How to get to the Kruger!
When planning your safari to the Greater Kruger National Park area, how to get to the Kruger there is quite important! Whether you take a flight, a transfer or self drive, the Kruger is very accessible! Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport is where all is where all the international airlines arrive and depart from around the world. From OR Tambo, you can take a scheduled flight to Kruger Mpumalanga (Nelspruit), Skukuza or Hoedspruit. These airports service most of the private game reserves and the lodges in them. There are also scheduled air charter services which take you from OR Tambo to various lodge landing strips in the bush, which means that you are just a short moment from relaxing in your safari lodge relaxing.
Other option is to drive to the Kruger area. You can take a scheduled transfer from Johannesburg, enjoy a tour that takes you from Johannesburg, through the beautiful Panorama Route to Kruger, or you can drive yourself!
For a better frame of reference you can view our Sun Safaris Kruger Area map.
Scheduled flights to Kruger National Park
There are daily flights from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport to Hoedspruit Airport, Skukuza Airport in the Kruger National Park and Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) located between Nelspruit and White River. There are also direct flights from Cape Town to KMIA, Hoedspruit and Skukuza and Durban to KMIA. There are also bi-weekly flights between KMIA and Livingstone, Zambia – at the Victoria Falls, as well to Vilanculos, Mozambique making a bush and beach safari a possibility.
Charter flights to Kruger National Park
There are daily charter flights from Johannesburg to 2 main airports in the Sabi Sand, the northern Sabi can be used for the Timbavati area as well as to KMIA. There is also a great charter flight connection to the Madikwe safari area of South Africa and Phinda in the wetland coastal area of KwaZulu Natal.
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA)
This airport should be used to visit safari lodges in the southern section of the Sabi Sands, and also some of the Kruger Concession Lodges located in the southern part of the of the Kruger National Park. It is also a great start to the beautiful Panorama Route. Transfers can be arrange to whisk you to your chosen safari lodge. Charter flights can also be arranged from KMIA to your lodge’s private airstrip.
Kruger flights to Hoedspruit Airport (also called Eastgate)
This is the best airport to use for the central section, giving access to the Klaserie Game Reserve, the northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve lodges, and then also the private game reserves of Timbavati , Thornybush and Manyeleti safari lodges.
Kruger flights to Skukuza Airport
Skukuza airport is in the Kruger National Park. This airport can be used for southern Kruger access, to Kruger Concession Lodges and to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. From here there are also charter flights that can be arranged to take you to your lodges private landing strip. There are also scheduled light air transfers to the two main landing strips in the Sabi Sand.
Kruger flights to Phalaborwa Airport
This airport is best for the northern part of the Kruger Park. Although there are only a few safari lodges located in the far north of the Kruger. Phalaborwa can also be used to access the Timbavati and Thornybush safari lodges. This airport is only accessible from Johannesburg so it is not a popular choice.
Road transfers to the Greater Kruger area
Upon arrival at any of the above airports, you will be collected and transferred by road to your chosen safari lodge. Should you prefer, you can take a scheduled transfer from Johannesburg to the Greater Kruger, generally to the gate of the reserve you are staying in, where your lodge will collect you. If you are going to the Timbavati, Klaserie or Northern Sabi Sand, this will take about 6 hours. The drive is quite pretty in places.
Self drive to the Kruger
All the Kruger safari lodges are accessible via self drive with a sedan rental car from anywhere in South Africa. Obviously the drive time depends on where you are driving from! To self drive from Johannesburg will take 6 hours. You can also pick up rental cars from Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Phalaborwa or KMIA and self-drive from there. The road signs are all in English, the roads are generally good and there are some meanders that are very beautiful, like the Panorama Route.
If you are not too sure of which option suits you and your trip please contact one of our safari consultants for advice.
