How To Get to Balule | Flights, Roads and Driving Time

How To Get to Balule Nature Reserve – Flights, Roads and Driving Time

Balule Safaris

Expert

By Philip Briggs

Philip is author of ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Philip is the author of many Africa guidebooks, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many Africa guidebooks, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

South Africa Map

Balule Nature Reserve is situated in Limpopo province, west of Kruger National Park. All entrance gates lie close to the R40, up to 20km/12mi north of Hoedspruit. Many visitors fly into Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport (HDS) and then to the reserve in a rental car or arrange a road transfer with their lodge, which shouldn’t take more than 1 hour.

Most visitors to South Africa arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Many self-drive directly to the reserve, a 450km/280mi trip that takes 5 hours*.

There are domestic flights to Eastgate Airport from O.R. Tambo, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and, as of May 2026, George Airport (GRJ) on the Garden Route.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

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Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and what tickets would cost.

www.skyscanner.com

Domestic Flights

Several carriers offer domestic flights to Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport (HDS):

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Please check our How To Get to South Africa page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements.

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