Weird and wonderful places you can fly to direct from Cape Town

One of the world's most remote islands gets a little easier to reach this summer, as Airlink launches seasonal non-stop services from Cape Town. Flights depart on Tuesdays from mid-December 2026 to mid-March 2027, offering a fantastic way to discover this remarkable chunk of rock in the South Atlantic.

St Helena is best known as the place where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final years in exile, but today visitors can explore Napoleonic history, tackle the 699 steps of Jacob's Ladder above Jamestown, or hike through dramatic volcanic landscapes. Offshore, the waters offer excellent diving, with whale sharks visiting in summer. And don't miss Jonathan, the island's famously long-lived giant tortoise.

Inspired? Here's the ultimate guide to exploring St. Helena 

Airlink launched Cape Town's first-ever non-stop service to Zanzibar in October 2026, with weekly Saturday flights on its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. That puts the Spice Island just over five hours from the Mother City, making one of East Africa's most alluring destinations more accessible. Start in UNESCO-listed Stone Town, where centuries of African, Arab, Indian and European influences are reflected in carved wooden doors, winding alleys and bustling markets. Then head to the east coast for palm-fringed beaches, diving and kitesurfing around Paje, or escape to the quieter shores of Matemwe. 

Did you know you can fly directly from Cape Town to the Kingdom of Eswatini? Eswatini Air operates non-stop flights to King Mswati III International Airport, offering a convenient gateway to one of Southern Africa's most overlooked destinations. The first stop should be the scenic Ezulwini Valley, where craft markets, cultural villages and traditional restaurants offer an introduction to Swazi culture. Nature lovers can explore the walking trails of Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, hike the rugged mountains of Malolotja Nature Reserve, or seek out rhinos at Hlane Royal National Park.

SAA and Air Mauritius have long flown non-stop from Cape Town to île Maurice, but travellers now have another option: Airlink launched its new twice-weekly service in October 2026, again using its shiny new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. More flights mean more seats and hopefully lower fares. And there's plenty to discover beyond the familiar luxury resorts and white-sand beaches. Once you’ve had your fill of the buffet, head out to hike through the forests of Black River Gorges National Park, explore the rugged Le Morne peninsula, or go north to discover the street food and lively markets of Port Louis. 

South America became even easier to reach in July 2026, when LATAM Airlines launched its new Cape Town–São Paulo route, operating three times a week. The service joins South African Airways' existing non-stop connection, opening the door to Brazil's extraordinary cultural capital. São Paulo is best explored through its neighbourhoods: browse the galleries and street art of Vila Madalena, discover Japanese-Brazilian food culture in Liberdade, or spend an afternoon exploring the museums and green spaces of Ibirapuera Park.

Yes, you can fly direct from Cape Town to Antarctica, swapping the sub-soaked Mother City for the frozen continent in under six hours. Ultima Antarctic Expeditions operates exclusive charter flights during the summer, from November to February, using an Ilyushin-76 aircraft that lands on a blue-ice runway deep in Antarctica. It's certainly not cheap, with 24-hour excursions priced from around US$13 500 and seven-day expeditions costing around US$61 000. But if you’ve got the cash, it's a remarkable opportunity to experience one of the planet's most remote wilderness areas. Keep reading to find out how to make it happen...

Airlink flies non-stop from Cape Town to Maun, bringing one of Africa's greatest wilderness areas within surprisingly easy reach. Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta, where floodwaters spread across the Kalahari sands, creating an extraordinary maze of lagoons, channels and islands. From Maun, light aircraft whisk travellers to remote safari camps in the Delta, or travellers can opt for an overland trip into the Delta or the stark Makgadikgadi Pans.

Forget the long drive north: Airlink (you can see which airline is at the top of its game right now!) operates non-stop flights from Cape Town to Walvis Bay. That means Namibia's Atlantic coastline is an easy long-weekend getaway. The main attraction is Sandwich Harbour, where towering Namib Desert dunes plunge straight into the ocean. Take a guided 4x4 excursion into the dunes, kayak among playful Cape fur seals in the lagoon, or photograph flocks of flamingos feeding in the shallows. Nearby Swakopmund offers German-colonial architecture, excellent seafood restaurants and desert adventures.

‘Kimberley?’ I hear you say. Well, yes. I know this might not be Mzansi’s most glamorous city, but the short, non-stop Airlink flight makes the Northern Cape capital an unexpectedly easy weekend escape. The city's diamond-mining history is its biggest draw, centred on the enormous Big Hole and its surrounding historic mining village. But there's more to discover, from Victorian architecture and old-world pubs to the excellent McGregor Museum and the nearby Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre. For a wildlife escape, head south to Mokala National Park, where endangered antelope, rhinos and giraffes roam the open landscapes, or drive further north into the Green Kalahari.

The daily non-stop Airlink service to Skukuza lands right inside Kruger National Park, so within a few hours of leaving the Mother City, you could be watching elephants crossing the road or searching for leopards along the Sabie River. Skukuza is well placed for exploring the wildlife-rich southern reaches of Kruger, with accommodation ranging from SANParks rest camps to exclusive safari lodges in nearby private reserves. Guided game drives, bush walks and sundowners overlooking the river make this one of the country's most accessible Big Five getaways.

Wait, hear me out! Airlink's non-stop flights to Upington offer a shortcut into the vast landscapes of the Northern Cape. Set on the banks of the Orange River, Upington is the gateway to adventures in the region, whether that's canoeing along the river, visiting the thundering cascades of Augrabies Falls National Park, or heading north into the red dunes of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Hire a car at the airport, and you’ll find a rewarding destination for road trippers keen to explore one of South Africa's least-visited regions.

Airlink's non-stop flights from Cape Town make Mozambique's lively capital an appealing alternative to your usual weekend city break. Maputo offers its own spicy blend of African and Portuguese influences, from the grand railway station and colourful Central Market to the city's pavement cafés, art galleries and lively music scene. Make time for fresh grilled prawns, peri-peri chicken and a cold Laurentina beer, or explore the seafood restaurants and beach bars along the waterfront. For an adventure beyond the city, head south to Maputo National Park, or take a boat to the beaches of nearby Inhaca Island.

Proflight Zambia operates non-stop services from Cape Town to Livingstone, placing one of the world's great natural wonders within easy reach. On the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, visitors can admire the thundering Mosi-oa-Tunya from dramatic viewpoints, take a helicopter flight above the gorge or, when conditions permit, swim in the famous Devil's Pool at the edge of the waterfall. There's plenty of adventure beyond the Falls, from white-water rafting on the Zambezi to sunset river cruises and wildlife encounters in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

Proflight Zambia extends their direct flights from Cape Town to Livingstone onwards to  Lusaka three times weekly. It's a useful connection for travellers looking to explore Zambia's national parks without flying through Johannesburg. Lusaka is the main jumping-off point for the incredible Lower Zambezi National Park, where canoe safaris, boat-based game viewing and riverside lodges offer a different take on the traditional African safari. Connecting domestic flights also open up South Luangwa National Park, renowned for its walking safaris and exceptional leopard sightings.