Dear Valued Client
With Easter approaching we sincerely hope that you, your family and loved ones are keeping safe and healthy. May your Easter basket be filled with joy, happiness and peace.
“Be strong now, because things will get better. It might be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever” – Author Unknown
We are truly grateful to you for choosing us as your best travel service provider. Your faith in us is greatly appreciated.
Our team
Choices Travel
We continue to work remotely and assure you that we are fully operational. We moved out of our office at 885 Justice Mahommed Street Brooklyn. Meeting with clients is by appointment only or telephonic.
You are welcome to contact us for any travel arrangements via email or contact numbers below:
Contact number: 012 4259960/63/64 or 082 893 4263
Remember our social media platforms
Website: www.choicestravel.co.za
We would love to hear from you! We have an enquiry form added to the website. Contact us for any information or country specific packages you may be interested in.
Facebook: Choices Travel
Twitter: @ChoicesTravel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choices.travel/
Days closed
Choices Travel will be closed 22 March, 2, 5 & 27 April. You may contact Mariana on 082 893 4263 for any emergency booking on days closed and after hours. After hour fees will be applicable for non-emergency bookings.
Covid-19 Level 1 Travel restrictions
South Africa has officially moved back to COVID-19 lockdown Level 1. This was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his address to the nation on 28 February.
Re-opening of borders
There has been no change with regard to further borders being opened. The 20 land borders which are operational, will remain opened, while the 33 land borders which were closed, will remain closed.
Air Travel
Air travel is restricted to the following airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport:
- King Shaka International Airport;
- Cape Town International Airport:
- Lanseria International Airport; and
- Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.
Long -haul flight departures and landings are permitted during the hours of curfew.
All international travellers arriving at the airports must provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID –19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel.
In the event of the traveller’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative COVID -19 test, the traveller will be required to do an antigen test on arrival at his or her own cost and in the event of a traveller testing positive for COVID -19, he or she will be required to isolate him or herself at his or her own cost for a period of 10 days.
Hotels
Hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, timeshare facilities. resorts and guest houses are allowed full capacity of the available rooms for accommodation, with patrons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other when in common spaces.
Gatherings
Under Level 1, gatherings are permitted guided under strict COVID-19 regulations and protocols:
- Indoor gatherings may not exceed 50% of the venue capacity, up to a maximum of 100 people.
- Outdoor gatherings may not exceed 50% of the venue capacity, up to a maximum of 250 people.
Attendance at funerals is limited to a maximum number of 100 people for indoor gatherings and 250 people for outdoor gatherings. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.
Every person, when attending a gathering and in order to limit exposure to COVID-19 must:
(a) wear a face mask
(b) adhere to all health protocols
(c) maintain a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other; and
(d) adhere to any other health protocols and social distancing measures as provided.
Curfew
The nationwide curfew has been relaxed and will now be from 00h00 to 4am. Apart from permitted workers, no person may be outside their place of residence during curfew.
Establishments, including restaurants and bars, will need to close by no later than 23h00 in order to ensure their customers and staff are able to return home prior to the start of the curfew.
Alcohol
The sale of alcohol will be permitted, according to normal licence provisions. However, no alcohol may be sold during the hours of curfew.
Wearing of masks
The adjusted Level 3 regulations made every individual legally responsible for wearing a mask in public, and this requirement remains unchanged. A person who does not wear a cloth mask covering over the nose and mouth in a public place will be committing an offence and is at the risk of being arrested and prosecuted. On conviction, they will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.
ASATA will continue to monitor the situation and share updated information as it becomes available.
Information provided by ASATA 05 March 2021
Domestic Travel
The following domestic airlines are operational:
- FlySafair
- Airlink
- British Airways Comair
- Cemair
- Kulula
- Lift
We are very excited to let you know that our low-cost airline brand kulula.com has opened bookings and will restart operations at Lanseria International Airport from 1 April 2021, servicing the Durban and Cape Town routes.
Airlink will resume daily scheduled air services between Johannesburg and Maseru from 29 March 2021.
This follows the re-opening of Lesotho’s borders and the lifting of travel restrictions that curtailed travel between the neighbouring countries while they both worked to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.
Airlink has launched a convenient new direct service between Cape Town and Walvis Bay, which commenced on 02 March 2021. The new route is Airlink’s third between South Africa and Namibia, with other services linking Cape Town and Windhoek in addition to flights from Johannesburg to Windhoek and Walvis Bay. Airlink will operate weekday flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Airlink resumed scheduled air services between Johannesburg and Sishen in the Northern Cape on 15 February 2021. The route was relaunched to provide vital air connectivity to the crucial iron ore mining centre. Airlink will operate weekday flights on Mondays and Thursdays.
Airlink regrets to announce the further suspension of its service between Johannesburg and Nose Be, Madagascar, up until 27 June 2021.
Regional
We are delighted to announce that our full-service brand, British Airways (operated by Comair), is reopening regional flights to one of Southern Africa’s favourite destinations, Harare, starting 28 March 2021.
International
Any person having been physically present in the Republic of South Africa, Reunion Island, Mayotte Island or Brazil within the last 15 days preceding the date of arrival in Mauritius will not be allowed entry or transit in the Republic of Mauritius. This restriction is applicable until 31st of May 2021.
Operators and agents report that Zanzibar bookings are selling like hotcake, as it is one of the few destinations that remains completely open for travel for South Africans.
Emirates has announced the resumption of daily passenger services to Johannesburg, effective from March 11, 2021, but this service appears to be in-bound only.
SAA has confirmed that all international routes will be cancelled until the end of October 2021.
The Western Cape government – through its Cape Town Air Access (CTAA) team – has secured an agreement with TAP Air Portugal for a direct flight to Cape Town, starting from November.
Travel Insurance
Living in these interesting times, it is of paramount importance that all travellers avail themselves of travel insurance to best suit their travel needs.
Travelling
Dinokeng
Kwalata Game Lodge
Situated in the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve was established in 1994 as a youth camp that focused on environmental education and leadership development. The camp has become a vibrant lodge hosting local, international and corporate guests. It is the perfect malaria-free stopover, only half hour drive from Pretoria and 1 hour drive north of OR Thambo Airport.
Kwalata offers weekend breakaways in beautiful chalets, conference packages (Sable room, Hadida Room and Nkwe Hall) weddings, teambuilding, guided bush walks, game drive safaris.
Kubu a la carte Restaruant open weekends and public holidays from 07h00 – 22h00.
Dinokeng Game Reserve entry tariffs
Vehicle entrance fee: R50 per vehicle.
Conservation fees: R80 per adult and R50 per child 2-12 years
Applicable if you stay longer than 1 hour
Self-drive route Permit (R50 vehicle entrance fee already included in the self-drive permit price).
1 Day – R250 / R125 pensioner’s permit
2 Days – R380 / R190 pensioner’s permit
7 Days – R450 / R225 pensioner’s permit
Pensioner terms: Must have RSA ID/present age 60 and above
(prices quoted are current and subject to change)
4* Protea Hotel by Marriott @ Kruger Gate Bush Escape
A lodge-style hotel situated on the banks of the scenic Sabie River offering an affordable luxury bush getaway with soaring walkways and treetop ambiance.
Package includes 3 nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner
Value add: 20% Discount voucher per person to be used at the Spa, drinks voucher to the value of R99 per person, per stay for the Ebony viewing deck, a bottle of wine served with dinner in the Lapa restaurant once per stay, free wi-fi.
From R2804 per person sharing. Valid 31 March – 31 Aug 2021 / book and pay by 31 March
Quote reference: TH/285319
Easter at Ulusaba (in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve)
Southern African residents can escape for a special three-night retreat to either Ulusaba or Mont Rochelle for the Easter school holidays! Be prepared for a fun-packed schedule for the whole family to enjoy!
Enjoy a stay over the Easter school holidays and enjoy Easter treats and traditional foods, pancakes in the bush, surprise from the Easter Bunny, a very special Easter cocktail, a fancy-dress Easter Egg hunt.
Family rates are from ZAR18, 000 per night accommodating up to two adults and two children staying in either a River Room with a plunge pool, Rock Suite or Makwela Suite. Based on a minimum 3-night stay. Rates are inclusive of your luxury accommodation, twice-daily game drives, all food and drink (including South African branded beverages) and more!
Easter at Mont Rochelle (Franschhoek)
Stay at Mont Rochelle over the Easter weekend school holidays and enjoy Easter-themed biscuit making and icing, a glow in the dark Easter Egg hunt, a themed breakfast buffet, a Easter egg treasure hunt, fresh hot cross buns from the Country Kitchen, our speciality cocktail, the ‘Mocha Cooler’
Family rates are from Zar5,000 per night in our Pinotage suites, based on two adults and up to two children (under the age of 12) sharing. Based on a minimum of a 3-night stay.
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat near Clanwilliam
Self-drive from R7 112-00 per person, per night sharing valid until 30 April 2021.
2-night stay in a luxury room, breakfast, lunch, dinner daily, afternoon high tea, dinner for 2 in a surprise location.
Quote reference: TH/2838065
The Oyster Box Umhlanga Rocks
Self-drive from R4 714-00 per person, per night sharing valid until 19 December 2021.
2-night stay in a classic garden room, breakfast daily with freshly harvested oysters and sparkling wine, one cocktail or mocktail per person, Marine World ticket (Entrance to Sea World), scheduled transfer to/from Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
Change your room to a sea-facing room and add a curry plated dinner per person per stay from R5072-00 per person, per night sharing.
Quote reference: TH/2865110 and TH/2865132
Zanzibar
Looking for a wallet-free and hassle-free holiday? Relax knowing that your meals and drinks are taken care of. Contact us for your all-inclusive selection in Zanzibar which offers something for everyone.
Victoria Falls
FastJet are resuming their 3 times weekly (TUESDAY/THURSDAY/SUNDAY) flights between JNB and VIC FALLS, commencing on 16 March 2021. A selection of packages available valid until 30 June 2021 All product is subject to the operation of all services at the time of travel and correct as of 15 February 2021. We have both the BASIC Bed & Breakfast package as well as the MORE INCLUSIVE option.
3 nights at The Kingdom Hotel 3* from R7949-00 per person sharing (basic package) or R11 680 per person sharing (inclusive package)
3 nights at Vic Falls Safari Lodge 4* from R7945-00 per person sharing (basic package) or R11 445-00 per person sharing (inclusive package)
3 nights at Vic Falls Safari Club 5* from R13 110-00 per person sharing inclusive package only.
Package includes: Return airfare Jnb-Victoria Falls -Jnb, all taxes (R2764 at current rate of exchange), transfers, breakfast daily, sunset cruise, guided tour of the falls, park fees and for the inclusive package 3 hotel dinners.
Valid 16 March – 30 June 2021
Email or contact us for more information, availability and terms & conditions on any of the above. All quotations are subject to availability at time of reservation, increase and change.
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat” Laura Ingalls Wilder
