Independent Southern African regional airline Airlink will re-start its safari lodge air transfer service from July 1. 

The airline’s popular Lodge Link service will provide direct connectivity beyond the Skukuza and Nelspruit KMIA airports to three  popular safari lodge airstrips. These are at Arathusa, Londolozi and Phinda Private Game Reserve. 

Airlink says seamless connections can be made between these flights and its scheduled services between Cape Town and Johannnesburg to Nelspruit and Skukuza Airport.  

The Lodge Link network will also provide direct connections with Airlink’s regional service between Nelspruit and Livingstone, for passengers who would like to add the magnificent Zambia-side views of the Victoria Falls.

The Arathusa airstrip will provide access to the neighbouring lodges of Chitwa Chitwa, Cheetah Plains, Elephant Plains, Simbambili, Nkortho, Djuma, Jaci’s Sabi House and Silvan Safaris.

 The Phinda airstrip provides access to a number of lodges in the area, Thanda Private Game Reserve and Rhino Ridge.

The Lodge Link flights are operated using Airlink’s twin pilot modern Cessna Caravan 12-seater turboprop aircraft.

 “With more local and regional travellers looking for mini-safari getaways, we recognise that every minute spent relaxing at their destination is precious.   Airlink’s Lodge Link service provides a unique 20-minute airside transfer for quick and easy access to the doorstep of your luxury private game lodge, minimising lengthy road transfers,” said Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster. 

The flights will depart in the morning from Arathusa and travel via Londolozi and Skukuza to Nelspruit and do the reverse in the afternoon.

Flights depart from Phinda bound for Nelspruit in the morning and return from Nelspruit to Phinda in the afternoon.