Self-Fly Safari Guide

Self-Fly Safari to Kariba: Private Pilot & Aircraft Owner’s Guide

As private pilots who have personally flown light aircraft cross-border from Cape Town to Kariba and back, we know there is no finer adventure than setting your own course across Southern Africa, touching down at Kariba Airport (KAB), and walking straight onto Abangane at Pama Harbour.

Whether you fly a Cirrus, Cessna, Beechcraft, Piper, or Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), flying into Kariba is straightforward when you follow the established cross-border procedures. Here is our pilot-to-pilot guide covering clearance routes, flight planning, route leg times, mandatory safety protocols, and harbor transfers.

1. Mandatory Zimbabwe Flight Clearance Reference Number

Before departing South Africa, all foreign-registered private aircraft entering Zimbabwean airspace (Harare FIR / FVHF) must obtain an official Overflight & Landing Permit Clearance Number from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).

• Obtain in Advance: Apply for your CAAZ clearance at least 24 to 48 hours prior to your flight (via CAAZ Flight Permits, your clearance handler, or digital flight planning services).
• Include in Flight Plan (Item 18): Your issued permit reference number must be inserted into Item 18 (Other Information) of your ICAO Flight Plan (e.g., RMK/CAAZ PERMIT NO XXX/XX).
• Air Traffic Control Verification: Be prepared to provide this reference number verbally to Air Traffic Control (ATC) upon first contact at the Zimbabwean FIR boundary / entry waypoint. ATC will request this clearance number before granting entry into Zimbabwean airspace.

2. Mandatory High-Visibility Safety Vests on Airport Aprons

Strict safety regulations at all Zimbabwean airports (including Ports of Entry like Bulawayo, Harare, and Vic Falls, as well as Kariba Airport) mandate that all flight crew and passengers wear reflective high-visibility safety clothing when on the airside apron.

• Pack High-Vis Vests Onboard: Ensure high-visibility reflective vests (yellow or orange) are readily accessible inside the cockpit for all pilots and crew members.
• Wear Upon Disembarking: Put on your high-vis vest before stepping out of the aircraft onto the apron at both your Port of Entry and Kariba Airport. Airport ramp safety officers strictly enforce this requirement.

3. Preferred Departure Ports of Exit & Ports of Entry

South African Exit Ports

• Polokwane International (FAPP): Direct northern exit point for aircraft routing up through Beitbridge.
• Lanseria International (FALA): Convenient central exit for Gauteng and inland pilots.
• Upington Airport (FAUP): Ideal exit point for aircraft routing from Cape Town or the Western Cape.

Zimbabwean Ports of Entry

• Bulawayo / Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (FVBU): Recommended. Fast customs turnaround, shorter taxi times, and simple refuelling before the final leg to Kariba.
• Victoria Falls International (FVFA): Ideal if combining your fly-in with a stay at the Falls.
• Harare International / RG Mugabe (FVRG): Best for eastern corridor routing.

4. Route Leg Times & Range Examples (Assuming 5 Hours Fuel Endurance)

To help with your flight planning and fuel management, the table below provides approximate still-air flight times and fuel reserves across key route legs. All calculations assume a standard 5-hour maximum fuel endurance (300 minutes usable fuel) without wind, leaving a mandatory 45-minute VFR fuel reserve.

Flight Time Estimates by Cruise Speed

Route Leg	Approx. Distance	Time @ 120 kts TAS	Time @ 140 kts TAS	Time @ 160 kts TAS	Fuel Margin (5h Endurance)
Polokwane (FAPP) – Bulawayo (FVBU)	~250 NM	2h 05m	1h 47m	1h 34m	Comfortable Direct Leg (~2h 55m reserve remaining)
Bulawayo (FVBU) – Kariba (FVKB)	~200 NM	1h 40m	1h 26m	1h 15m	Short Hop (~3h 20m reserve remaining)
Lanseria (FALA) –Bulawayo (FVBU)	~320 NM	2h 40m	2h 17m	2h 00m	Direct Leg (~2h 20m reserve remaining)
Upington (FAUP) – Vic Falls (FVFA)	~540 NM	4h 30m (Tight)	3h 51m	3h 23m	Tech Stop Advised @ 120 kts (Gaborone or Francistown)
Vic Falls (FVFA) -Kariba (FVKB)	~210 NM	1h 45m	1h 30m	1h 19m	Scenic River Leg (~3h 15m reserve remaining)
Cape Town (FACT) -Upington (FAUP)	~360 NM	3h 00m	2h 34m	2h 15m	Internal SA Leg 1 (~2h 00m reserve remaining)

Key Range & Fuel Tips

• 120 Knot Aircraft (e.g., C172, Archer, LSA): A tech-stop/refuel at Polokwane (FAPP) or Bulawayo (FVBU) gives you comfortable margins well above legal VFR reserves.
• 140 Knot Aircraft (e.g., C182, Cherokee Six, RVs): Easily handles legs like Polokwane – Bulawayo – Kariba with ample reserve for weather holds or re-routing.
• 160 Knot Aircraft (e.g., Cirrus SR22, Bonanza, Cessna 210): Allows long legs such as Lanseria – Bulawayo in just 2 hours, making the total trip to Kariba achievable in under 3.5 flying hours total.

5. Mandatory Aircraft Disinsection Protocol (Port Health Compliance)

Port Health authorities at Zimbabwean Ports of Entry strictly enforce International Health Regulations (IHR) regarding vector control for inbound international flights.

• Pre-Departure Cabin Spraying Required: Before departing your exit port in South Africa (e.g., Polokwane FAPP, Lanseria FALA, or Upington FAUP), pilots must treat the aircraft cabin and baggage compartments using an approved WHO aviation disinsection aerosol spray (e.g., 1-shot 2% d-phenothrin / permethrin formulation).
• Retain Spray Canister & Serial Number: Do not discard the empty aerosol spray can after treatment.
  • Keep the empty canister in the flight bag/cockpit.
  • Record the canister serial/batch number, date, and time of spraying directly in the Health section of your Aircraft General Declaration (GenDec) form or journey logbook.
• Port Health Inspection on Arrival: Upon landing at your Port of Entry in Zimbabwe (Bulawayo, Vic Falls, or Harare), the Port Health officer will inspect the empty spray canister and verify the canister serial number against your GenDec before granting medical clearance and releasing crew and passengers for immigration.

6. The Final Leg: Destination Kariba Airport (KAB / FVKB)

• ICAO / IATA: FVKB / KAB
• Coordinates: 1631’10’/ 028 53’06”
• Elevation: 1,706 ft MSL
• Runway Details: 18/36 – 1,650 m -5,413 ft Asphalt (Suitable for light single/twin piston, turboprop, and light jet aircraft).
• AVGAS & Jet A1: Available at Kariba, but pre-flight verification of fuel availability on your flight plan date is recommended.

7. Flight Planning & Documentation Checklist

To ensure hassle-free cross-border operations, prepare the following ahead of your flight:

1. CAAZ Flight Clearance Reference Number: Obtained in advance and logged in Item 18 of your flight plan.
2. High-Vis Vests: Checked and packed in the cockpit for all crew and passengers.
3. Flight Plan: International ICAO FPL filed via your local briefing office or digital flight planning tools (ForeFlight / EasyPlan).
4. Disinsection Proof:
   • Completed General Declaration form.
   • Used aerosol spray canister onboard with serial/batch number recorded.
5. Aircraft, Papers Onboard:
   • Original Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) & Registration.
   • Radio Station License.
   • Pilot License, Medical, and Passports for all onboard (valid for at least 6 months).
   • Insurance with cross-border territorial coverage.

8. Aircraft Security & Arrival at Pama Harbour

• Secure Parking at Kariba Airport: Kariba Airport features designated apron parking for general aviation aircraft, with 24-hour security on-site. Tiedowns are advised during summer afternoon thunderstorm season.
• 15-Minute Transfer to Abangane: Once you shutdown on the apron and complete local airport logging, we handle the rest.
• Meet & Greet by Pilot-Owners: As private pilots and owners, Nick and I understand pilot schedules, weather holds, and flight timing. I will meet your crew personally at the airport or harbour, escort your group down to Pama Harbour, and hand you over to Captain Obert and Chef Frank for a cold beer or gin & tonic on deck.

Fly-In Safari Planning Consultation

Because we fly these routes ourselves, we are always happy to share current waypoint advice, routing tips, frequency notes, and ground contact numbers with visiting aircrew.

Planning a Fly-In or Club Tour to Kariba?

Contact us directly when planning your flight. We can assist with local air traffic guidance, ground transfers from the runway, and coordinating secure berth timing at Pama Harbour for Abangane.