News and Notes
8/3/2017
Botswana Tourism Development Levy from June 1st
Beginning June 1st travelers to Botswana will be required to pay a Tourism Development Levy of USD $30.00 per person at their port of entry. Payments are made through electronic payment machines which accept cash (US Dollars) and credit cards. After the payment is made, a unique receipt corresponding to the traveler's passport will be automatically generated. The receipt should then be presented to Immigration Officials along with the passport. Both the receipt and the passport will be stamped and handed back to the traveler. The receipt needs to be kept and surrendered to the relevant immigration officials when the traveler departs Botswana. The receipt will be valid for a 30 day period and can be used for multiple entry.
We have just been advised by the operating company that Table Mountain Aerial Cableway will be closed for maintenance from July 24 to August 6. If Table Mountain is part of your tour itinerary your guuide will drive you up Signal Hill, where you will enjoy similar, breathtaking views.
United States passport holders can now, officially, obtain a Visa upon arrival in Mozambique. We recommend that you bring $100 in small bills ($20) for this purpose. The fee is normally around $95, but it subject to change.
South African Airways has upgraded its business class offering on its new A330-300 aircraft, recently introduced on the Johannesburg-Washington route. The new seating is in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration and offers increased privacy and aisle access for all passengers. Extra wide, the seat reclines to a fully flat 180° and extends to 6'6". The economy-class seat has also been redesigned into a slim-line seat with extra personal space and leg-room.
The United States has issued a ban on most electronic devices, including cameras, on flights from certain hubs in the Middle East. The ban prohibits laptops, cameras, gaming devices and tablets from being allowed in the cabin of the flight. This ruling will affect passengers travelling on Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways.