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.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is the air transport hub of southern Africa and is linked to the rest of the world by many major airlines. This competition makes flights to South Africa relatively cheap, and it is always worth looking for specials. Onward, travel is mostly by car. Because of excellent roads and facilities in South Africa, some people choose the self-drive option. In most other cases, your local tour operator will arrange pick-up from the airport and further transportation as part of your tour package.
Other international airports are located in Cape Town and Durban, but these are less relevant for further travel to your safari destination. In any case, few flights from Europe or America fly directly to either destination.
Flights & Airlines to South Africa
Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to South-Africa and what tickets would cost.
Domestic Airlines & Flights in South Africa
There are regularly scheduled domestic flights throughout the country, and various chartered airlines fly to and from safari camps. Several domestic airlines fly to Nelspruit Airport/Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), located near Kruger National Park and to Skukuza Airport inside the park. Federal Airlines has scheduled flights to several upmarket safari destinations.
Domestic flights can be booked with the following carriers:
- SA Airlink (Flies to many towns and Kruger Park)
- Kulula.com (Low-cost airline flying to major centers)
- Mango (Low-cost airline flying to major centers)
- Fly Safair (Flies to major centers)
- CemAir (Flies to some tourist centres)
- Federal Airlines (Flies to safari parks)
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local South African embassy to verify the information below is current.
- A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.
- All foreign visitors will need to carry a return or onward ticket.
- Citizens from most countries do not require a visa and will get a 90-days entry permit on arrival.
- Children (under 18 years of age) must have a certified copy of their full, unabridged birth certificate as well as a valid passport to enter South Africa. If a child is traveling with only one parent, or no parents, the child must have an affidavit from the missing parent(s), which gives their consent for the child to travel.
