Kruger National Park is easily accessible from the major South African cities – Cape Town and Johannesburg.

There are direct flights from and to Cape Town – allowing you to add a safari stop to either the start or end of your South African adventure. For those arriving in Johannesburg, there are direct flights into Kruger National Park on a daily basis.

As there are various flights to Kruger National Park, we’ve made a list below with all the available airports. This allows you as the traveler to choose the best-suited option for your personal travel needs.

How to Get to Kruger National Park

There are several airports that serve Kruger National Park: Skukuza, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Hoedspruit Eastgate, Nelspruit, and Phalaborwa.

Daily flights from major airports in South Africa, such as Johannesburg or Cape Town are also available daily. Generally, it is advisable to fly to a major airport such as Johannesburg and then take a short domestic flight to one of the airports located near Kruger National Park.

Skukuza Airport

Skukuza Airport is a private airport located within Kruger National Park and in close proximity to Skukuza main camp. This is an ideal option for those who don’t enjoy the hassle of organizing separate transport from outside of airports. There are daily flights flying to Skukuza Airport from both Cape Town and Johannesburg.

For those wanting the ultimate luxury experience –  one should consider booking a Kruger National Park safari tour. This allows you to fly directly into the park and immediately depart in an open vehicle for your first game drive. An experienced and knowledgeable guide will take you through your wildlife spotting journey.

What makes the airport so unique is that it provides a direct gateway into one of the world’s largest protected wildlife areas.

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport

KMIA located in Mbombela (Nelspruit) is the gateway to Kruger National Park. The airport is situated within a brief drive lasting under an hour from the national park. Making it a convenient option for those wanting to dive straight into their safari adventure.

As it is ideally located, it allows for great safari opportunities. Arriving early in the morning and not wanting to waste the rest of your day? We have the perfect solution for you – a half-day game drive in Kruger. This is a great option for those that want to make the most of their time in the African wilderness.

An interesting fact about the KMI Airport is that the terminal building, constructed in an African theme under thatched roofing has a total floor space of 7350 square meters. This makes it the largest thatch constructed airport not only in South Africa but in the world.

Hoedspruit Airport – Eastgate

Hoedspruit Airport is a regional airport located in the eastern region of South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Meaning it is closely situated to Kruger National Park.

Did you know that Eastgate Airport boasts the second-longest runway in South Africa? It also welcomes connecting flights from Cape Town and daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg.

Hoedspruit Airport is less than an hour’s drive to Kruger, making it another great option for those who want to begin their safari right away. It is recommended to spend at least 2 nights in the area. Allowing you to take full advantage of the magnificent wildlife with a full-day safari tour. No trip to South Africa is complete without having attempted to spot all the animals that make up the Big Five.

Nelspruit Airport

Nelspruit Airport is an older airport in the region. Much of its activity has been taken over by Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. However, there are still some shorter flights which arrive and depart from the airport.

The airport is located roughly one hour from the southern region of Kruger National Park – which offers several chances to see local wildlife. Most people aren’t able to tell the difference between a leopard versus a cheetah – but this can change today. Keep an eye out for the lazy tree-resting leopards when embarking on an exciting leopard tour of Kruger National Park.

Phalaborwa Airport

Formally known as Hendrik Van Eck Airport, it is located in the South African province of Limpopo. The airport is roughly situated 2 kilometers from Kruger National Park’s Phalaborwa Gate. As it is the closest airport to Kruger National Park it is a great starting point for your safari trip.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the local wilderness and animals and go on a privately guided Kruger Park safari tour. Start in the southern area of Kruger Park and end in a private safari lodge on 19 000 acres of untouched land, where the Big Five love to roam around.

This tour takes you through some of the best game viewing bushes in Africa. It’s an African adventure you don’t want to skip.

Flights From Johannesburg to Kruger National Park

From Johannesburg, Airlink in alliance with South African Airlines provides a 50-minute flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Flights cost approximately $200-$400 USD per person and depart several times a day. Prices vary depending on the time of year you book.

Flights From Cape Town to Kruger National Park

When looking to fly to Kruger National Park from Cape Town – the best airport to fly into is Skukuza Airport, as it is located inside Kruger. Daily flights are available with Airlink with flight time lasting two and a half hours.

Depending on the season you choose to fly in, the cost of your ticket price will vary. Flights can cost anywhere from $350-$600 USD per person.

Final Thoughts on Kruger National Park Airports

The ease of access to Kruger Park from airports makes it one of the top safari destinations in Africa. It lies roughly four to six hours from the nearest international airport in Johannesburg (OR Tambo).

For those who find the drive too exhausting and long, you can travel via air. Take a quick flight from either Johannesburg or Cape Town to one of the many airports situated near Kruger. Making travel to and from the reserve a breeze

Wait no longer and embark on your safari journey! Arrive in a place that can be visited for a lifetime.