South Africans will have a new direct flight option to Zambia, with FlySafair launching a new regional route between Johannesburg and Lusaka.

The airline will operate flights between OR Tambo International Airport and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport five times a week, adding another connection between the two neighbouring countries.

Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Full Johannesburg–Lusaka, Zambia flight schedule

The new regional route will operate according to the following schedule:

RouteDepartureArrivalDaysJohannesburg → Lusaka07:50 from OR Tambo09:50 in LusakaMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, SundayLusaka → Johannesburg10:50 from Kenneth Kaunda12:50 at OR TamboMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday

All times are local.

What flights will cost

Fares start at R2 800 for flights from Johannesburg to Lusaka and R3 000 for return flights, excluding surcharges.

Fares are subject to availability and may change.

FlySafair says the route was introduced in response to demand for travel between the two cities.

“Zambia has long been on our radar, and Lusaka is a route our customers have been asking about,” said Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair. 

“The Johannesburg–Lusaka corridor carries a significant mix of business and leisure travellers, as well as South Africans and Zambians travelling to see family and friends. We’re proud to bring our fares and our reliability to this route and to make the connection between our two countries more accessible than it has been.” Gordon added.

More options for Zambia travel

Lusaka is not only Zambia’s capital but also an important business and transport hub for the region.

The new route will give South African travellers direct access to the capital, while Lusaka also serves as a gateway to destinations including Livingstone and Victoria Falls, the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa national parks.

The route could also appeal to business travellers, with Zambia and South Africa having significant commercial and investment ties.

The new route also comes with relatively straightforward entry requirements for South African travellers.

South African passport holders do not need a visa to enter Zambia for visits. South Africa is included on Zambia’s official list of nationalities exempt from visa requirements.

Zambia’s immigration authorities state that ordinary visitors and tourists can be granted up to 90 days within a 12-month period, although the actual period granted is determined on entry.

Travellers should still have a valid passport, with Zambia requiring at least six months’ validity from the date of entry and three blank pages.