Soonest/Safest return to South Africa?

[K-man]

If we can hunt upon arrival, all we need is a way there.....Anyone want to share a boat charter mid-july? Too bad Zim is landlocked.

 

[Tanks]

There are multiple issues that need to be resolved for a hunt to happen:

• Are the borders open? If it is not, then rest don't matter.
• Are airlines flying to J'Burg?
  
• If international flights are allowed to land, any quarantine requirements for arriving passengers?
• If transiting through J'Burg, are flights available that will allow rifles on board if indeed SAA is closing its doors?
• Is your outfitter still in business by the time all other issues are resolved?

 

[SafariA]

I do believe in the interem should airtavel resume they will require a quarantine period. This is not feasable.

So lets hope things get better outside of Africa soon and better there too. No use we have travel combined with quarantine .....

 

[Tanks]

I do believe in the interem should airtavel resume they will require a quarantine period. This is not feasable.
....

I don't have a problem for quarantining at my hunting concession for 14 days

However, I don't think that will be allowed. Also, I wouldn't trust the quarantine facilities in any country let alone in Africa.

 

[SafariA]

I mean mandatory state quarantine ....thats why I say not going to be feasable.

I am still in the USA for excatly that reason.

We all hope there will be a clearer picture by end of May.

We can just hope and pray as this is a very tough time for all of Africa not just South Africa. Everything has come to a standstill .

Happy Hunting !

 

[Tanks]

...

We all hope there will be a clearer picture by end of May.

We can just hope and pray as this is a very tough time for all of Africa not just South Africa. Everything has come to a standstill .
...

I hope so. So far two international trips canceled one in April and another in June. Supposed to leave on July 28 and October 28th on international flights as well.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

this thing is all way over blown, look at the stats before you make alarmist statements. It will not end like falling off the edge of a cliff, it will phase down, it is doing that in many places already, see Australia. As soon as the travel ban is lifted more universally, people can and will travel. So a delay of plans for sure, but no way is everything stopping! Postpone as necessary and keep your rifles clean and ready. I am hunting in Africa in both June and July.

 

[Tanks]

Well, as far as I am concerned a delay of plans is stopping plans for now.
My hunt for Zim is in August with departure scheduled for end of July. I am 90 days out from departure, but in reality I need to know how things will pan out within the next 60 days to be able to make alternative plans for SAA folding.

 

[SafariA]

I would disregard any chance of SAA flying again. They have been hanging by a thread for a while ......

 

[Tanks]

I would disregard any chance of SAA flying again. They have been hanging by a thread for a while ......

Well, the question is who will step into the void AND carry rifles.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

SAA will not fold, it has been a subsidised airline for decades and will continue to be. Zimbabwe will begin to open up on the first of May.

 

[BRICKBURN]

.... Zimbabwe will begin to open up on the first of May.

From the Office of the President

"President Mnangagwa's Speech on Extension of Lockdown
Published: Monday, 20 April 2020 11:13


"Guided by these realities, and to allow ourselves greater leeway to prepare for worse times which are likely ahead, Government has decided to extend with immediate effect the national lockdown by a further 14 days. That means the national lockdown which would have expired at midnight stands extended by another two weeks up to 3rd May, 2020."

http://www.theopc.gov.zw/index.php/562-president-mnangagwa-s-speech-on-extension-of-lockdown

 

[BRICKBURN]

Interesting that in the "first world" Physical distancing suggests 2M or 6 feet.

In Zimbabwe, holding to WHO protocol, 3 feet or 1M

Hmmmm.

 

[spike.t]

Yeah and what does the WHO know.....fkall it would seem. ..

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks to @spike.t for sending me the glimmer of this release. It took some digging to find a reliable source for the quote about international tourists. This is being repeated by multiple travel sites, so if anyone can elaborate or expound please do.

Source: Republic of South Africa: The Parliament | 13 hours ago

Coronavirus - South Africa: Committees on Tourism put Transformation High on the Agenda of the South African Tourism

The report was well received as the committees were reassured by South African Tourism (SAT) that the target of 21 million tourist arrivals will be met by 2030

Committees welcomed the assurance to achieve that target after COVID-19 as that will be even more difficult given the fact that the entire world has been affected by the pandemic
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 28, 2020/APO Group/ --
The Portfolio Committee on Tourism and the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour today received a briefing from the South African Tourism (SAT) on their five-year strategic and annual performance plans.

The report was well received as the committees were reassured by SAT that the target of 21 million tourist arrivals will be met by 2030. The committees welcomed the assurance to achieve that target after COVID-19 as that will be even more difficult given the fact that the entire world has been affected by the pandemic, and the competition for tourists among countries for tourists to their destinations will be tight.

The committees heard that the SAT would be looking for new markets that were not in their previous marketing plans. The SAT told the committees that one of the tools it will use is digital marketing with a shift of focus from classical to digital marketing of content.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, advised the SAT and the Department of Tourism to develop a strong link with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation for the purposes of partnering with embassies and consulates around the world especially in Africa.

That, according to Mr Mahumapelo, needs to be developed and be incorporated into the strategic and annual performance plans of the SAT.

Furthermore, Mr Mahumpelo said: “Now is the time to strengthen, reposition and rejuvenate domestic tourism to succeed as the domestic tourism market reopens in December while we wait for the international markets to open in February 2021.”

It was agreed in the previous meeting of the committee that the department will release a report in September this year on the transformation of the sector. The committees are looking forward to the tabling of a report that, according to them, must take into account the development of a non-racial and non-sexist tourism sector for the realisation of the dream of a prosperous and harmonious South Africa.

The committees said, whilst the White Paper on Tourism is being reviewed, the SAT must also look at the grading policy of the establishments and how the unemployed, women, youth and people with disabilities living in villages, townships and small towns can be included in the policy in the context of the district development model.

The committees have noted the reassurance by Minister Mamaloko Kubayi-Ngubane that the programmes of the department and the SAT include the extensive work of reigniting and developing tourism heritage routes that are inclusive of museums in rural areas and small towns.

The SAT is also urged to endeavour to find mechanisms to increase the number of establishments that are members of Tourism Marketing Levy South Africa (TOMSA). The committees told the SAT that this is necessary to strengthen the voice of the collective that contribute to the TOMSA levy which contributes 10% towards the budget of the SAT.

The committees welcomed the announcement by Minister Kubayi-Ngubane that the establishments that are willing to operate in the travel business can apply directly through the Department’s website and the turnaround time to issue permits for business travel is 24 hours.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.


https://www.africa-newsroom.com/pre...e-agenda-of-the-south-african-tourism?lang=en

 

[SafariA]

There will not be much left for their anticipated 30 M vistors to see should the Tourism Industry be locked down till February ....

I guess they base their projections on thier "experts" .... and we have realised how much they know ....

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Here in Zim, we have been told the following. Returning residents are facing 14 quarantine. Either at a govt. facility or at private lodges at your own expense.

God, help the person going to the govt. facility. Victoria falls has partially reopened, not sure exactly what that means.

Travel by vehicle does not seem to be restricted, but face mask required and in most cases no more than two people in a vehicle.

We have been told a 14 quarantine in a closed hunting camp in possible, but if a case arises the whole camp will be quarantined.

I believe that Emirates is flying into Harare, and of course they will handle firearms.

Grocery stores have not been a problem, restaurants and pubs been closed, except for restaurant takeaways. Operating hours have been limited.

To date we have been told we have had 60 confirmed cases, with most being residents returning from South Africa.

Fuel has been available in most areas.

Personally we have seen no increase in poaching, but this will change from area to area, crime has increased in cities.

We are being notified to changes every 14 days in Corona Virus 19 policy.

The use of boats or fishing (at least on a boat) is prohibited.

Cases of Malaria have been on the rise lately, some of these cases may have been misdiagnosed.

Water availability is becoming a problem and will get much worse!

If travel resumes this year I believe there will be some great hunting opportunities available at very reasonable prices.

Will SAA fly again, will South Africa Air link fly again? I believe a new airline will replace SAA. I do believe South Africa air link will resume flights eventually.

I do know that my wife and myself were scheduled to fly Air Link & SAA to the states on 3 June. We have lost our money not only on the African side but also on the U.S. side. We will not be able to reschedule since my wifes visa expires 6 August and the U.S. embassy is closed for visa applications.

I have sure had a lot of time to remove all copper from our rifle bbls!!

 

[jacques smith]

Hi Lon.
Hoe Gaian dit. Jacques here. Hope things get better for all soon

 

[mikecatt13]

Unbelievable. Praying for everyone effected especially if RSA is closed until feb 2021. Would decimate a lot of livelihoods.

 

[Charlie P]

I was to have hunted Botswana in May on a hunt I booked two years ago. First I was done over by the airline collapse. Then I got totally shut out by the virus. I was taking my wife to Africa for the first time (I've been before) and had some apprehensions on that. I've rescheduled to next April but with the lockdown going through next February, I'm now concerned about that. Will the "system (airlines, lodging, restaurants, civil order, etc)" be back in place to smoothly support tourism by April if not opening until February? Three months of lockdown and it appears the world has already lost it's mind. What will it look like after a year? What will the cost of all the "systems" be at that time? Will there be additional risk at that time such as being snatched and forced to endure some arbitrary quarantine. "system failure" or other intrusion, including other significant financial cost? I've been able to recoup some of my investment but sill out over 4k invested. At some point I'll need to again book things in the "system" that have already screwed me, running the risk of losing more money. I'm also concerned about my outfitter. If I were to cancel the sooner I did so the better the opportunity for them to find someone else to fill the slot. What will their stability be like after a year of shutdown? I still would love to go and hate to move too fast and sacrifice my desire and investment for all of this confusion to disappear in a couple of months and everything go back to normal. At what point do I get this out of my mind and just say screw it and move on? This was supposed to be an enjoyable, relaxing, memorable (in a positive way) experience. Seems more like prolonged misery.

Just wanted to vent a bit while setting here under some quarantine phase, all the major cities under anarchy, and a hurricane passing over. Seemed like there was nothing better to do today.