There are several ways of getting to the Kruger National Park, each of which has a slightly different cost implication and convenience to take into consideration.
Three daily flights operate between Johannesburg Airport and many of the private lodges surrounding the Kruger. This is the easiest and most convenient way to travel to the Kruger. The flights take about 90 minutes and delivers you straight to the corresponding airstrip of the lodge you are travelling to. The luggage limit is 20kg and the flights cost in the region of ZAR 2000.00 per person one way.
Self driving to the Kruger Park is a very feasible and enjoyable option. The Kruger is about 6 hours drive from Johannesburg. The road is tarred and well maintained with clean service stations along the way. In fact, the recently opened Maputo Corridor means you will be travelling on dual carriageway for most of the way. Fuel is never a problem in South Africa, and easy-to-follow maps are available. Roads are surprisingly well signposted & traffic density is extremely low.
There are several ways of getting to the Kruger National Park, each of which has a slightly different cost implication and convenience to take into consideration.
Fly Directly to the Lodge
(Most expensive but most convenient)
Three daily flights operate between Johannesburg Airport and many of the private lodges surrounding the Kruger. This is the easiest and most convenient way to travel to the Kruger. The flights take about 90 minutes and delivers you straight to the corresponding airstrip of the lodge you are travelling to. The luggage limit is 20kg and the flights cost in the region of ZAR 2000.00 per person one way.
Fly to Hoedspruit or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
(Fractionally less expensive)
Daily flights operate from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit and Mpumalanga Airport, several times a week there are direct flights to these airports from Cape Town. From the airports you can either be transferred to the lodge of your choice by road or by a small charter flight. If you are staying in the Sabi Sands region the most suitable airport would be Mpumalanga Airport (KMIA) and if you are staying further north in the Timbavati Region then the Hoedspruit Airport is your most suitable.
Self Drive
(Least expensive and flexible)
Why not split your time between the Kruger and the surrounding Mpumalanga Region? Famous for the Blyde River Canyon and Bourkes Luck Potholes, Mpumalanga is also home to some spectacular scenery, as well as waterfalls, mountain passes and trout fishing streams. We also think it breaks the drive nicely.
Two or more Lodges
(Puddle Hopping)
If you’ve got more than 2 – 3 days to spend on safari then we often recommend splitting your time between two or more lodges. In this regard we make use of small charter flights that allow you to fly conveniently between the lodges, these puddle hopping flights are seen flying around on a daily basis. We often recommend spending time in two different areas such as the Sabi Sands and one of the Private Concessions in the Kruger.
