If you want to see a number of African destinations on a single trip but don’t have the time to travel overland — and don’t have the funds to buy separate tickets on a bunch of different airlines — then consider the Go Africa Pass from the Sky Team airline alliance.
The pass, which was launched in 2012, is similar to other multi-country intra-continental passes on the market, such as those available in Asia and North America (and Africa as well, via other airline alliances).
This one gives you access to 45 destinations in Africa via Kenya Airways, for up to 75% less than standard fares, depending on your itinerary.
So if you’re a business traveler headed to multiple cities to meet with multiple clients on a single trip, or a leisure tourist wanting to hit all the highlights of Africa one right after the other, this pass could be a godsend for you.
How it works: The pass is available to travelers who have purchased an intercontinental round-trip or open-jaw ticket to Africa on one of SkyTeam’s 20 member airlines, or a Go Round the World ticket with a stop in Africa.
At least three days before your international departure you need to book your first flight within Africa, on Kenya Airways. You can book subsequent flights all at the same time, or book them as you go if you are not sure of your itinerary.
Destinations in Africa include Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, Luanda, Dar es Salaam, Lusaka, Kinshasa, Zanzibar, Mahe (Seychelles), and Cairo.
You can take a minimum of three, and a maximum of 16 flights, with full flexibility in your dates. You can start and finish your trip in the country of your choice with no minimum stay required, and the maximum stay is as long as the validity of your intercontinental ticket. Passengers can stop in any city multiple times, and fares are based on the distance flown.
The only drawback to the pass is that flights are almost always routed through Nairobi, since that is Kenya Airways’ hub city.
Sky Team alliance airlines with service to Africa include Kenya Airways, Air France, Alitalia, KLM, Delta, Korean Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines and MEA.
How to book: You must contact a travel agent, or the customer service center for the SkyTeam alliance partner on which you are flying into Africa.
