Several years ago I won a free trip to a Zambian lodge on the Zambezi, a few kilometres up from the Victoria Falls.
The prize included two nights’ accommodation, fares and airport pick-up, and gave me the opportunity to introduce one of Africa’s great sights to my 12-year-old son.
Fortunately someone suggested I extend the stay by another two nights, which I paid for myself, so that my free trip ended up costing me several thousand rand. But it was fortunate because, by the time we had flown from Cape Town to Joburg, waited for a connecting flight to Livingston, and finally arrived at the lodge, it was sunset and our first day was over. Two nights would have given us just one full day at the falls, which would have been way too short for all the wonderful things you can do there.
Zambezi Airlines has solved this problem by introducing, from June 30, non-stop flights from Cape Town to Livingston three times a week. This means you will leave Cape Town at 8am, arrive at Livingston Airport at 11.10am, and be unpacked and ready to explore the delights of the region by lunchtime.
Announcing the new flights at a media lunch at the Table Bay Hotel last week, the airline’s commercial director, Sidney Siwabamundi, said with thousands of tourists arriving in Cape Town from around the world, the new route would provide an opportunity to include a visit to the falls during their stay. There was also excitement in Lusaka and Livingston at the prospect of easily accessible visits to Cape Town.
The route will continue to Lusaka, making life easier for business people flying between the two cities. After a brief stop-over at Livingston, the onward flight to Lusaka will take just 35 minutes.
Flights from Cape Town will leave on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, returning on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (leaving Livingston at 2pm and so giving you a few extra hours on the morning of your last day).
The return fares will be about R2 800 or $400, including taxes.
Zambezi Airlines, which offers a national and regional service, took to the skies in July 2008. It has a fleet of three Boeing 737-500 aircraft configured for 99 economy and 12 business seats.
p For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call Jacques Verster at Mortimer Harvey on 083 276 9009. - Weekend Argus