Although getting to South Africa usually involves a long flight, it’s well worth it when visitors get here! South Africa is known for its friendliness, hospitality and affordability. The fact that many visitors return for subsequent visits is proof of this. This module will add even more to your knowledge and help you to assist clients with more basic information as you progress on your way to becoming an SA Specialist. Although long distances are often involved, it’s pretty easy to get around in South Africa as the tourism infrastructure is excellent. Whether your client chooses to go on a guided tour, hop on a domestic flight, take a train or bus, or self-drive, our major transport networks will get them to wherever they’re going safely and on time.
Getting to South Africa
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 license tags. They are advised to ask upfront the cost of a fare, and to only use metered 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 center, 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 (kombi) or SUV; they’ll have more legroom and sit much higher up for better game viewing. A valid driving license 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 license before your client leaves home. Remember, he or she will be driving on the left-hand-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 organized 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.
Getting around
Travelling by road
South Africa has an excellent, extensive road network that makes travelling by road easy and comfortable (except in rush hour in major cities). Because visitors can see and experience the stunning diversity of the scenery first hand, coach and bus tours are also very popular.
A scenic drive in Cape Town
Self-drive
For the independent traveler, South Africa is a mecca for self-drive enthusiasts. Although long distances are often involved, the roads are well signposted, well maintained and many pass through spectacular scenery. There are plenty of overnight accommodation options everywhere, but it’s always best to book in advance if possible, especially at major tourist attractions and on major tourist routes. South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road; seatbelts are compulsory and a valid driving license issued in your 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 license before your client leaves home.
It’s best to book vehicles in advance, especially if visitors are coming to South Africa in high season (during South Africa’s summer, from December to February).
Buses and coaches
Unless they are the very popular and good-value-for-money hop-on hop-off tourist sightseeing buses that operate in Johannesburg and Cape Town, it’s not a good idea to rely on, or even take, public transport. The exception to this rule is in Cape Town, where there is an excellent MyCiti bus service from the airport into the city center and vice versa, and a good bus system downtown. For intercity, interprovincial and regional cross-border travel, go with reputable companies such as Greyhound, Intercape, Translux and the popular backpackers’ Baz Bus, but flying is often a better option. Ubiquitous minibus taxis often rule the road in South Africa, and their often-dangerous drivers disregard traffic signs and road discipline. Avoid taking one unless your client wants an extreme adventure or there’s absolutely no other option. If your client needs to take a taxi, they should ask their hotel, guide or host to call one for them.
Trains
South Africa boasts two of the top luxury trains in the world: the Rovos Rail and the celebrated Blue Train. Both are very expensive, but if your client wants to splurge, be pampered and see South Africa in ultimate luxury, then this is the way to go. Not quite so costly, but also comfortable and luxurious, is the Premier Class train from Pretoria via Johannesburg to Cape Town. Gauteng’s Gautrain operates between OR Tambo International Airport, Midrand, Sandton and Rosebank in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, Centurion, Pretoria, and Park Station in downtown Johannesburg. It’s fast, efficient, safe and is serviced by a fleet of Gautrain buses that connect with some other Pretoria and Johannesburg suburbs. The Gautrain is highly recommended as a way of getting to and from the airport in Johannesburg in particular.
