South Africa Parks
By Philip Briggs
Philip lives in South Africa and is the author many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt and Insight guide to South Africa.
Most visitors to Kruger fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) near Johannesburg. From here a connecting flight goes to Nelspruit Airport/Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Mpumalanga, the gateway to the southern sector of Kruger Park. Alternatively, fly to Hoedspruit (for the central and northern sections) or Phalaborwa (for the northern section).
It is also possible to take a scheduled flight to Skukuza Airport inside the park (the southern sector) and Federal Airlines (see below) offers scheduled flights to some of the more upmarket lodges’ airstrips.
Alternatively, you could hire a car in Johannesburg and drive to the park via the N4. The park has nine entrance gates, the closest of which is in the south between 420km and 500km from Johannesburg. The drive takes between 3½ and 4½ hours.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and what tickets would cost.
Domestic Flights
Charter flights between parks and lodges are usually booked by tour operators as part of the tour package. Charter flights to Skukuza Airport in the park or any of the lodges’ airstrips are also available. Scheduled domestic flights can be booked with several carriers:
- SA Airlink (flies to Skukuza, Nelspruit, Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa)
- CemAir (flies to Hoedspruit)
- Federal Airlines (flies to some lodges within KNP)
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – South Africa page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements.
