is a design meets comfort hotel, just a short walk from the Gautrain station. Surrounded by galleries, gourmet restaurants and buzzing nightlife, the 131-room hotel has a delightful two-level restaurant that serves delicious cuisine, a lounge and a bar. Voco the Bank can also cater to business travellers and corporate guests, with three meeting rooms, accommodating approximately 80 people. Prices from approx £140 per room per night.

https://valorhospitality.com/hotel/voco-the-bank-johannesburg-rosebank/

NEW ACTIVITIES:

God’s New Skywalk, Mpumalanga
Set to be completed in 2023, God’s New Skywalk along Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route, will allow visitors to experience one of South Africa’s most iconic vistas in an entirely unique way. Alongside awe-inspiring views, the Skywalk is set to become an iconic attraction with a number of activities on-site, including the skywalk, a sky bridge, a sky swing, a zero-gravity room and a conference and meeting facility. The project will help the local community, by ensuring that a significant part of the activities will be run by local unemployed young people from the area.

http://www.mpumalanga.com/press-media/news/tourists-will-soon-be-able-to-walk-the-sky-at-gods-window

The Robben Island Museum (RIM), Cape Town
The Robben Island Museum has introduced a new walking tour, which allows tourists to explore Robben Island’s rich history and biodiversity while walking in the footsteps of South African legends. The Walking Tour is designed to highlight the most important areas, encouraging travellers to visit eight historic sites, including the Murray’s Bay Harbour Exhibition, the Visitor Centre Complex, the Land of Banishment for Xhosa Chiefs, the Ou Tronk Exhibition, the Blue Stone Quarry, the World War II Precinct, the Agricultural Precinct, the LimeStone Quarry, and the Maximum Security Prison. Prices from approx £70 per adult.

https://www.robben-island.org.za/

NEW RESTAURANTS:

Platinum Belt Restaurant and Lounge, KwaZulu-Natal
Nestled in the heart of Umhlanga the Platinum Belt Restaurant and Lounge offers guests an exclusive contemporary fine dining experience. The restaurant oozes modern style, and the bar boasts a wide variety of unusual cocktails. With a laid-back but buzzy atmosphere, the restaurant has wide appeal for both locals and travellers.

https://www.instagram.com/platinum_belt_lounge/?hl=en

UPCOMING EVENTS

Annual Gin & Jazz Manyano, Gauteng
Gin & Jazz Manyano is hosting its second live music and food event over the 2022 Easter Weekend. “Manyano”, meaning “Coming Together” attracts South Africa’s most loved artists, emerging musicians, well-rounded selectors and DJs. The event will bring visitors together to enjoy and experience the collaboration of this exceptional art form, encouraging locals and visitors and locals to immerse themselves in the culture and community.
The event takes place at Constitutional Hill from 1pm on Friday April 15 to 11pm on Saturday April 16 2022.

The Afrikaburn, Northern Cape
The Afrikaburn is a spectacular festival that celebrates the freedom of creative expression. The event is built by a community of volunteers, who once a year come together to create a temporary city of art. The festival brings creatives together in the Tankwa-Karoo National Park and invites people to collaborate, cooperate and build community amid the theme camps, costumes, music and performances.

The event takes place in Tankwa-Karoo National Park from midday on Monday April 25 to midday on Sunday May 1 2022.

AIRLINE NEWS:

Eurowings Discover launches direct flights from Frankfurt to Kruger National Park

The announcement that Lufthansa’s long-haul leisure brand, Eurowings Discover, will launch direct flights from Frankfurt to Kruger Park will make them the first intercontinental airline to schedule flights to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA). The service will provide direct access from Europe to Kruger National Park. In its first season (November 15 2022 to March 25 2023), the airline will fly three times a week from Frankfurt to Mbombela KMIA, with a short stopover in Windhoek.

SAA and Airlink resume domestic routes
SAA has announced that it will resume flights from Johannesburg to Durban from March 2022. Airlink will resume flights from Durban to Nelspruit, capital of Mpumalanga province, from April 2022.

https://www.flysaa.com/

https://www.flyairlink.com/