First, get yourselves to Africa!
From 1st February 2012, Emirates will be flying 5 times a week (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sun) from Dubai to Lusaka and Harare.
From 15 May 2012, KLM will be flying three times a week (Tues, Thurs & Sat) from Amsterdam to Lusaka. As well as these flights KLM also have codeshare flights with Kenya Airways via Nairobi. Please see www.klm.com for fares and availability.
There are daily flights from Lusaka and Livingstone to Mfuwe with Proflight Zambia. Please contact Jess for up-to-date information on schedules, availability, last-minute specials and to make your flight bookings as she is a booking agent for the airline.
Full fares are as follows but cheaper fares are also sometimes to be found!:
- Lusaka to Mfuwe (in either direction) – $255 pp
- Livingstone to Mfuwe (in either direction) – $410 pp
- Livingstone to Lusaka (in either direction) – $235 pp
During the “green season” (before May and after October) there are slightly fewer flights but these aim to connect with incoming BA, SAA and KQ flights from London, Jo’burg and Nairobi respectively.
Nyassa Air Taxis provide a “seat in charter” rate for flights between Lilongwe and Mfuwe for $320 pp for a minimum of 2 passengers.
Nyassa Air and Ulendo Air are starting new scheduled services between Lilongwe in Malawi and Mfuwe. There are daily flights in each direction connecting with most major long haul carriers (SA, KQ & ET). Seats cost US$250-$255 per person each way plus airport taxes (see below)
YELLOW FEVER REQUIREMENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA
EFFECTIVE 1 OCTOBER 2011
As of 1 October 2011, all travellers from and to Zambia over the age of 1 year, will be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination (unless in possession of a valid waiver certificate). Vaccinations should be done a min of 10 days prior to departure. Please consult your nearest Travel Clinic for more info.
http://www.doh.gov.za/show.php?id=3047
http://www.doh.gov.za/docs/policy/2011/draft_yellowfever.pdf
Airport Departure Taxes
Not included in your ticket price is domestic airport departure taxes. For domestic flights, tax is $8 per person payable in US dollars or Zambian kwacha. Most international airlines now include international departure tax in their ticket cost, but Zambezi Airlines is one exception. International departure tax is $25 per person, payable in US dollars, cash only. Out of Lilongwe to Mfuwe, international departure tax is $30 per person, payable in US dollars cash only.
Travelling by Road
By road Lusaka to Chipata will take you 6-7 hours, Chipata to Flatdogs from 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. Please do not drive at night in Zambia, it is very unsafe due to the high proportion of vehicles and bicycles with no lights, aimless unfenced animals and drunks sleeping it off on the warm tarmac!
Directions for Driving to Flatdogs
Flatdogs Camp is the closest camp to the Mfuwe main gate. Our access road starts just before the park gate and we are five minutes drive from there. Please drive very slowly into and out of the camp; animals have the right of way!
From Lusaka, take the Great East Road to Chipata. You can get fuel in Petauke and Chipata on the way. Best to fill up before you head here, as fuel here in Mfuwe is much more expensive due to the monopoly BP has here.
The directions here are:
- Turn left to Mfuwe just before Fast Wheels motor parts (on your right). If you go into the town of Chipata, then you’ll need to head back along the Great East Road heading west (back towards Lusaka), then turn right 200m after Fast Wheels.
- Continue on the tarmac until road turns to dirt. The roads authority are working on the road so there should be more tarmac laid all the time.
- Follow the dirt for further approx 60 km. There is one stretch of tar road over the escarpment, but I’m afraid it doesn’t last long! Turn left at the sharp corner where there are signs for Mfuwe including one for Flatdogs! It looks as though the road continues straight on, but this is just because it has been graded better in the past; in fact the straight on road takes you to Luambe. There are a couple of blind sharp corners on this road, so take it easy where you can’t see what’s ahead of you as some of the NGO vehicles and cotton trucks take the road at about 100 km/hr with no sense of self preservation!
- Carry on through Jumbe, where you will see the council offices (and a flag) on your right, past Kamoto Hospital on your left, over a small bridge which was slightly washed away at the edges, then over a second stretch of tarmac on Mphata Hill.
- Carry on for a further 4 km and you will see a large green sign on the left for the Zambian Wildlife Authority. You can either turn left here down a much smaller dirt road which takes you to the airport (bank and post office) and brings you onto the (relatively) good tar road earlier. Or, you can also continue straight on on the main dirt road as this will just bring you out on the same tar road around 5 km closer to Mfuwe. We recommend you take the first option.
- Turn right onto the tar road whether you are at the airport or at the T-junction opposite the Zesco (electricity) sub-station. Please drive slowly past schools and bicycles. If you see some green branches lying in the road, this either means that there is a vehicle with a breakdown or that there is a funeral in progress. If it is the latter, please go dead slow in first gear (you will notice that even cyclists dismount) until you come to more branches. Proceed on tarmac for approx 25 km and you will pass a fuel station on your left and a sign for the South Luangwa Conservation Society on your right. Continue straight on, you will pass a sign for Flatdogs, then after a further kilometre or so, you will see our entrance ramp on your LEFT. Please engage a low gear and drive down the ramp very slowly, then follow the road for another 750 m and you will arrive at reception. Be aware that you might meet wildlife on any of the roads, so please drive slowly.
If you are coming to Flatdogs via public transport, please email us for the latest information.
Visa to Enter Zambia
Most nationalities can buy visas at the border of entry into Zambia. The cost for most foreign nationals (including UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most European countries) is US$50 per person.
If you are unsure of whether your nationality is able to buy a visa on entry then please contact us and we will let you know.