Home Getting to Sabi Sands
  • Easy access chater flight to Sabi Sand Game Reserve
  • Road transfers from any airport to your Sabi Sands lodge
  • Airlink flights to Sabi Sands

How to get to Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Travelling to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Depending on your individual travel needs, you can get to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in a variety of ways. Most people choose a scheduled flight or shuttle flight to the reserve. Travellers on a longer journey travelling by rental car also have easy access to the Sabi Sands.


Getting to Sabi Sands by air

There are many flight possibilities available for travellers that seek for the quickest way of getting to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. From Johannesburg and Cape Town travellers can make use of scheduled flights to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) near Nelspruit. From here you can travel onwards to your preferred lodge by making use of a road transfer or a by means of a small (chartered) aircraft. Airlink and CemAir also serve Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport, which is conveniently located for travellers staying in the northern section of the Sabi Sands (see our Sabi Sands map). Also from Hoedspruit you can make use of a road transfer to your lodge. Skukuza Airport (located in Kruger National Park) was recently reopened and is perfect for travellers staying in the southern section of the Sabi Sands. Please see our Skukuza Sabi Sands page for all information related to this convenient travel option.

In short there are three major airport serving the Sabi Sands:

We are happy to assist with road transfers from any of these airports to your lodge (only in combination with a confirmed reservation).


Sabi Sands lodge link flights

Visitors of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve arriving at Kruger Mpumalanga or Skukuza may want to make use of a short onward transfer flight on a small aircraft to their preferred lodge. Many of the lodges have their own airstrips, making it extremely easy getting to your destination. These short flights are an experience in itself and very scenic as the aircraft will stay at a low altitude offering you picture perfect views over the South African Bush. These flights can be booked only in conjunction with a confirmed accommodation booking. Please contact us for more information and rates.

In short, there are three airstrips to which you may arrive:

  • Ulusaba airstrip (for lodges in the western sector)
  • Arathusa airstrip (for lodges in the northern sector)
  • Londolozi Airstrip (for Londolozi lodges only)
No additional road transfers are required when arriving at any of the above airstrips (additional landing fees may apply).


Sabi Sands shuttle flights

The fastest and most convenient option to get to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve is by making use of a scheduled charter flight from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Federal Air serves almost all lodges in the reserve daily. View our Federal Air Sabi Sands page for all details.


Getting to Sabi Sands by road

Travellers making use of their own rental car when travelling in South Africa can easily reach the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. From Johannesburg the driving distance is approximately 450 kilometres. Most of the route from Johannesburg takes you along the N4 national road, making it an easy and comfortable drive. Including some stops for refreshments, the total driving time adds up to about 6.5 hours. Please note: access to the northern section of the Sabi Sands (access to for instance Chitwa Chitwa, Cheetah Plains and Arathusa lodges, also see our Sabi Sands map) is through Gowrie gate which takes 7 hours to get to from Johannesburg.


Sabi Sands access gates

The Sabi Sands has three access gates:

  • Shaw's Gate: open from 05H00 to 22H00
  • Newington Gate: open from 05H00 to 22H00
  • Gowrie Gate: open from 05H00 to 22H00

    • Each gate serves different lodges. Please make sure you access through the correct gate when travelling to the lodge of your choice. See our Sabi Sands map for the exact location of the different Sabi Sands access gates.


    Sabi Sands Gate fees

    Upon entering the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve through one of the designated gates, a vehicle entry fee of ZAR 330 is applicable. Additionally, a fee of ZAR 150 per person will be charged. These rates include VAT and are valid until 31 December 2024. Credit cards are accepted at all Sabi Sands entry gates. Please note, from 1 January 2025, the vehicle entry fee will increase to ZAR 360, and the per-person fee will rise to ZAR 160.

    Guest conservation contribution (GCC)

    At Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, guests contribute directly to conservation through the compulsory Guest Conservation Contribution (GCC). These funds support habitat preservation, anti-poaching initiatives, and community partnerships, ensuring the Reserve and its surrounding communities thrive. Your contributions help safeguard biodiversity and promote coexistence between wildlife and people. The GCC is mandatory for every guest staying in the reserve, and we will add this cost to every quotation we issue.

    Please be aware that online booking platforms (such as Booking.com) may not include the GCC in their rates, which could result in an unwelcome surcharge upon checkout from the lodge.

    The GCC is calculated based on the lodge's rack (published) rate, with the following tiered charges (inclusive of VAT):

    • Tier 1: ZAR 957.50 per person per night for lodges priced between ZAR 30,001 and ZAR 50,000 per person per night
    • Tier 2: ZAR 573.99 per person per night for lodges priced between ZAR 17,501 and ZAR 30,000 per person per night
    • Tier 3: ZAR 310.13 per person per night for lodges priced between ZAR 1 and ZAR 17,500 per person per night

    The GCC will be charged for the first three nights only at most lodges. These rates are applicable as per 1 January 2025.