Travelling to South Africa

Kruger, Vic Falls on the same day

18 June 2009

Following an enthusiastic response from research conducted at the Indaba travel expo in May, privately owned regional airline Airlink is to start flying between Nelspruit in South Africa's Mpumalanga province and Livingstone, Zambia from 17 August.

Airlink also announced that it would begin daily flights between Johannesburg and Beira, Mozambique as of 4 July.

The Kruger-Livingstone service, joining the gateways to the world-famous Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls, will initially operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with the aim of growing the frequency to correspond with demand.

Sought-after destinations

According to Airlink, the new route will allow travellers to enjoy the convenience of a direct flight between two of Africa's most sought-after destinations, allowing them to avoid having to connect through or stay overnight in Johannesburg.

"The opportunity is then for travellers to enjoy a game drive and breakfast at their bush lodge [in Mpumalanga] before travelling to Livingstone and enjoying, on the same day, an evening sunset cruise on the Zambesi," the company said in a statement this month.

Return travellers would be able to do the opposite, enjoying breakfast and a walk along the Victoria Falls in the morning before departing for the Kruger National Park later in the day.

"As the leisure market moves towards its peak season both locally and internationally, tour operators will welcome the idea to promote a combination of fly-in packages including Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban to Kruger and Livingstone, ensuring travellers receive the best of both," Airlink said.

Daily Beira flights

Airlink also announced that it would begin daily flights between Johannesburg and Beira, Mozambique as of 4 July, in response to traveller demand.

According to the airline, there has been a growing demand from leisure travellers to the Gorongoza Park in Mozambique, as well as an increase in weekend shoppers from Mozambique looking to visit Johannesburg.

"While capacity is relatively limited, at 37 seats in each direction per day, the daily frequency provides business travellers with complete travel schedule flexibility."

SAinfo reporter