Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
Air
Proflight
(
www.proflight-zambia.com
)
has twice daily flights (in the high season) on
four-, eight- and 16-seater planes between Lusaka and Royal Airstrip (30 minutes; in the
GMA just a few kilometres west of Chongwe Gate) and Jeki Airstrip (40 minutes; in the
heart of the park); both cost around ZMW820 one-way. Almost every guest staying at one
of the top-end lodges in the park flies into and out of Jeki, while Royal is very convenient
for the lodges near Chongwe Gate. All include transfers from the airstrip, which for the
fitness-minded is the only safe place to get in a run free of predators.
Road & Water
There's no public transport to Chongwe Gate, nor anything to the eastern and northern
boundaries, and hitching is very difficult. Most people visit the park on an organised tour,
and/or stay at a lodge that offers wildlife drives and boat rides as part of the deal. The
lodges also arrange transfers from Lusaka - generally a minivan to Chirundu and then
boat to the lodge (rates and travel times vary depending on the distance from Chirundu).
Uncomfortable minibuses run from the City Bus Station in Lusaka to Chirundu; depar-
tures run throughout the morning, however, you will have to sort out transport from town
to your accommodation.
If you have your own vehicle (you'll need a high-clearance 4WD), head down to
Chirundu. As you enter the town, you are looking for a left-hand turn to Gwabi Lodge and
from there head into the GMA and on to the Chongwe Gate into the Lower Zambezi (all
the same route).
There are also tracks via the north for those heading to the eastern side of the park but
these are far less used: there's an approach road accessed from the Great East Road,
100km east of Lusaka, that will take you to Mukanga Gate; and there's a track from Leo-
pards Hill in Lusaka, which is earmarked for improvement though this could be many
years in the future. Seek local advice before attempting either of these routes.
For budget travellers, ask at Bongwe Barn and Lusaka Backpackers in Lusaka or Jolly-
boys in Livingstone for deals on budget safaris into the Lower Zambezi.
