Flying to Johannesburg​

Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) is South Africa’s busiest airport, connecting numerous international destinations. Regardless of how you eventually get to Kruger National Park, (KNP), you will more than likely pass through this hub.

The majority of tourists self-drive or transfer from Johannesburg as this is the most cost-effective transportation method.

Reasons TO fly into JNB and drive to KNP​

• Flexibility: Self-driving lets you set your own pace and schedule, with the journey from Johannesburg to KNP offering increasingly scenic landscapes and interesting stops. ​
• Cost-effective​: It’s more economical compared to domestic flights or private transfers.​
• Highways: The highways are well-maintained, providing good driving conditions.
• Domestic Flights​: Flights to the KNP area depart in the morning. If you miss them, you need to drive anyway. ​
• Car Rental​: There are more car rental options at JNB.​

Reasons to NOT fly into JNB and drive to KNP​​

• Distance​: The drive from Johannesburg to Kruger can take 5-6 hours, which may be tiring after a long flight, especially if you’re not used to driving long distances.
• Daylight​: It’s safer to avoid long-distance travel at night in unfamiliar areas. Within KNP, night driving is prohibited.

Summary

If you plan on driving from Johannesburg, It’s advisable to sleep overnight in Johannesburg on the day of arrival. 

• Take this time to unwind, freshen up, and get a good night’s sleep for the scenic drive down to Kruger National Park.
• We recommend starting your journey at sunrise from Johannesburg.
• This allows enough time to reach the southern region of KNP comfortably.
• Use tools like Waze to estimate travel distances and factor in time for stops.
• Driving in unfamiliar surroundings requires extra caution, so don’t leave late and end up rushing.