Robert Hodson, Divisional Operations Manager of Legacy Hotels Group, says because of Kenya Airways’ direct flights that combine Cape Town with Livingstone on the Zambian side or Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side, as well as Nairobi, the destination can form part of the ideal itinerary.

“To me, the ideal trip would be to go to Kenya to do the Maasai Mara or the Serengeti in Tanzania, then on to Victoria Falls and then on to Cape Town,” he says. “I don’t think you can get a better trip than that.”

Hodson also highlights Airlink’s direct flights between Cape Town and Victoria Falls as an option to combine Victoria Falls with a Cape Town tour. Karin Murray, Marketing and Sales Manager of Airlink, says the Cape Town combination is doing well.

She adds that Airlink also offers direct flights from Cape Town to Nelspruit Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) and from there to Livingstone, ideal for a Kruger safari and Falls package. She also suggests travelling beyond the Falls to Kasane (Chobe) or to the Okavango Delta (Maun). Airlink offers direct flights between Maun and Cape Town as well as Johannesburg.

Madeleine Hetem, MD of Tamrich Tours, suggests that the Falls can be sold as an add-on destination to any Southern African itinerary. “Apart from their breath-taking beauty and the wow factor, a visit to the Falls provides tourists with a perfect platform to explore the surrounding region and confluence of four countries, namely Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.” She describes this as a four-in-one hit that encapsulates ‘raw’ Africa.

Hodson also suggests combining Victoria Falls with Hwange, which is a one- to two-hour drive from Victoria Falls.