Private jet charter in Zimbabwe
Ten hours is what a long-range jet needs to carry a London party to southern Africa, and Zimbabwe offers two places to land: a capital with a round-the-clock airport and a falls with an airport of its own. It is not a business aviation market like Johannesburg, so the work lies in permits, handling and onward flights. Our customers have access to 6,500 jets of all types and configurations available for rent. We will help you choose the best option based on your needs and objectives. Our catalog contains the models from the largest manufacturers: Gulfstream, Dassault, Embraer, Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Learjet, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pilatus, HondaJet, etc. We have established partnerships with the world's largest airlines and VIP terminals, which means we can offer you favourable flight conditions and a high level of service. Our experts will manage the organization of your flight - starting with paperwork, agreements, etc., and ending with a transfer and meeting at the airport. Our company provides a full range of business aviation and concierge services. For Zimbabwe that means a landing permit and a supervising agent arranged before departure, a plan for visas and cash, and a realistic view of which airstrips a jet can use.
At your request, the aviation consultants of Private Jets UK will help you choose the jet with the suitable technical parameters (production year, flight hours, and home base). The cost of the private jet charter in Zimbabwe depends on many factors, such as the model of the business jet, the number of passengers, departure and destination airports, type of flight, duration of parking, additional services, etc. Therefore, we calculate the price of each order individually taking into account your wishes. You can use an online calculator to get an instant charter quote. Please indicate your real contact details to get the final calculation.
You can calculate the cost of your flight in several ways:
- using an online calculator on the website (however, it shows only the approximate price);
- via Messenger (WhatsApp or Telegram);
- by landline or cell phone;
- via e-mail (jets@private-jets.co.uk).
Please note that the above-mentioned price is indicative only. It is calculated on this basis: a departure from Biggin Hill, a Bombardier Global 6000 flying nonstop to Harare and two passengers aboard. If you want to get a personal quote, just fill out the online booking form below. Our aviation consultant will make the calculation within 20 minutes, and then contact you to specify the details of the flight.
How long does it take to fly to Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe keeps Central Africa Time, two hours ahead of Greenwich all year, so the gap with London is two hours in winter and one in summer. Leave Biggin Hill after dinner on a Global 6000 and you reach Harare in the morning, local time. The airport is listed as open round the clock, so the arrival hour is no constraint; Victoria Falls is a different matter. Sectors to Harare, gate to gate:
4,646 nautical miles, the nearest London field, and the base of the price at the top of the pageabout 10 h
4,659 nautical miles, the usual choice for Surrey, Hampshire and the Thames Valleyabout 10 h
4,957 nautical miles, the main Scottish departureabout 10 h 35 min
Range comes before price
Harare lies 4,646 nautical miles from Biggin Hill by our routing allowance, and Victoria Falls 4,559. A Global 6000 is published at roughly 6,000 nautical miles, so either sector is inside its range with a reserve, and it is the aircraft behind the title price. A Praetor 600, at about 4,000, or a Challenger 350, at about 3,200, needs a fuel stop on the way out.
A stop adds about an hour and a half on the ground and a second set of landing charges.
The exact flight time depends on the model of the business jet, as well as the speed of the tail or head wind. Our consultant will make a detailed calculation of the flight time for the chosen business jet.
Prices for the private jet flights to Zimbabwe
Typical private jet charter prices from Britain to Harare, listed cheapest first. Every row is a nonstop Global 6000, since smaller jets need a fuel stop:
| Route | Aircraft | Price, one way |
|---|---|---|
| London Biggin Hill - Harare 4,646 nm / 8,604 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £125,850 |
| Southampton - Harare 4,654 nm / 8,619 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £126,050 |
| London Farnborough - Harare 4,659 nm / 8,628 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £126,200 |
| London Stansted - Harare 4,672 nm / 8,653 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £126,500 |
| London Luton - Harare 4,683 nm / 8,673 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £126,800 |
| Bristol - Harare 4,705 nm / 8,714 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £127,400 |
| Cardiff - Harare 4,720 nm / 8,741 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £127,800 |
| Birmingham - Harare 4,742 nm / 8,782 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £128,350 |
| Manchester - Harare 4,800 nm / 8,890 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £129,850 |
| Leeds Bradford - Harare 4,815 nm / 8,917 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £130,250 |
| Newcastle - Harare 4,877 nm / 9,032 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £131,900 |
| Edinburgh - Harare 4,957 nm / 9,180 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £133,950 |
| Glasgow - Harare 4,974 nm / 9,212 km |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £134,400 |
Two things worth knowing about these figures
– The airport at the other end moves the price too. From Biggin Hill, Victoria Falls costs about £2,300 less than Harare on the same aircraft, because it lies roughly 87 nautical miles nearer; each hundred nautical miles adds roughly £2,600 on a Global 6000;
– A one-way price assumes the aircraft flies back empty. On a return trip it either waits in Zimbabwe, with parking and crew accommodation as extra lines, or flies home and comes back for you.
Private jet flights within Zimbabwe and to its neighbours
Inside Zimbabwe the aircraft changes. The long-range jet stays at Harare or Victoria Falls, and a turboprop or a light jet takes the party on, because the lodges and parks sit on strips not built for heavy aircraft. Sectors below:
| Route | Aircraft | Flight time | Price, one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Falls - Hwange National Park 77 nm / 143 km |
Pilatus PC-12 NGX up to 9 |
about 45 min | from £3,100 |
| Harare - Kariba 158 nm / 293 km |
Pilatus PC-12 NGX up to 9 |
about 1 h 05 min | from £3,100 |
| Harare - Mana Pools 170 nm / 315 km |
Pilatus PC-12 NGX up to 9 |
about 1 h 10 min | from £3,100 |
| Harare - Bulawayo 196 nm / 363 km |
Pilatus PC-12 NGX up to 9 |
about 1 h 15 min | from £3,100 |
| Harare - Victoria Falls 312 nm / 578 km |
Citation CJ3+ up to 7 |
about 1 h 15 min | from £5,350 |
| Johannesburg - Victoria Falls 521 nm / 965 km |
Citation XLS+ up to 9 |
about 1 h 45 min | from £9,700 |
| Johannesburg - Harare 538 nm / 996 km |
Citation XLS+ up to 9 |
about 1 h 45 min | from £9,950 |
Two things worth knowing about the sectors inside the country
– The runway decides the aircraft. Kariba is listed with 1,650 metres, which suits a turboprop and not a heavy jet, and Mana Pools has a park airstrip served by charter flights. Hwange has a long runway but few scheduled flights, so we ask what services it offers before planning a jet there;
– Whether a foreign-registered jet may carry passengers between two Zimbabwean points is a question for the Civil Aviation Authority, not an assumption.
We can arrange the flights from any cities in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and European countries. Due to a large database of available business jets, we can help you find an optimal jet and crew. If you have any questions about the departure or the flight itself, you can ask them using the form below:
Prices depending on the type of business jet
We can clearly show the high dependence of the cost of the flight, on the type of aircraft - we have collected approximate data, at the price of 1 flight hour, for various types of business jets:
The cost per hour indicated in the table is preliminary and does not constitute an offer or a commercial offer. Exact prices are available from the managers of the company.
Online Calculator
If you want to make an urgent calculation of the cost of a private plane flight, use our online calculator. Just fill in all the fields of the form with a note that you are interested in a specific model of the aircraft and get the final price. NB! - the figures are sent to you by email or messenger, please carefully fill in the contact details to get the calculation.
All our calculations are as transparent as possible for you. After receiving the request, we will prepare a beautiful offer - where the costs and the final price will be clearly described. The exact price is agreed in advance and is written in the contract, so you can be sure of the final cost.
Private jets are ready to take off
Our database contains over 6,500 business jets (about 3,500 in Europe and 3,000 in the rest of the world) of different configurations and production years. The list of models is constantly updated. Unfortunately, we can't post a full list of available jets on our website due to confidentiality issues. Please contact the managers of the company for more accurate information. We will help you choose a suitable model taking into account your wishes. These are the typical choices for Zimbabwe:
Turboprops and light jets
The class for the hops inside the country. A Pilatus PC-12 NGX takes up to nine between Victoria Falls, Hwange, Kariba and Harare.
Super-midsize
Fine from Johannesburg. From London a Praetor 600 or a Challenger 350 needs a fuel stop.
Large cabin
For a family on a long stay or a delegation with staff, flown with a stop on the way out.
Ultra-long range
The class that flies London to Harare nonstop, and the one our title price is built on.
How to book a private jet?
You can book a private jet flight to Zimbabwe in 6 easy steps:
- Flight request - indicating the route and your preferences for the model of business jet and other points.
- Coordination of flight details - our consultant will contact you to offer the possible flight options and answer all your questions.
- Commercial offer - we will send you a final offer on a specific model taking into account all your wishes.
- Signing of the contract.
- Payment for the flight and booking a business jet.
- Departure at the agreed time and date. Assistance during the whole flight.
In addition to renting the private jets and arranging the flights, we provide concierge services, premium transfer, security, exclusive catering, etc. We have learned to solve problems of any complexity, offering the service of the European level. Our experts will be happy to answer your questions and help you arrange your flight.
How to rent a business jet with a crew
5 main stages:
-
Sending an application
-
Clarification of details and search for options
-
Preparation and coordination of optimal options
-
Registration of documents. Payment of the invoice.
-
Departure on the route.
Business aviation airports in Zimbabwe
Two airports take long-range jets and a third takes lighter ones. None has an executive terminal that we can name, so the job is to match the airport to the trip:
| Airport | Ground | How it operates |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Gabriel Mugabe International HRE / FVRG |
About 13 km south-south-east of central Harare, at 1,490 metres | Runway 05/23 of 4,725 metres, asphalt, the longest in the country. Listed open round the clock, with customs and the status of an airport of entry. No slots, but handling is mandatory. The airport of the capital and the natural gateway for business travel |
| Victoria Falls International VFA / FVFA |
About 20 km south-east of the town, at 1,064 metres, the gateway to the falls and to Hwange | Runway 12/30 of 4,000 metres, asphalt, with an instrument approach. Customs and the status of an airport of entry. Operations are listed from 0400 to 1600 UTC (06:00 to 18:00 local) and outside those hours on request, though one reference says 24 hours, so we confirm the hours for the date. No slots, handling not mandatory |
| Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International BUQ / FVJN |
About 15 km north of Bulawayo, at 1,308 metres | Runway 13/31 of 2,600 metres, asphalt, enough for a light or midsize jet. Customs and immigration, about 16 hours a day. A domestic and regional airport, and the base for the south-west |
Handling is booked through a supervising agent: Jetmate Aviation at Harare, and at Victoria Falls FCG OPS Africa, run by Astra Aviation, which the records list as flight support. Who meets the aircraft, and whether a private lounge exists, is confirmed in the quote. Two smaller fields sometimes appear in plans: Kariba, a turboprop airport on the lake, and Hwange National Park Airport, whose 4,600 metre runway is described as used by private charters.
Three points settle most Zimbabwe flights before a quote goes out:
Landing and overflight permits
The Civil Aviation Authority works from about 0400 to 1600 UTC. No fixed lead time for a landing permit is published, and overflight permits typically run for 72 hours, so we file early.
Documents for a private flight
The file typically has the aircraft and operator, the schedule, the route with its entry and exit points of the Harare flight information region, the purpose of the flight and, when asked for, the certificates, the insurance and the crew and passenger details. Fuel is arranged through the flight support team.
Crew on the ground
Crew visas are typically issued on arrival for up to 72 hours. Crew hotels are 15 to 20 minutes from Harare airport and 15 to 30 minutes from Victoria Falls.
Arriving from Britain: visas, passports and cash
Unlike its neighbour Botswana, Zimbabwe asks British citizens for a visa:
issued on arrival, usually for 30 days, paid in small US dollar notes; an e-visa can be applied for in advance, and the embassy in London does not issue visasarrange before departure
US$50, valid for 30 days, covering Zimbabwe and Zambia and day trips into Botswana; sold at the three airports and the border postsuseful for the falls
valid for at least six months after the day of arrival, with at least three blank pagescheck every passport, children included
cash or travellers cheques of US$10,000 or more must be declared on arrival, and leaving with more than US$2,000 in cash is illegaldeclare at the airport
a certificate is required from travellers coming from a country listed as a transmission risk; Britain is not one, but a fuel stop in Africa can beask us when the route is drawn
Carry a copy of the passport photo page and of the visa, and keep the original safe. Photographing airports needs special permission, so ask before filming the arrival. Coming home is a flight into Britain. A General Aviation Report goes to the border authorities not earlier than 48 hours and not later than two hours before departure, and British and Irish citizens need no electronic travel authorisation. Most other nationalities do.
Read the travel advice before you book
The British government describes crime as moderate. Bag-snatching is common in city centres after dark, and smash-and-grab robberies have hit vehicles on the airport route and in parts of Harare, so we arrange the transfer. Demonstrations can be unpredictable, and photographing the police, the armed forces or demonstrations is illegal. Power cuts are frequent, road fuel is sometimes scarce, and outside the towns driving after dark is risky because of potholes, livestock and unlit vehicles.
The US dollar is widely used alongside the local ZiG, and dollar cash can be scarce, so cards may not work at cash machines. Healthcare is often very poor outside the big cities, private clinics may ask for a large cash payment before admitting an emergency patient, and insurance must cover evacuation. The advice also points travellers to TravelHealthPro for malaria and vaccine guidance at least eight weeks before travel. We check it again close to departure.
Which airport for which part of Zimbabwe
The airport follows the purpose of the trip:
the falls lie on the border with Zambia, with Hwange National Park to the south-east; Livingstone on the Zambian bank serves the other side of the riverVictoria Falls
the capital, with the longest runway in the country, the round-the-clock airport and most government and corporate visitsHarare
in the north, on the Zambezi; Kariba has its own small airport, and charter flights serve the Mana Pools airstrip from Harare, Victoria Falls and KaribaHarare, then a turboprop
the second city, with a 2,600 metre runway and customs, and the nearest airport for the Matobo HillsBulawayo
The Zimbabwe year: the falls, the dry season and the rains
Two calendars run side by side, one for the water at the falls and one for the game in the parks:
the Zambezi rises towards its highest water, which comes in April; the spray is at its thickest and some viewpoints on the ground are hidden in mistwater high, views from the air
the water drops and the mist clears; the peak safari season begins, and Hwange and Mana Pools are in their dry monthscooler, dry, busy
the water is lowest in October and November, rafting is at its best and October is the hottest month; waterholes in Hwange draw the game, and the first rains arrive in Novemberhot, dry, the best game
the green season begins, with newborn animals and many birds, and the river starts to rise again late in the monthgreen, hot and humid
Why the choice of side matters
Zimbabwe holds about two thirds of the width of the falls, with water all year. The Zambian side can run almost dry by November, and Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island, reached from Zambia, are typically open only in the low-water months. A trip that depends on them is planned around Livingstone.
The Zimbabwe calendar: holidays and festivals
A few dates move demand for aircraft, rooms and permits:
What a date does to a flight plan
Public holidays can slow permit work, so for a fixed date we file the permits before the holiday week.
Flying to Zimbabwe with a dog or a cat
Zimbabwe lets pets in without quarantine when the paperwork is right, and it names one airport for the purpose: Harare.
The facts to read before you book
A pet flying from Britain needs an import permit from the Director of Animal Health, applied for well ahead and valid for six months from issue; only animals from Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini are exempt. The rabies vaccination is given to an animal older than three months, between 30 days and 12 months before arrival. A titre test is not required, the microchip must be the 15-digit ISO type, and a licensed vet completes a health certificate within 10 days of entry, endorsed by a government vet.
The published entry point for animals is Harare. Whether an animal may enter through Victoria Falls on a private aircraft we have not found stated, so we confirm it in writing before we quote.
- A microchip, fitted before the rabies vaccination, which the return to Britain requires as well;
- For the return, a Great Britain pet health certificate and a rabies blood test, because Zimbabwe is not a listed country;
- For dogs only, a tapeworm treatment from a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in Britain. A cat needs no treatment.
GOV.UK tells owners to check the approved travel route for the return, and its guidance does not say how the rule applies to a private aircraft, so we confirm the paperwork in writing before the flight. An animal that does not meet the rules can be quarantined for up to four months in Britain. Requirements for ferrets, birds and anything less usual are collected on our flying with pets guide.
Empty Legs
An empty leg is a repositioning flight with nobody aboard, offered at a fraction of the usual price. A family flies out for a fortnight, and the aircraft either waits or flies home empty.
Where Zimbabwe empty legs come from
– Aircraft that bring a party out and fly back to Britain empty, the leg most often offered;
– Regional legs between Johannesburg, Harare and Victoria Falls.
A client who can offer a few days has a far better chance of a match. What is free is listed on our empty legs page. Typical empty legs for Zimbabwe:
| Route | Aircraft | Capacity | Whole aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harare - Victoria Falls | Citation CJ3+ | 7 seats | £2,250 |
| Johannesburg - Harare | Citation XLS+ | 9 seats | £4,200 |
| Harare - UK (London Biggin Hill) | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £52,850 |
| Harare - UK (Farnborough) | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £53,000 |
| UK (London Luton) - Harare | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £53,250 |
| UK (Birmingham) - Harare | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £53,900 |
| UK (Manchester) - Harare | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £54,550 |
| UK (Edinburgh) - Harare | Global 6000 | 13 seats | £56,250 |
How to read those figures
Each price is for the whole aircraft. A Global 6000 from London Luton to Harare at £53,250 with eight aboard comes to about £6,650 a head. An open return date helps.
Helicopter charter
Helicopters in Zimbabwe are mostly a way to see the falls. At Victoria Falls the operator Wild Horizons sells scenic flights of 12 to 13 minutes, called the Flight of Angels, and of about 25 minutes, leaving daily from near the Batoka Gorge and running year round, weather permitting. Beyond that, a helicopter for a lodge or park transfer is arranged case by case and local supply is thin, so we confirm availability before quoting. Straight-line planning times:
to the national park south-east of the falls, a lodge transferabout 50 min
to the lake in the north, a transfer or a scenic flightabout 1 h 30 min
to the Zambezi valley, a transfer to a campabout 1 h 35 min
Harare stands at about 1,490 metres, where a helicopter carries less than at sea level.
Before you plan around a helicopter
We confirm permission for every landing site before we quote. A lodge's lawn is not a site until it has been approved.
Flights from the UK to Zimbabwe
Biggin Hill, Farnborough, Stansted and Luton send most of the traffic on this corridor, with Southampton, Birmingham and Manchester behind them and Scotland and Northern Ireland at the long end; the price table higher up covers thirteen of those pairings. Our clients have access to all airports of the UK and Europe. Due to the unique partnership conditions, we can offer our clients the best prices for business aviation services. Our experts will consult you on the availability of private jets in a particular city and help you choose the best option.
List of TOP 25 business aviation airports:
| Airport | Country | ICAO | IATA |
|---|---|---|---|
 London Heathrow Airport |
England | EGLL | LHR |
| Birmingham Airport |
England | EGBB | BHX |
| London Gatwick |
England | EGKK | LGW |
| London City Airport |
England | EGLC | LCY |
| London Luton |
England | EGGW | LTN |
| Edinburgh Airport |
Scotland | EGPH | EDI |
| Leeds Airport |
England | EGNM | LBA |
| Manchester Airport |
England | EGCC | MAN |
| London Stansted |
England | EGSS | STN |
| Liverpool John Lennon Airport |
England | EGGP | LPL |
| Newcastle Airport |
England | EGNT | NCL |
| Bristol Airport |
England | EGGD | BRS |
| Glasgow Airport |
Scotland | EGPF | GLA |
| East Midlands Airport |
England | EGNX | EMA |
| Southampton Airport |
England | EGHI | SOU |
| Jersey Airport |
Channel Islands | EGJJ | JER |
| Cardiff International Airport |
Wales | EGFF | CWL |
| Inverness Airport |
Scotland | EGPE | INV |
| Bournemouth Airport |
England | EGHH | BOH |
| London Farnborough Airport |
England | EGLF | FAB |
| Oxford Airport |
England | EGTK | OXF |
| London Biggin Hill |
England | EGKB | BQH |
| Belfast Airport |
Northern Ireland | EGAA | BFS |
| Gibraltar Airport |
Gibraltar | LXGB | GIB |
| Aberdeen Airport |
Scotland | EGPD | ABZ |
Zimbabwe charters from the booking notes: six typical trips
Six typical jobs put together from booking notes with the particulars changed, so none describes one named client or date.
VICTORIA FALLS · LOW WATER
A couple and a week of rafting
Farnborough - Victoria Falls, Global 6000, about 9 h 50 min · 2 pax
They chose the dry months for the white water, and the arrival was timed inside the airport's listed hours.
HARARE · A DELEGATION
A small group with a protocol officer
London Luton - Harare, Global 6000, about 10 h 05 min · 6 pax
The permit file went in early and the transfer from the airport was arranged in advance.
HWANGE · A FAMILY
Six people, a long stay
Biggin Hill - Victoria Falls, G650ER, about 9 h 35 min · 6 pax
The jet waited at Victoria Falls while a turboprop took the family on to the park.
KARIBA · MANA POOLS
Four adults and a river trip
Biggin Hill - Harare, Global 6000, about 10 h · 4 pax
Harare was the gateway, and a light aircraft carried the party on to the Zambezi.
WITH THE DOG · A QUESTION OF ENTRY
Two adults and a spaniel on a posting
Biggin Hill - Harare, Global 6000, about 10 h · 2 pax + dog
The import permit and the entry point at Harare decided the plan before any aircraft did.
EMPTY LEG · A FLEXIBLE RETURN
A Harare departure with a window of three days
Harare - London Luton, Global 6000 empty leg, about 10 h 05 min · 4 pax
The client gave a window instead of a date and paid about £53,250, under half of a fresh one-way charter.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Zimbabwe
1How long does it take to fly to Zimbabwe by private jet?
About 10 hours nonstop from London Biggin Hill to Harare on a Global 6000, and 10 hours 35 minutes from Edinburgh. A smaller aircraft needs a fuel stop. Zimbabwe is two hours ahead of Britain in winter and one in summer.
2How much does a private jet to Zimbabwe cost?
From about £125,850 one way from Biggin Hill to Harare on a Global 6000. Victoria Falls from Biggin Hill is about £123,550 on the same aircraft. A hop from Harare to Victoria Falls on a Citation CJ3+ starts from £5,350.
3Which airport should a private jet use in Zimbabwe?
Harare (HRE / FVRG) for the capital and business, Victoria Falls (VFA / FVFA) for the falls and Hwange, Bulawayo (BUQ / FVJN) for the south-west. All have customs. Harare is listed as open round the clock, Victoria Falls from 06:00 to 18:00 local.
4Do British passengers need a visa for a private flight to Zimbabwe?
Yes. A visa is normally issued on arrival for 30 days, or an e-visa can be obtained in advance. The KAZA UniVisa costs US$50 and also covers Zambia. The passport must be valid for at least six months after arrival and have at least three blank pages, and cash of US$10,000 or more must be declared.
5Can a private jet land at the safari lodges in Zimbabwe?
Generally no. Lodges and parks use airstrips suited to turboprops. The usual plan is a jet to Harare or Victoria Falls and a turboprop or helicopter on to the lodge.
6Can I take my dog or cat to Zimbabwe on a private jet?
Yes, with an import permit from the Director of Animal Health, a rabies vaccination given between 30 days and 12 months before arrival and a vet's health certificate issued within 10 days of entry. The published entry point is Harare, so we confirm any other entry in writing. For the return the animal needs a Great Britain pet health certificate and a rabies blood test.