Boarding pass check at Cape Town International Airport

Over 70 international airlines now fly into South Africa. Award-winning South African Airways, the national carrier, flies to destinations all over the world and is connected to major international air routes.

You’ll be able to advise your clients on which airlines best suit their purpose, and when special offers and cheap flights are available.

Let’s face it, it’s a long haul from Europe (10 to12 hours), Asia (12 to 17 hours) and the United States (up to 15 hours or even more). But passengers are well looked after en route, and often direct flights are the best way to go.

The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) operates our major and principal airports and is responsible for approximately 200 000 landings per year and approximately 24-million passengers. Your clients are in very safe hands.

Your clients will most likely fly directly into the welcoming and attractive OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, or increasingly, there are direct flights into the multi-award-winning Cape Town International Airport. If they are heading off on safari, on a guided tour, or on their own, it’s a good idea to suggest that they stay overnight in Johannesburg or Cape Town so that they can catch their breath and adjust to the new time zone.

Durban’s King Shaka International Airport is South Africa’s third major international airport. Principal domestic airports include Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein, as well as airports in East London, George, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth and Upington. Acsa provides detailed information on all its airports.

There are also scheduled flights between Johannesburg and the very attractive privately owned Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport outside Mbombela (Nelspruit), which serves the Kruger National Park and Mpumalanga.

Several of the upmarket game lodges operate their own airstrips and charter direct flights from OR Tambo or other airports. Individual lodges will provide details of flights.

Domestic airlines

Domestic air travel is easy and often very affordable because of a number of low-cost airlines. These include:

  • British Airways (operated by BA/Comair)
  • Kulula.com
  • Mango Airlines
  • South African Airlink
  • South African Airways
  • South African Express

South African Airways also operates flights on all major routes. It is always worth checking ticket prices and schedules across the airlines, as these can differ a lot.

Airport transfers

South African airport transfers are readily available and easily booked. Transfer services vary greatly and range from scheduled shuttles to private luxury cars. Transfers are undertaken by experienced, professional service providers who will see your clients safely from the airport to their destination. Airport transfers can be pre-booked online, through tour operators, hotels or other accommodation. It’s always best to book these before leaving home.

OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg

South African airport transfers also include shuttle services. There are several well-known operators offering door-to-door shuttle services, and major car hire companies also offer these.

Your visitors will arrive tired and often jet-lagged, so taking a taxi (rather than a shuttle/transfer) is not a good option. If, however, they prefer to do this, they must only use licensed drivers who display their licence tags. They are advised to ask upfront the cost of a fare, and to only use metred taxis.

In Cape Town, there is an excellent bus service called the MyCiti bus, which departs throughout the day right outside Cape Town International Airport, for the Cape Town city centre, where it is also easy to hail a cab.

In Johannesburg, your client can get onto the Gautrain, which has a station right inside the airport, and which will take them to the hub of Sandton, and on to other stops in Johannesburg and Pretoria if they wish.

Need to know

What about travelling with children?
No problem. South Africans love children. Most establishments welcome them and many provide special facilities such as family rooms. Many private game lodges have special programmes for kids on safari. All the national parks are child-friendly.

What about renting a vehicle?
Although your clients can book one in South Africa, it is best to pre-book before they leave home. If they’re going to the bush or into any of the game reserves or national parks, it is advisable to spend some extra pennies and hire a van (combi) or SUV; they’ll have more legroom and sit much higher up for better game viewing. A valid driving licence issued in your client's own country is permitted, as long as it has a photograph, the signature of the holder and is in English. Otherwise, it’s easy to obtain an international driving licence before your client leaves home. Remember, he or she will be driving on the lefthand-side of the road.

What about disabled visitors?
There are facilities for disabled people (although fewer than in the United States or many parts of Europe), and there are also specially organised tours. All major hotels will have facilities for disabled people. If your client is renting a vehicle, consult with the company over special needs and parking dispensations