One of the biggest hindrances to exploring the amazing experiences right across our borders are the connecting flights & costs. Whilst we have covered how to drive between the countries, recent headlines means it is getting better to fly into AND between our neighbours
With all the personal points, like air miles and eBucks, to be gained, we know it is most often better value to be able to book flights direct with the airlines... but it is often hard to find who flies where and when!
READ: Why a Border Break Makes All the Difference
As a platform we focus on how to get the best value for our local spontaneous getaways and therefore it makes sense to focus on the destinations! And with these new routes added over the last 6 months there is no excuse!
Vic Falls to Maun News
Victoria Falls International Airport was recently upgraded to enable larger aircraft to land which opens up the skies to so many more possibilities! And whilst this is great news for our international visitors, for us regional tourists it is also a benefit as it allows us to "slipstream" in those emerging gaps!
Fastjet is a local airline carrier servicing flights across our neighbouring countries. This month they have announced a new route to connect Vic Falls to Maun, Botswana. This allows us locals to explore 2 of the Mother Natures Spectacles, right here in our own Continental Backyard! The impressive Vic Falls and then a hop across to Maun for the Okavango Delta!
EXPLORE: Rest of Africa Getaways
"We are thrilled to launch a scheduled service to Maun in Botswana from our evergrowing Victoria Falls tourism hub," says Nunurai Ndawana, fastjet Zimbabwe spokesperson. "We continue to strengthen Victoria Falls as a regional tourism hub and the introduction of this new flight service four times a week will connect two of Southern Africa’s most sought-after destinations, the Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta with a reliable scheduled air service"
Fastjet Zimbabwe's chief commercial officer, Vivian Ruwuya comments: "Victoria Falls remains one of our strategic destinations and this route adds to fastjet’s international presence in the region.
"To ensure the sustainable development of this route, we are going to adjust our size and operate the Maun flights using a dual fleet model of our Embraer ERJ145 aircraft and our partner’s Cessna Grand Caravan 208B. Both aircraft are known for their ability to provide the versatility to build a sustainable regional network with their right-size capacity."
Cape Town to Maputo
Finally for Cape Tonians a direct link between the Mother City and Mozambican shores, Maputo with the first ever scheduled direct service with 3 return flights each week with Airlink! Announced in September 2022, this makes accessing the incredible destinations in Mozambique even easier for local South Africans, and finally the standard Mauritius holiday has some competition!
In fact our very own member Tim Parsons touched on this connection frustration in his review of his post-COVID getaway to Azura Benguerra just a short helicopter flip away from the airport
READ: The Ultimate Beach Break | Azura Benguerra, Mozambique
"With this new Cape Town-Maputo service, Airlink is more than halving the travel time between two of the region's major cities. By making it easier and more efficient for people to do business Airlink will help to unlock fresh opportunities to boost trade commerce and tourism between the two markets. It is also in line with our strategy to increase our choice of connections from Cape Town with key business and tourism destinations throughout southern Africa," says Rodger Foster, Airlink CEO and managing director.
In addition to Maputo, Airlink operates direct regional flights connecting Cape Town with Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Harare, Victoria Falls and Maun.
Flight schedule
• The 4Z 489 flight departs Cape Town at 5.10pm and arrives in Maputo at 7.40pm (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday)
• The 4Z 490 flight departs Maputo at 6.10am and arrives in Cape Town at 9am (Monday, Thursday and Saturday)
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