For many years Zambia was challenging in terms of air accessibility, however with airlines introducing new flights, both domestic and international, the country is increasingly easier to reach.

 “With direct flights to Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, from London, Europe and Dubai, and cheap connecting flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, it is a quick and easy transit to Livingstone,” says Vanessa Nielsen, Marketing Manager for Safari Par Excellence (Safpar), referring to the Victoria Falls’ popularity as a premier tourist attraction. Livingstone is a short 1h10 flight from Lusaka.

Cathlyn Grieb, Digital Marketing Assistant at Bushtracks Africa, says there are several good airlines that offer international flights into Zambia, as well as domestic flights within the country.

Within Zambia, it may be difficult to reach certain areas by road. “It is advisable to fly to certain destinations or lodges on a chartered flight, as there are many private airstrips in popular tourist areas,” adds Grieb.

Airlink operates direct flights to Zambia. According to Karin Murray, Marketing and Sales Manager for Airlink, the airline operates flights between Nelspruit’s Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) and Livingstone, from Mondays through to Saturdays, promoting bush and Falls packages.

Airlink also flies daily from Johannesburg to both Lusaka and Ndola.

Herman Miles, Director of Wildlife Camp Zambia, says Proflight, Mahogany Air and Royal Air Charters, all fly internally.

Proflight Zambia recently introduced a new route between Lusaka and Harare. The flight operates every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Lusaka at 06h45, and landing in Harare at 07h55. The return flight leaves Harare at 08h25, and arrives in Lusaka at 09h35.

In addition, Miles says Ulendo now operates flights between Zambia and Malawi.

Scheduled options to Livingstone Airport (LVI)

• Kenya Airways (KQ) from Nairobi (NBO): Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday.
• Kenya Airways from Cape Town (CPT): Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday.
• British Airways operated by Comair (BA) from Johannesburg (JNB),: daily
• South African Airways (SA) from Johannesburg (JNB): daily
• Airlink (SA) from Nelspruit (MQP): daily
• Proflight (PO) from Lusaka (LUN): multiple flights daily 

Zambia is also set to revive its national carrier this year, and plans are firmly on course, according to Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Brian Mushimba. Zambia Airways is expected to launch its inaugural flight on October 24, despite delays to finalise stakeholder agreements. Earlier this year the national carrier entered into a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, in which Zambia Airways holds 55% of the shares and Ethiopian Airlines 45%.

The national airline will operate as Zambia Airways 2014 Limited, succeeding the defunct Zambia Airways which was was liquidated in 1994.