Cheap Flights to Mongu Airport

Discover Mongu

Mongu Airport is a public airport serving Mongu, the capital city of the Western Province in Zambia. It resides at an elevation of 3,488 feet (1,063 metres) above mean sea level. The airport has one runway designated 09/27 with a brick surface measuring 1,463 metres by 21 metres (4,800 feet × 69 feet). It is primarily used by the Zambian Air Force and the United Nations to transport Angolan Refugees back to Angola.

What to see & do

Mongu is a city in the Zambezi Basin, Zambia. It was the former capital of Barotseland and now serves as the headquarters of Mongu District and as the capital of Western Province. It is located on a small blunt promontory of higher ground on the eastern edge of the 30km-wide Barotse Floodplain of the Zambezi River, overlooking Liuwa Plain. The ecoregion surrounding the city is made up of Zambezi-flooded grasslands, and higher dry ground of Central Zambezian Miombo woodlands and Cryptosepalum dry forests. Mongu is located 15km away from the river's main channel, with its harbour connected in the dry season by a 35km route via a canal and a winding channel. It is the home city of the Lozi people, an ethnic group primarily inhabiting western Zambia and can also be found in Namibia (Caprivi Strip), Angola, and Botswana. Its river port is a settlement of reed and thatch buildings and where local fishermen sell their catch. It is also a great spot to people-watch as it is where longboats carrying both travellers and goods dock. Mongu is known for basket and carpet weaving, and is home to the best mango and fish (particularly tiger fish) in the country. It is also a major rice growing region.

Mongu is home to the Nayuma Museum, which is dedicated to promoting the arts and crafts of Barotseland. The city is known for celebrating Kuomboka, which means, "getting out of water," a traditional ceremony celebrated by the Lozi people. It commemorates the seasonal movement of the Paramount chief, the Litunga from the flood plains. You can also visit the Mumwa Craft Association on Lusaka Rd, which sells basketry and woodcarvings at low prices. The proceeds from the sale are given to the local community. Mongu has a large market, numerous shopping places, a cathedral, and a water tower.

How to get around within Mongu

Mongu is located at the boundary of the 610km Great West Road from Lusaka. There are plans to build a 46km Barotse Floodplain causeway to extend the road west to Kalabo, but has been delayed due to technical and funding problems. The construction has resumed and is carried out in the dry season.

How to get there

Mongu is served by one airport, among six others that serve the entire Western Province. However, it functions primarily as a means of transport of Angolan Refugees back to Angola. On the other hand, if you’re coming from Lusaka, you can also drive into the city via the Great West Road. The journey usually takes about six to eight hours. Other airports in the province are Kalabo Airport, Kaoma Airport, Lukulu Airport, Senanga Airport, and Sesheke Airport.