Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Fact Check Editor
PAN American Airways is eyeing a full-scale reincarnation in Africa with a scheduled luxury charter flight service that will return the glamour of Pan Am to the Zimbabwean skies and three other African countries.
In a report, Pan Am known for its glamorous travel and which stopped flying in 1991, will embark on a transatlantic route in 2027 with 42 travellers with deep pockets across four countries that include Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa.
The return of this luxury flight, will open a new era of jet-set adventure that will boost Zimbabwe’s tourism.
“This re-entry is about reimaging the golden age of travel for the modern explorer and Africa is the perfect canvas for that,” Craig Carter, CEO of Pan American World Airways told a travel publication.
The flights dubbed: ‘Sky to Safari’ will give rich travellers a taste of Zimbabwe’s tourism experience under the airline’s Private Jet Journeys Collection.
The 18-night African adventure to be launched in 2027 will span four countries covering Zimbabwe’s premier tourism spot – Victoria Falls, Serengeti in Tanzania, Okavango Delta in Botswana and travel with the famed Rovos Rail in South Africa.
Pan Am’s gracing of the Zimbabwean sky will add to the country’s growing appeal as a premium international tourist destination.
Recently, Zimbabwe was named the 2025 world best country to visit by Forbes magazine, a renowned global publication.
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector continues to defy global headwinds, recording over 1,6 million international tourist arrivals in 2024 and generating US$1,2 billion in receipts and US$190,5 million in investments, according to a Government report released in September.
The country boasts majestic tourist attractions including five UNESCO World Heritage Sites— the Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe monument, Khami Ruins National Monument, Matobo Hills and Mana Pools National Park.
According to the Forbes The World’s Most Visited Countries report, travel experts cited Zimbabwe as the go-to tourist destination of the year, describing the country as “a mosaic of rugged wild terrain and deep ancestral heritage—where jagged granite outcrops rise above sun-scorched golden plains and skies stretch wide over rustling acacia groves.”
The majestic Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe Monument and the Eastern Highlands were described as must visits for tourists chasing opportunities for wellness travel, city jumping and low-intensity travel.
Pan Am is partnering with SafariScapes, a luxury safari agency based in Texas and South Africa.
“We’re creating a seamless journey from sky to savanna, where the elegance and legacy of Pan Am meet the heart, authenticity, and adventure of Africa,” Carter was quoted saying.
Added SafariScapes CEO Debbie Frazier: “This isn’t just a safari. It’s a celebration of travel’s legacy, designed for those who believe the journey should be as extraordinary as the destination.
“It’s not only an exploration of Africa’s wild beauty, but also a journey through time, back to the golden age of travel when elegance, discovery, and impeccable service defined every adventure.”
The Second Republic continues to promote the country as a leading tourist destination, with the sector contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
President Mnangagwa has personally continued to describe tourism as a “low hanging fruit for accelerated economic growth, employment creation and foreign exchange generation.”
Cabinet recently approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees in the tourism sector as part of broader reforms to reduce the cost of doing business and enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness as a prime tourism destination.
The country’s airports are attracting more global airlines and have recorded an over 10 percent rise in passenger traffic.
Zimbabwe’s ports of entry handled over 1.8 million passengers in the first eight months of this year, compared to 1.6 million passengers during the same period last year, according to a Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) report.
The country’s open skies policy has led to a rise in the number of airlines utilising Zimbabwe’s airspace from three in 2017 to more than 20 airlines now.
