Getting to and from the Northern Kruger safari locations

The drive to the safari location from Johannesburg takes about 6-7 hours.

Information that relates specifically to the Lodge-Treehouse and Luxury Tented Lodge Safari (as per northern Kruger options on this website)

You will take a shared transfer that does pick-up at your pre-safari accommodation in Johannesburg ONLY. Drop-off is at the lodge directly. OR Tambo airport pick-up is at 9:30 am at the latest for these two safari options. Drop-off after the safari is at your post-safari accommodation in Johannesburg again or OR Tambo airport.

The safari transfer is a great road trip tour and quite fun. You do get to see much of South Africa when driving and get to meet new people from interesting backgrounds. The road travels though various towns, down the escarpment (with nice scenic mountains and forests) to Hoedspruit and ultimately the safari location.

It is a long trip, however most of the way is highway and most guests do the safaris via road transfer, due to the affordability of it. Thinking about it, it is not really that far (just manageable).

Flights come at an additional cost on top of a safari package rate that already includes transport by road. Hoedspruit airport pick-up or drop-off however is at ZAR 500 per person discount per pick-up/drop-off.

Domestic flights are more convenient and recommended, should you be able to afford them. This can also help, should your international arrival flight land too late to join the safari on the same day it starts. Please just note there is no stop at Three Rondavels on the last day with a flight departing from Hoedspruit airport.

Pick-up and drop-off locations of the Lodge-Treehouse and Luxury Tented Lodge Safari:

1. OR Tambo International Airport (in Johannesburg) OR any accommodation in the city.
Pick-up time: 6:30 am to 9:30 am at the latest
Drop-off between 16:30 and 18:00 pm

2. Hoedspruit airport – (1 hours’ drive to Sabi Sand) – No stop at Three Rondavels on the last day with a flight departing from here. Hoedspruit airport pick-up or drop-off is at ZAR 500 per person discount per pick-up/drop-off.
Any flight times. Please book these yourself on http://www.flyairlink.com/

3. Any address or location in Hoedspruit
Pick-up by 12:00 pm.
Drop-off by 12:00 pm.

4. In case your flight logistics just doesn’t fit, we can also offer a any-time private transfer at an additional cost of ZAR 9000 on top of the safari price (one way) for the whole group. Please just note that you still need to take the start time of your first activity into account in this case.

Pre- and post-safari accommodation, activities and transfers:

Should you have a pre-/post-safari accommodation in Johannesburg, we can book an airport transfer for you if you need one. Also for the last day, should you stay overnight in Johannesburg. These cost R850 one-way per transfer, not per person (not included in our safari rate). This is something we usually book at https://airportlink.co.za/ (so can do it in your behalf if you need it).

We can also assist to book a basic B&B with included airport transfers in Johannesburg.

Day trips in Johannesburg can also be offered, should you stay extra nights in the city.

You’re welcome to ask your consultant to add these services.

Details about recommended flight check-out timeframes:

Please allow for 2.5 – 3 hours check-in and check-out of international flights and 1-2 hours check-in and check-out for domestic flights. Online/internet flight check-in on the day will save some time and is recommended.

Shuttle tickets, transfer driver contact numbers etc. will be sent through a week before the trip when all is arranged.

Getting to and from luxury lodges in Northern Kruger

The transportation from OR Tambo in Johannesburg starts with a shuttle when going to a luxury lodge in Northern Kruger (a small reliable and quality bus company that does regular drives from/to the airport). The shuttle starts at the OR Tambo airport and ends at Hoedspruit.

From Hoedspruit, you will have a transfer to the safari location on a private vehicle (a transfer only for your group).

The shuttle is a great road trip tour and quite fun. You do get to see much of South Africa when driving and get to meet new people from interesting backgrounds. The road travels though various towns, down the escarpment (with nice scenic mountains and forests) to Hoedspruit and ultimately the safari location.

It is a long trip, however most of the way is highway and most guests do the safaris via road transfer, due to the affordability of it. Thinking about it, it is not really that far (just manageable).

Flights come at an additional cost on top of a safari package rate that already includes transport by road. Some Northern Kruger lodges (such as Kapama) do however include free pick-up and drop-off at Hoedspruit airport. In such a case, you will save the minor fees of a shuttle (ZAR 1000 per person one-way). You can can then book flights that land and depart directly at Hoedspruit airport.