There are three (3) ways to get to the Kruger National Park, either by way of self-driving, requested a road transfer or flying to either Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) or directly to Skukuza Airport in the Kruger National Park itself. Here are some insights to help you plan your trip.
Driving to Kruger National Park?
This is a great option for the individual who wishes to experience South Africa by land and have an uninterrupted view of the landscape. With an international drivers license card you can rent your preferred vehicle from Avis Car Rental, Budget or Bidvest Car rental. The journey from Johannesburg to Nelspruit along the N4 road is roughly 350km and should take you 3h30min to drive. Dependent on where you have booked accommodation in the Southern Region of the Kruger Park you can add on a further 70km to access Hazyview or Malalane. Along the N4 route to Nelspruit you can expect to pay R300 for tollgate fees to utilize the road. This can be paid either by bankcard or preferably cash. Both ways would cost around R600 so having extra cash is suggested. The road is of good quality and there are a number of fuel stops to enjoy a break and stretch your legs.
Prefer a Transfer to Kruger National Park area or direct to your accommodation?
For visitors that would prefer to travel by car but not want to drive themselves, there is a solution to request a private transfer where you are collected privately in a SUV from your accommodation in Johannesburg or O.R Tambo Airport and driven through to your accommodation near to or in the Park itself. Don’t hesitate to ask us for a quotation. Your guide will make regular comfort breaks and stop at notable points along the route for breakfast or lunch. This journey is usually a bit quicker than a self-drive as we are aware of the route and stops. One can estimate 4h30min drive to one of the main Kruger Park entrance gates in the Southern Region.
Flying to the Kruger National Park?
There are Scheduled daily flights to Nelspruit (KMIA) and Skukuza from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. These flights operate seven days a week and several times a day allowing you to catch a connecting flight from Johannesburg to Kruger Park International. These daily flights are generally operated by South African Airways and British Airways. Flying in to either of these airports from Johannesburg is very quick with a flying time of roughly 45min. The location of both KMIA and Skukuza make accessing your accommodation in the Park or just out hassle free. These flights are great for travellers visiting camps in the southern region of Kruger Park. such as Berg en Dal, Biyamiti, Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Lower Sabie, Skukuza.
Domestic Flights
All travellers are required to check in at the airport at least one and a half hours prior to the indicated departure time.
International Flights
All travellers are required to check in at the airport at least three hours prior to the indicated departure time.
Need to Hire a Transfer for the Airport to accommodation?
Let us know if you will require transport and we can gladly assist.
So just to re-cap :
There are several travel routes to Kruger National Park depending on your starting point, preferences, and the gates you plan to enter. Here are some popular routes to consider:
It’s important to note that road conditions, travel times, and distances can vary, so it’s advisable to use a reliable navigation tool or map app to plan your route. Additionally, make sure to check for any travel advisories, road closures, or border crossing requirements before embarking on your journey to Kruger National Park.