Getting to Kruger National Park

Overview

Kruger National Park spans nearly 350 km north to south with nine main entrance gates. Good road and air links make access straightforward, whether you’re self-driving from Johannesburg or flying in for a lodge transfer.


Major Access Points

Gate
Nearest Town / City
Best For
Typical Access Route
Malelane
Malelane / N4 highway
Southern camps, Lower Sabie
4.5 hr drive from Johannesburg via N4
Crocodile Bridge
Komatipoort / Mozambique border
Lower Sabie, southern loops
N4 eastbound; 5 hr from Johannesburg
Paul Kruger
Hazyview
Skukuza & Sabie River region
R536 from White River / Hazyview
Phabeni
Hazyview
Fastest to Skukuza from west
R536; convenient for Nelspruit flights
Orpen
Hoedspruit / Acornhoek
Central grasslands, Satara
R531 from Hoedspruit or R40 from Nelspruit
Phalaborwa
Phalaborwa town
Northern/central camps
R71 from Tzaneen / Polokwane
Numbi
White River
Western access, Pretoriuskop
R538; slightly quieter than Phabeni
Punda Maria
Malamulele / Thohoyandou
Far northern wilderness
R524 from Louis Trichardt
Pafuri
Limpopo River bridge
Extreme north, Makuleke
R525 from Messina / Beitbridge border


Flying to Kruger

Domestic & Regional Airports

  • Kruger Mpumalanga International (MQP) – Near Nelspruit; 30–45 min to Phabeni, Numbi, Malelane gates.
  • Skukuza Airport (SZK) – Inside southern Kruger; scheduled flights from Johannesburg & Cape Town, convenient for Lower Sabie, Skukuza, Sabi Sand.
  • Hoedspruit Eastgate (HDS) – 1 hr to Orpen Gate, ideal for central Kruger & private reserves.
  • Phalaborwa Airport (PHW) – 10 min to Phalaborwa Gate; fewer flights but close for northern access.

Lodge Transfers

Luxury lodges arrange road or light aircraft transfers from MQP, HDS, or SZK. Charter flights to airstrips inside Kruger (e.g., Satara, Tshokwane) are available by arrangement.


Self-Drive From Johannesburg & Pretoria

  • Route: N4 east toward Nelspruit; branch north or south depending on gate.
  • Distance: 390–470 km depending on gate (~4–6 hours).
  • Road Quality: Modern highways; service stations and food stops en route.
  • Car Hire: Readily available at Johannesburg (OR Tambo), MQP, HDS, and Skukuza.


Gate Hours (Approx.)

Season
Opening
Closing
Summer (Oct–Mar)
05:30
18:30
Winter (Apr–Sep)
06:00
17:30
Note: exact times vary slightly by gate; check SANParks updates before travel.


Park Entry Essentials

  • Booking: Pre-book accommodation or day-visitor entry during peak months (June–July, Dec–Jan).
  • Documentation: Passport or ID, booking reference, vehicle registration.
  • Fees: Daily Conservation Fee or valid Wild Card membership.
  • Speed Limits: 50 km/h tar, 40 km/h gravel, 20 km/h in camps.


Practical Tips

  • Fuel & Supplies: Available at most gates and major rest camps.
  • Navigation: Park maps sold at gates; GPS useful but rely on signposted roads.
  • Border Crossings: Crocodile Bridge is ~15 km from Mozambique; Pafuri ~60 km from Zimbabwe; carry passports/visas if planning cross-border travel.
  • Lodge Transfers: Coordinate gate meeting times; after-hours entry usually restricted.


Key Takeaways

  • Southern gates (Malelane, Crocodile Bridge, Phabeni) are closest to Johannesburg and ideal for first-timers.
  • Orpen & Phalaborwa suit central and northern itineraries; less congested.
  • Flying into Skukuza or Hoedspruit saves hours on the road and connects seamlessly to high-end lodges.