News Bulletin of 9 January 2026, 7am

South Africa is celebrating strong praise in a new 2026 Safari Bookings survey, with 12 of its parks ranked among Africa’s Top 50 safari destinations.
Travellers and expert guides from around the world recognised the country’s rich wildlife experiences, putting it ahead of Kenya and Tanzania in the overall count.
Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve led the local success story by placing fourth globally, thanks to its reliable leopard sightings and conservation work.
Kruger National Park also earned high marks for its vast landscapes, healthy Big Five populations and easy access for visitors.
The results highlight South Africa’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s most rewarding places for unforgettable safari adventures.

Johannesburg will gain a new international link when Air Europa launches Madrid–Joburg flights in June.
The Spanish airline will operate the route three times a week.
The new service follows Spain’s aviation authority granting Air Europa traffic rights in 2025 and adds to growing airline activity in the city.
Over the past year, Qantas introduced a direct Perth route, Airlink opened a Johannesburg–Zanzibar service, and Cathay Pacific increased its Hong Kong flights.

The SPAR Proteas will kickstart 2026 with a SPAR Challenge three-test match series against Vitality Roses later this month at Ellis Park Indoor Arena in Johannesburg.
The last time South Africa faced England at home was back in 2023 during the Quad Series in Cape Town before facing them again during the Netball World Cup in the same year.
Head Coach Jenny van Dyk says players are hard at work preparing for this challenge and there are a few players that they are looking at that may be brought into the squad.