Flight Schedule:

• Cape Town to Livingstone: Departs 12:00, arrives 14:50 (P0 051)
• Livingstone to Cape Town: Departs 08:10, arrives 11:10 (P0 050)
• Operates Thursdays and Sundays
• Additional Saturday flights: December 1st – January 5th holiday season

“Our timing is specifically designed around the tourism experience,” says Proflight Zambia Director of Flight Operations Captain Josias Walubita. “Passengers can leave Cape Town after breakfast and be at Victoria Falls in time for an afternoon sunset cruise. The morning departure from Livingstone also means Capetonians can be back at their desks before lunch.”

The service offers dual benefits: tourism access to Victoria Falls and enhanced business connectivity to Lusaka, with passengers to Zambia’s capital remaining onboard during a brief Livingstone stopover. The new routing increases seat availability on the popular Lusaka-Cape Town route and features improved baggage allowances.

The Zambian side of Victoria Falls offers unique experiences, including the Devil’s Pool swim (available mid-September to early January), exclusive Livingstone Island tours, and microlight flights over the Falls. 

For those looking to explore further, Livingstone serves as a gateway to Zambia’s pristine safari destinations, with connections available to various wildlife reserves.

South African passport holders benefit from visa-free entry to Zambia, reducing immigration queues. This streamlined access, combined with the new direct flight, makes Victoria Falls more accessible than ever for Cape Town residents.

Early booking incentives are now available.

The experts at Flight Centre share their tips for booking a cost-effective Easter escape:

1. Fly or Drive?

One of the most significant decisions a traveller must make is whether to fly or drive. While the answer largely depends on individual factors, there are a few general rules of thumb to follow.

Flying is generally the most cost-effective option if travelling alone to a city or hub. If travelling as a couple, it could go either way, depending on the distance and the fuel economy of the couple’s car. If travelling with kids, a road trip may be the way to go.

To get an idea of the cost difference between driving and flying, Top Auto conducted an experiment last year comparing the cost of driving from Johannesburg to popular South African destinations, Durban and Cape Town, to the cost of flying. The experiment looked at three cars with varying levels of fuel economy: a Ford Ranger 3.2TDCi Double Cab 4×4 XLT Auto, a Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Xs, and a VW Polo 1.0TSI 70kW Life.

Keeping in mind that fuel prices have increased slightly since the experiment was conducted, for a round trip from Johannesburg to Durban, the cost of driving ranged from R1,998 for the VW Polo to R2,668 for the Ford Ranger. For a round trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town, the cost of driving ranged from R3,744 for the VW Polo to R5,316 for the Ford Ranger.

However, flight prices are subject to more fluctuations and can vary significantly from airline to airline. Currently, flight prices per person for a round trip from Johannesburg to Durban range from* R2,253 to R4,008 depending on the airline, while flight prices per person for a round trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town range from* R4,848 to R7,060.

If travelling with multiple people, the cost of flying can quickly add up. However, if a traveller is set on flying, being flexible with their travel dates can help reduce costs. For example, departing from Johannesburg to Cape Town just one week later can result in a much cheaper flight, with prices starting at* R3,497 per adult return ticket from Johannesburg to Cape Town and R1,674 per adult return ticket from* Johannesburg to Durban.

2. Be clever about accommodation choice

Travellers should look for all-inclusive holiday packages and special combo flight and accommodation deals.  “The savings offered in these instances could certainly tip the scales regarding cost-effectiveness and your mode of travel, especially if the deal involves accommodation where kids under 12 years old stay for free,” advises Antoinette Turner, General Manager of Flight Centre South Africa.

Many hotels and resorts also offer interleading, larger or adjoining family rooms, which can help to save money.

3. Use a travel expert

Travel experts can access exclusive deals unavailable to the general public. This means they can often offer discounted rates on flights, accommodation, and activities that a traveller might not be able to find on their own. Travel experts also have quite a few tricks up their sleeves regarding the best times to book, the best destinations to visit, and the most cost-effective ways to travel. By using a travel expert, travellers can tap into this expertise and make the most of their budget.

4. Be flexible

With just days to go before Easter, it pays to be flexible. Popular tourist destinations are often more expensive, so it’s a good idea for prospective holidaymakers to consider exploring alternative locations and hidden gems that are just as enjoyable and cost less.

5. Plan as much as possible

The opportunity for advance booking might be out of the window, but there are still a few ways for travellers to cut costs. If flying, it’s possible to buy extra baggage online ahead of time. This is cheaper than doing so at the airport. It’s also easy to plan activities in advance. Many tourist attractions offer discounts for advance bookings. Of course, another option is to look for free or low-cost activities such as hiking, visiting local markets, or exploring museums.

Prospective Easter holidaymakers can find flight tickets and holiday packages at www.flightcentre.co.za or contact 0877 405 000 to speak to a Flight Centre Travel Expert.

*at the time of writing this article

For more information about Flight Centre, or to interview Flight Centre South Africa GM Antoinette Turner, call Kim Taylor on 076 825 5508 or kim@bigambitions.co.za

Until now, getting to the island destination involved taking charter flights or flying into Dar Es Salaam or Nairobi and transferring from there. However, with the introduction of FlySafair’s new weekly flight, it is back on the map as an attractive destination for South African travellers.

“Zanzibar is now within reach for many more South Africans, thanks to this direct, convenient and affordable flight option. We believe this route will become a popular choice for those seeking an alternative to other Indian Ocean destinations, just as it was when Mango Airlines operated their popular route from Johannesburg to Zanzibar,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager at Flight Centre.

According to Turner, Zanzibar is generally more affordable as a destination compared to Mauritius, although this can vary based on the type of accommodation you choose.

“Flight Centre experienced a surge in demand for Tanzania as a travel destination between July to November 2022. With the availability of new flight options, we are excited to provide Flight Centre customers with exciting deals with our partners in 2023,” says Turner.

FlySafair has confirmed that the high demand for chartered flights to Zanzibar was the primary factor that motivated them to add this route to their schedule. The new direct route offers similar time savings, but is more affordable.

The new FlySafair service to Zanzibar was announced on March 13. Bookings for the route, which connects OR Tambo (JNB) and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar will commence on April 8. The flights will initially operate once a week, with a same-day return. FlySafair has scheduled the weekly flight for Saturdays, and airfares will start from R2 950 one way.

“The timing of this new route is perfect, as it provides South African holidaymakers with more options to enjoy their Easter break and plan ahead for the winter holidays. Data analysis indicates that the months of March and April experience peak levels of occupancy with the highest number of room nights booked and we predict families with school-going children will also take advantage of the packages we will offer for June and July,” remarks Turner.

The most popular properties in Zanzibar for South Africans, according to Flight Centre, are Uroa Bay Beach Resort, Paradise Beach Resort & Spa and Zanzibar Bay Resort & Spa on the east coast; Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Hotel on the west coast; and Hotel Riu Jambo in the north of the island.

Turner has the following recommendations for those looking to book for the Easter break or beyond, all of which have all-inclusive options:

• The reasonably-priced Uroa Bay Beach Resort allows you to fully enjoy all that Zanzibar has to offer as a group or family. Opting for a half-board package can come in handy if you plan to venture out of your resort and explore, as it enables you to have quick, on-the-go lunches without feeling obligated to return to eat.
• For honeymooners, the Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Hotel, which offers an all-inclusive package along with a range of amazing activities, is ideal. The resort’s scenic beauty also makes for some stunning photographs that honeymooners can take back as souvenirs for their families. Further north, the all-inclusive Hotel Riu Jambo is another stunning option for couples and families.
• If you’re looking for a diverse range of experiences, Zanzibar Bay Resort & Spa and Paradise Beach Resort & Spa are great options to consider. As they are sister resorts, travellers can easily switch between the two for meals and activities with prior arrangements.

For more information about Flight Centre, or to interview Flight Centre South Africa GM Antoinette Turner, call Kim Taylor on 076 825 5508 or kim@bigambitions.co.za.