Proflight Zambia has announced scheduled flights 3 times a week between Lusaka and Chunga Airstrip, in the central sector of the Kafue National Park, from June 1st, 2024. 

This improves access to a number of Lodges in Kafue.

The pricing is very attractive and provides a long awaited alternative to charter flights.  

1. Proflight Zambia has launched the first ever direct flights between Lusaka and Cape Town. Proflight will operate the new route using its 50-seat CRJ jet, giving a flying time of 3 hours 15 minutes. Initially the service will operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On other days passengers can continue to Cape Town via Proflight’s three-times-a-day service between Lusaka and Johannesburg and then onwards with its partner airlines Safair, Cemair and South African Airways.

Tuesdays and Saturdays
Lusaka - Cape Town 8 -11:30am
Cape Town - Lusaka 12:15 - 15:35pm

2. Zambia Airways Spread its Wings into South Africa

The Lusaka-based airline, with its hub at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, currently flies from Lusaka to the Zambian domestic destinations of Livingstone, Solwezi, and Ndola.

From June 1, the carrier will debut five flights per week to Johannesburg, using a Boeing 737-700 in both business and economy class. Flights will become daily return flights on July 1st.

On Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Saturday, ZN0305 departs Lusaka at 07h00 and arrives OR Tambo at 09h00. The returning flight, ZN0304, departs OR Tambo at 09h45 and arrives Lusaka at 11h45.

On Friday, ZN0305 departs Lusaka at 13h30 and arrives OR Tambo at 15h30. The Friday returning flight, ZN0304, departs OR Tambo at 16h15 and arrives Lusaka at 18h15.

The governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, officially establishing the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA).

“This agreement reflects their dedication to enhanced cross-border protection, demonstrating international co-operation in the face of global environmental challenges,” reads a joint statement from the governments.

Spread across 18 515 sqkm in the Zambezi River basin below Lake Kariba, the TFCA encompasses vital conservation territories, including the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia and the Unesco World Heritage Site, Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe.

It also comprises a variety of game and safari management areas, communal land, and conservancies. The Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area serves as a critical pathway for wildlife between the escarpment and the Zambezi River.

Peace Parks Foundation commended both governments for their “visionary commitment and leadership” in conservation and sustainable development.

The Emerald Season is arguably the most underrated time of the year for  travel in Zambia. From November to April the Luangwa Valley in particular is transformed into a lush wonderland thanks to the seasonal rains. The Luangwa River is at its fullest and the South Luangwa National Park becomes inundated with excess water, which results in some exceptional boating safaris, walks and the occasional drive. It’s a period of rejuvenation for nature, but also a chance to get away from the usual safari season and take advantage of some attractive green season deals - it is also a phenomenal time for birding.

For Twitchers the South Luangwa is held in high esteem, as it is home to over 450 species. During the Emerald Season, there is the bonus of several species of migratory birds such as the Palearctic migrants from Northern Europe and the intra-African migrants. These visitors include the Red chested Cuckoo, Eurasian swallows, swifts, hobbies and several Bee-eaters, as well as birds of prey such as the Steppe eagles and even Steppe buzzards, that come all the way from Russia. In addition there are the Amur Falcons which also come in from the steppes of Russia in their thousands, a flight of over 7 000 kilometres.

One of the most sought after birds to see, on most twitchers' wish list is the delightful African Pitta. This extremely elusive migratory bird arrives in mid to late November and loves to live in the dense thickets making it difficult to spot. Their distinctive call however is what usually alerts to their location and you are often rewarded with a fleeting glimpse and if lucky a photo opportunity. Timing is critical though as the moment the pittas start breeding, they stop ‘calling’.

During the green season, it’s not just the landscape that undergoes a colourful transformation. As it's breeding season, the birdlife also gets an extra burst of colour, with the males proudly showing off their breeding plumage. The Stork Colony up at Nsefu is in full swing during the green season and the yellow billed storks proudly display their crimson breeding plumage as do the Sacred Ibis.

The sky is filled with colours with birds such as the African Ground Hornbill, a variety of Kingfishers, Lilac Breasted Rollers and Lilian’s Lovebirds.

Contact us for some exception Safaris - as there are some great offerings from Robin Pope Safaris.

The Zambian Department of Immigration has announced the waiver of all visa fees (including day trip visas), for Australia, Canada, China, European Union, Gulf States (Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States of America, effective 1st November 2022. This visa policy adjustment is pursuant to Statutory Instrument Number 68 of 2022.

The waiver only applies to the visa ‘fee’ requirement. All other visa requirements, including the need to apply for visas before travelling and obtaining visas on arrival, as the case may be, shall still apply, the only change being that nationals of the above-listed countries will not pay for the visas.

With regards the KAZA UNIVISA (the visa that allows easier travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia), the fee will still be applicable.