South African domestic and regional airline, CemAir, will launch direct flights between Johannesburg and MalaMala Game Reserve, starting June 1.
MalaMala is one of the largest private Big Five game reserves in South Africa. It shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park and is situated between the park and Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
The route will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays using a 37-seat Dash-8-100 aircraft.
The flights depart OR Tambo at 11h15 and arrive at MalaMala at 12h30. It then departs MalaMala at 13h00 and arrives at OR Tambo at 14h15.
The flights are currently open for sale.
Shaniel Singh, CemAir Chief Commercial Officer, told Tourism Update that the airline had been in discussions with MalaMala Game Reserve for some time regarding a scheduled service.
“MalaMala currently only has a charter service into the reserve, which makes connectivity extremely difficult for guests. CemAir is not just servicing a single lodge but rather a service to multiple properties/lodges/camps west and south of the MalaMala airstrip e.g. Kirkmans, Londolozi, Leopard Hills, etc.”
Speaking on the possible expansion of services to other lodges in the future, Singh said the airline would engage and explore opportunities if it made commercial sense and increased volumes into a certain park or area.
