New Flight From Mfuwe
 

For those going to South Luangwa, Zambian Air has a new early morning flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka coinciding with BA flights, so no more needing to overnight in Lusaka!

Dennis,

That is great news!

And for the record, there is also an early morning flight from Lower Zambezi back to Lusaka to connect with the British Airways flight to London. Given that the Lower Zambezi flight departs at 6:15AM, I think the South Luangwa flight must depart at 5:30AM and take off in the dark!

Rocco/dennis......thanks......

That would mean, missing the final morning's drive.......personally, having spent a lot of money on whatever camp of choice, i would spend a little more to overnight in Lusaka and fly out the next day. Thereby, utilizing the final morning's activity.

Hari

I agree with Hari. The game drives must be considered, that's why I'm there. When I leave or arrive in camp I want a game drive that day. Morning or afternoon. Otherwise I'm just getting a very expensive room for the night.
regards - tom

Certainly good to know! Thanks Dennis!

Looking at the schedule the early Mfuwe to Lusaka flight leaves on T/TH/Sat at 6:30 a.m. and arrives Lusaka at 7:30 a.m. I believe the BA flight to London leaves at 8:45 a.m. Seems a bit tight for an international flight, but probably doable since they have specifically scheduled this flight to cooincide with the BA flight. Anyone have thoughts?

GreenDrake,

I agree that it is a little bit tight on the timing. However, given the relative small size of the Lusaka Airport, it should be okay.

Now perhaps the Lower Zambezi to Lusaka flight should be moved from 6:15AM to 7AM? This would allow a few more moments to soak it all in.

Regarding the debate on whether to stay in Lusaka the final night or not, I would not be opposed to sacrificing my final drive just in order to go home directly from the South Luangwa or Lower Zambezi. Already, Americans will have at least one mandatory night in London, so to have a mandatory in Lusaka, followed by a mandatory in London is not the easiest way to get home. Much better to have that second night and spend two nights in London. This situation may be avoided by flying back to Joburg, but I, for one, don't like flying the opposite direction, only to have a minimum of about a six hour layover, and then to fly right back north again. While the British Airways flight will have passengers back in London by 5PM, those returning to Johannesburg will still be at the JNB airport at that time! :(

For you experts: How would this flight dovetail with the direct SSA flight back to the East Coast? Thanks!

Cooncat,

The early Mfuwe - Lusaka flight is meaningless for anyone requiring a return to Joburg for reasons I stated in my previous response. For someone wanting to spend time exclusively in Zambia, it does not make sense to fly down to South Africa. Much better to fly direct into Lusaka from London, and usually much cheaper also, as you no longer need to buy a seat from JNB - Lusaka.

I see... Dennis was telling me about this BA flight as well so I checked into it for November (just for giggles) and the BA flight was like $3,000! This was on Expedia.

OK I was wrong. I think I was adding up my total from NE to Lusaka. My only problem is that I'm a United Mileage Plus member and now that SAA is a partner I'd be loony not to go that route!

Hari/Carey~ instead of seeing it as missing the morning game drive, i see it as spending another day/night at a lodge (2 game drives) and no traffic or hassles going to a Lusaka hotel then back to the airport. Nothing much to do in Lusaka anyway. If staying at LRL for 6 nights, the 6th is free, so you'd get a night in a lodge, 2 game drives all for free! I'd plan my last night in Africa there instead of Lusaka. And I'm sure on the way to the airport, there will be some animals out and about. Zambian Air planned this flight to coincide with the BA flight, so the timing must be o.k. and doable. The Lusaka airport is small and easy to get through.

((@)) i checked prices on orbitz and saa website. ba jfk-lun=$1540 rt. saa jfk-lun=$1506 but requires an overnight in Johannisburg. the ba arrives lusaka around 7:00 a.m. in time to do a morning game drive, then to the lodge for brunch. the saa arrives lusaka at 1:30 p.m. so you'd miss the morning game drive.

Thank you Dennis! ((@))

But... doesn't the BA flgiht require a layover or overnight in London?

((@)) going, just a layover, enough time for a blitz ;) to a restaurant with Julian, Kavey. Coming back only a 3.5 hour layover, no overnighting needed. I'll meet ya in London next year, then we'll continue on to Lusaka together?!

I'M THERE!

Agreed Dennis, but, to me personally, that particular flight doesnt make sense as i wont be flying to London.

Hari

then we'll meet you in Lusaka Hari!