Travelling to the Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park, located in the northeastern region of South Africa, is not only the country’s largest game reserve but also one of the most expansive in Africa. Covering an area comparable to a small country, its sheer size and diverse ecosystems make it a premier safari destination.

Traveling to Kruger National Park is relatively straightforward, but choosing the right route and mode of transport is essential for a seamless journey. The most convenient way to reach the park is by flying into one of its three main airports Hoedspruit (HDS), Nelspruit Kruger Mpumalanga International (KMI), or Skukuza (SKZ) – followed by a short road transfer to your lodge. The best airport to fly into depends on which part of Kruger you plan to visit, ensuring quick and easy access to your safari adventure.

Kruger National Park Airports

Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS): Best for accessing the central and northern regions of Kruger, as well as nearby private game reserves.
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMI): The most convenient airport for the southern part of Kruger.
Skukuza Airport (SKZ): Ideal for accessing southern Kruger and the luxury lodges of Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

Flying to the Kruger National Park

There are multiple daily flights to Kruger National Park, with schedules designed to align with international arrivals and departures. This ensures seamless connections for travellers flying in from abroad.

Flying from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park

Daily flights from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg provide a convenient 1-hour journey to Kruger’s three main airports: Hoedspruit (HDS), Kruger Mpumalanga International (KMI), and Skukuza (SKZ). These flights are timed to connect smoothly with international arrivals, making Johannesburg the most popular hub for travellers heading to Kruger.

Flying from Cape Town to Kruger National Park

Flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Kruger take approximately 2.5 hours. Daily flights operate to Hoedspruit, KMI, and Skukuza airports, providing flexible travel options for visitors starting their journey in Cape Town.

Direct Lodge Flights

For an ultra-luxurious safari experience, some private game reserves in Kruger have dedicated airstrips or are located near small airstrips. Federal Airlines offers chartered shuttle flights that take guests directly to their safari lodges, avoiding lengthy road transfers. These scheduled flights operate twice daily from Johannesburg (JNB) and Kruger’s main airports, offering seamless access to exclusive lodges.

Reliable Airlines for Kruger Flights

Three key airlines operate flights to Kruger National Park, offering scheduled services to the region’s main airports:

Airlink: A trusted commercial airline providing daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban to Hoedspruit (HDS), Kruger Mpumalanga International (KMI), and Skukuza (SKZ) airports.
CemAir: A growing regional airline offering scheduled flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Hoedspruit (HDS) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMI), providing another reliable option for travellers.
Federal Airlines: Specialises in luxury lodge transfers and inter-lodge flights, with chartered shuttle flights from Johannesburg (JNB) and Kruger’s main airports directly to private game reserves and lodges.

Lodge-to-Lodge Travel

Traveling between private game reserves and lodges within Kruger is not as straightforward as it seems. While lodges may be geographically close, access is often restricted due to private land ownership. Unlike national parks, private reserves do not permit through-travel for inter-lodge transfers, meaning visitors must use perimeter roads to reach their next lodge’s entry gate.

For those looking for a quick and seamless transfer, several small charter airlines offer ‘lodge hop’ flights, where guests are picked up from one lodge and flown to another within 10–30 minutes. These flights are an efficient alternative to long road transfers, ensuring travellers maximise their time in the bush.

International Travel to Kruger National Park

Getting to Kruger National Park from international destinations is straightforward, with Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) acting as the main hub. From Johannesburg, there are several daily 1-hour flights connecting to Kruger’s regional airports. Additionally, Cape Town offers direct 2.5-hour flights to Kruger’s airports. Travelers from neighboring African countries can sometimes fly directly to Kruger Mpumalanga International (KMI), bypassing Johannesburg altogether.

For visitors from the USA, UK, and EU, no visa is required for stays under 90 days. When connecting between international and domestic flights, it’s recommended to allow 3 hours for a smooth transition.

Driving to the from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park

The distance between Johannesburg and Kruger National Park is approximately 400–450 km, with a driving time of 5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic and your exact destination. There are two main driving routes:

Via the N4 Highway: The fastest and most direct route, passing through Mbombela (Nelspruit) and connecting to various park entry gates.
Via the R540 & R36 Roads: A more scenic route, passing through Dullstroom, a charming town known for trout fishing and picturesque landscapes.

If self-driving, ensure you plan your route carefully, as Kruger’s entrance gates close at sunset, and night driving inside the park is not permitted.

Kruger Travel Tips

Fly into one of the Kruger airports.
Johannesburg is not the closest airport to Kruger National Park.
Do not use Google Maps when planning travel inside Kruger National Park.
Book flights in advance, especially for families and groups of more than two travelers.
Book rental cars in advance.
Check flight availability before securing your accommodation.
Find out if your lodge has its own private landing strip.
If self-driving, use maps and don’t always rely on your phone’s GPS.
Visitors from the USA, UK, and EU, no visa is required for stays under 90 days.
For international arrivals, allow at least 3 hours to transfer to domestic flights to Kruger.