BY OBERT SIAMILANDU
KARIBA is set retake its prime position as one of the country’s top tourism hubs after Kuva Air yesterday launched its maiden Harare-Kariba-Victoria Falls flight.
Air travel on the Harare-Kariba-Victoria Falls route went off radar years ago after Air Zimbabwe and later Falcon Air exited due to viability challenges driven by an economic downturn.
Kuva Air will now ply the Harare-Kariba-Victoria Falls route three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Speaking at the launch in Kariba yesterday, Kuva Air director Stewart Dunlop said: “Kariba is one of the most special places in Zimbabwe and at the end of the day, we want people to experience what magic Kariba has. We have lots of people in South Africa itching to come to Kariba, but one of the big problems has been accessibility. We are reigniting the flame to get this place alive again.”
Airport Company of Zimbabwe business development officer Tonderai Mangombe said: “This was long overdue, residents and tourists were complaining about having no link between Kariba and other destinations.”
Travellers will have to part with at least US$130 for a one way flight to Harare and US$100 for a one way trip to Victoria Falls, which will take about 45 minutes.
“There is no luxury coach from Harare to Kariba and this made it hard for tourists to visit this town. At least with the launch of Kuva Air, tourists will have a better and quicker way of travelling,” Cephas Shonhiwa, the Kariba Tourism and Business Indaba administrator said.
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