The past year has seen the introduction of new routes connecting regional destinations. Tourism Update rounds up the new routes on offer for travellers.

Johannesburg-Victoria Falls

Fastjet introduced flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls, March 25, 2016. The flights operate twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays, with a flight departing Johannesburg at 12h40 to arrive in Victoria Falls at 14h15. The return flight departs Victoria Falls at 14h55 to arrive in Johannesburg at 16h35.

The airline also now offers double-daily flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays between Johannesburg and Harare.

Nairobi-Livingstone-Cape Town

Kenya Airways launched its Nairobi to Cape Town via Livingstone route in July 2016. Flights operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flight departs Cape Town at 14h15 to arrive in Livingstone at 17h10. It departs for Nairobi at 18h00, arriving at 22h00. The return flight departs Nairobi at 07h20 to arrive in Livingstone at 09h30. It departs at 10h20 and arrives in Cape Town at 13h25.

Nairobi-Victoria Falls-Cape Town

Kenya Airways will operate three weekly flights from Nairobi to Victoria Falls from May 18. The service will be linked to the airline’s existing services to Cape Town.

The flight will depart in Nairobi at 07h20, arriving in Victoria Falls at 09h30. It will depart Victoria Falls at 10h20 and arrive in Cape Town at 13h25. The return flight will take off from Cape Town at 14h15 and arrive in Victoria Falls at 17h10. It will depart at 18h00 and land in Nairobi at 22h00. Kenya Airways has fifth freedom rights on the route.

Cape Town-Victoria Falls

Airlink will launch direct flights between Cape Town and Victoria Falls on July 2. Along with Kenya Airways, Airlink will be one of only two carriers offering direct services between the two destinations.

The flights will operate daily, except on Saturdays.

The flight departs from Cape Town International at 08h30 six times weekly, arriving in Victoria Falls International at 11h15. The early arrival in Victoria Falls allows travellers to enjoy an afternoon activity, or to travel comfortably onwards to destinations such as Hwange National Park.

The return flight departs Victoria Falls International at 11h45, arriving in Cape Town International at 14h40, allowing travellers to avoid peak traffic on arrival in Cape Town and to check in to their accommodation with ample time to enjoy the rest of their afternoon at leisure. 

Johannesburg-Nosy Be

On March 20, 2016, Airlink relaunched flights between Johannesburg and Nosy Be in Madagascar.

The new route operates once a week on Sundays, with the flight departing Johannesburg at 09h30 and arriving in Nosy Be at 14h00. The return flight departs Nosy Be at 14h45 and arrives in Johannesburg at 18h45.

“Due to the flight duration and prevailing headwinds there will be a scheduled en-route technical fuel stop in Beira on the return flight,” the airline said in a statement. The fuel stop was originally scheduled for Vilanculos.

The airline pulled its Nosy Be service in 2007 following poor demand on the route.

Durban-Gaborone-Windhoek

Since October 30, 2016, Air Namibia has operated four flights a week linking Windhoek, Gaborone, and Durban using Embraer ERJ 135. The flights will operate on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The flight departs Durban at 11h35 and arrives in Gaborone at 12h55. It then departs at 13h40 and arrives in Windhoek at 15h00.

The return flight departs Windhoek at 07h30 and arrives in Gaborone at 08h50. The flight departs Gaborone at 09h35 and arrives in Durban at 10h50.

Addis Ababa-Victoria Falls-Gaborone

From March, Ethiopian Airlines will service Gaborone via Victoria Falls. The route will operate four times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, using a Boeing 737-800. “The aircraft is configured with 16 business- and 138 economy-class seats,” said Abel Alemu, Regional Manager Southern Africa.

The flight will depart Addis Ababa at 08h35 and arrive in Victoria Falls at 12h15. It departs at 13h00 and arrives in Gaborone at 14h15. The return flight will depart from Gaborone at 15h00 and arrive in Addis Ababa at 21h30.

Ethiopian Airlines has fifth freedom rights on the route, allowing it to carry passengers from Victoria Falls to Gaborone.

Gaborone-Cape Town

Air Botswana resumed its service between Gaborone and Cape Town on February 26. Daphne Osenkeng, PR Officer, told Tourism Update that Air Botswana would fly to Cape Town four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The airline will also introduce additional flights between Gaborone and Kasane.