How do I get to the Kruger National Park?

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:

  1. From Johannesburg to Kruger National Park:
    • Route 1 (via N4 Highway): Take the N4 highway from Johannesburg to Nelspruit (Mbombela). From Nelspruit, follow signs to the nearest gate you plan to enter, such as Malelane or Crocodile Bridge.
    • Route 2 (via R21 and N12): Take the R21 highway to Witbank (Emalahleni) and then connect to the N12 to Nelspruit. From Nelspruit, proceed to the gate of your choice.
  2. From Pretoria to Kruger National Park:
    • Route 1 (via N4 Highway): Follow the N4 highway from Pretoria to Nelspruit and then continue to your chosen gate.
  3. From Nelspruit to Kruger National Park:
    • If you’re already in Nelspruit, follow signs to the gate you plan to enter. Nelspruit is a common starting point for many travelers heading to Kruger.
  4. From Cape Town to Kruger National Park:
    • Route 1 (via N1 and N4): Take the N1 highway to Johannesburg and then connect to the N4 to Nelspruit. From there, proceed to your selected gate.
    • Route 2 (via N2 and N4): Take the N2 highway to Johannesburg and then join the N4 to Nelspruit. Continue to your chosen gate.
  5. From Durban to Kruger National Park:
    • Route 1 (via N2 and N4): Follow the N2 highway to Ermelo, and then connect to the N17 to Johannesburg. Join the N4 to Nelspruit and proceed to your preferred gate.
    • Route 2 (via R33 and N11): Take the R33 to Carolina, and then follow the N11 to Nelspruit. Continue to the gate of your choice.
  6. From Mozambique to Kruger National Park:
    • If you’re traveling from Mozambique, you can enter Kruger National Park through the Giriyondo Border Post. This route connects Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park to Kruger’s Massingir Gate.
  7. From Swaziland (Eswatini) to Kruger National Park:
    • If you’re in Swaziland, you can enter Kruger National Park through the Mananga Border Post. This route connects Swaziland to Kruger’s Crocodile Bridge Gate.

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.

 

 
 
 
 

 

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