IOL TRAVEL

The world awaits

You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius. - Mark Twain “

Contents

l SA has opened its international borders l Take in all KZN has to offer l How to plan for that international trip during the pandemic l An international traveller’s guide to South Africa l The lowdown on Covid-19 testing for international travel l Travel list: The best travel pillows l 5 reasons why Bonang and Pinky Girl need their own travel show

CONTACT US

PUBLISHER Vasantha Angamuthu vasantha@africannewsagency.com EDITOR Clinton Moodley clinton.moodley@inl.co.za EXECUTIVE EDITOR: LIFESTYLE Nelandri Narianan nelandri.narianan@inl.co.za PRODUCTION Renata Ford renata.ford@inl.co.za DESIGN Dimpho Mokhoanatsi dimpho.mokhoanatsi@inl.co.za BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Keshni Odayan keshni.odayan@inl.co.za SALES Charl Reineke charl.reineke@inl.co.za Kyle Villet kyle.villet@africannewsagency.com GENERAL ENQUIRIES info@anapublishing.com

Editor’s note

I REMEMBER my first international trip like it was yesterday. It was to Asia in my late 20s. I had saved for years to venture abroad and was excited to explore what other countries had to offer. Saving for the trip wasn’t the hardest part for me, it was the planning that I found quite tedious. It usually takes me four to six months to plan a holiday abroad – saving, obtaining visas (if required), booking flights, accommodation, activities and planning the itinerary.

Let’s not forget the countless checklists that I tick off to ensure that everything runs smoothly before I reach my destination.

Travelling during the pandemic will take much more planning, with Covid-19 tests and travel insurance a mandatory

requirement.

This month’s edition is a guide on how to plan your overseas trip, now that South Africa’s borders have reopened.

Check out our four-page guide on how to plan for that international trip during the pandemic that starts on page 8.

If you are planning to explore sunny South Africa, check out our international travellers guide on page 12. We share the country’s top attractions to add to your bucket list.

Enjoy this month’s edition. Safe travels!

Clinton

Thailand 2016

SA gives travel the green light

TRAVEL REPORTER reason, it is critical that we look at WITH South Africa moving to level 1 of the Covid-19 lockdown, the easing of travel regulations has been among the key focus areas. Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said: “The decision to open the country’s borders on October 1 to most countries is a The tourism and hospitality sector’s survival is dependent on international “ borders, especially for our key source markets, so that we can save jobs and save the economy in the Western Cape,” said Maynier. He said it was unfair to restrict leisure travellers from high-risk countries as there was no greater risk of transmission based on the purpose of travel. On the issue significant milestone in placing the (tourism) sector on the irreversible leisure travellers in of high-risk countries, Maynier said South Africa’s airlines, hospitality path towards full recovery. “We expect that travellers will the summer season. and tourism companies had shown that travel and tourism could resume prefer to travel to countries that offer greater diversity of attractions so that – David Maynier safely and, with stringent health and safety systems in place, it should not they don’t have to travel multiple be necessary to impose additional countries to enjoy different activities. country-based travel restrictions.

“With the risk of the virus spread “We are also concerned that the on a downward trend, South Africa two-week review period of the leisure is arguably among the safest tourist ’no-travel list’, together with the destinations in the world. “It is requirement that business travellers important to comply with regulations from high-risk countries email the and protocols established at ports Department of Home Affairs for of entry, to be honest in declaring permission to travel, will create a your health status and fully disclose barrier to bookings from visitors information as required for health in traditional key source markets screening. We also urge travellers during the critical summer season. to plan their trips in detail, and use It also does not allow for enough credible tour operators.” She reminded lead time on which airlines can base South Africans who were travelling to their decisions to fly, creating further observe the proper safety protocols: uncertainty for a sector that has “Let’s protect ourselves, let’s wear already been hard-hit.” masks, let’s wash our hands and let’s continue to practice social distancing. We are hopeful that South Africans will continue to take all the necessary COUNTRIES THAT MAKE UP SA’S BANNED LEISURE TRAVEL LIST: precautions to protect themselves so that we can continue to reduce the ◆ Dominican Republic ◆ Jordan ◆ Puerto Rico spread of the virus.” ◆ Ecuador ◆ Kosovo ◆ Romania ◆ Faroe Islands ◆ Kuwait ◆ Qatar

Is it unfair to restrict leisure ◆ France ◆ Lebanon ◆ Russia travellers from high-risk ◆ French Polynesia ◆ Luxembourg ◆ San Marino countries? ◆ Georgia ◆ Maldives ◆ St Martin

While many organisations have ◆ Gibraltar ◆ Malta ◆ Slovakia welcomed the reopening of South ◆ Greece ◆ Mexico ◆ Slovenia Africa’s international borders, but many ◆ Guam ◆ Moldova ◆ Suriname are not happy about the strategy the ◆ Guatemala ◆ Monaco ◆ Switzerland government has taken. ◆ Guyana ◆ Montenegro ◆ Trinidad and

David Maynier, Western Cape ◆ Honduras ◆ Netherlands Tobago MEC of Finance and Economic ◆ Hungary ◆ Nepal ◆ Turks and Caicos Opportunities, said the risk-based ◆ Iceland ◆ North Macedonia Islands approach regulating international travel ◆ India ◆ Oman ◆ Ukraine released by the national government ◆ Iran ◆ Palestine ◆ UK was a major blow for the tourism and ◆ Iraq ◆ Panama ◆ US hospitality sector in the province. “The ◆ Ireland ◆ Palau ◆ US Virgin Islands tourism and hospitality sector’s survival ◆ Israel ◆ Paraguay ◆ Venezuela is dependent on international leisure ◆ Jamaica ◆ Portugal travellers in the summer season. For this smart ways to open our international

Take in all KZN has to offer

TRAVEL REPORTER

EXPERIENCE the rush and thrills that KZN has to offer.

Dive in with the sharks on a shark cage adventure or leap over the edge of the Drakensberg mountains to experience the ultimate abseiling rush, or dare to go wild at some of KZN’s most loved water parks or feel the excitement while snorkelling through the scenic reefs among the marine life.

If you’re keen on swinging into your next adventure, the world’s tallest swing at Moses Mabhida Stadium will leave you feeling exhilarated.

And if you’re confident enough to take the plunge, soar across the sky on the longest zip-line in Africa at

Lake Eland, and let go of your fears at Oribi Gorge on the world’s highest gorge swing. For the more adventuresome, explore the rough terrain of the berg while hiking or get an adrenalin kick as you conquer the trails at some of South Africa’s best mountain bike parks.

You can venture through the Underberg to explore the challenging climb of the rugged passes of the Sani Pass and take control of the reins as you gallop along the sunny shores of the coast on a horseback ride.

When you’re ready to be blown away by breathtaking views, get a bird’seye view as you microlight over the picturesque coastline of Ballito.

Take it a step further and go skydiving, with a free fall at an altitude of 3050m, thereafter parachuting to your descent.

End your journey with a wet adventurous ride by experiencing the unspoiled nature and incredible adventure with family and friends, as you make your way down the uMzimkhulu River on a water raft.

Whatever level of adventure you’re seeking, KZN has it all, BELIEVE IT!

BELIEVE IT

Be adventurous and take the plunge

Experience the ultimate rush at Lake Eland with the longest zipline in Africa and the world’s highest gorge swing at Oribi Gorge! Let go of those fears and leap into a thrilling experience!

@tourismkzn_offi cial

Hang 10

Thrill-seeker

Explorer

Oribi Gorge, KZN

www.zulu.org.za #KZNHasItAll