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.
Visitors from abroad arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. After that, you have the option of taking the daily scheduled flight to Sabi Sand, run by Federal Air, or taking a connecting flight to Nelspruit Airport/Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) or to Skukuza Airport (SZK) in Kruger National Park. A transfer from Nelspruit or Skukuza to your Sabi Sands accommodation can be arranged and takes about 2 hours.
It is also possible to hire a car in Johannesburg and drive to the park via the N4 to Nelspruit. The park has three entrance gates for access to different lodges within the reserve. The distance is about 500km/310mi, and the drive takes about 5.5 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
There are several choices of domestic carriers and flights. However, most charter flights between park and lodge destinations are arranged by tour operators as part of your safari package. Domestic carriers running scheduled flights include:
- SA Airlink (flies to Nelspruit and Skukuza)
- Federal Air (flies to Sabi Sand)
Passport, Visa and Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – South Africa page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements.
