One of the easiest and closest airports to get to the Kruger National Park is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP). Flying into KMIA puts the world-famous Kruger National Park on your doorstep from the minute you land.
Here are our top 5 reasons we think KMIA is the best airport to get to the Kruger.
- Proximity to the Kruger National Park
Located just 40kms from the nearest entrance to the Kruger National Park, KMIA is the only international airport close to the Kruger and the iconic Sabi Sands Game Reserve. It allows easy & convenient access to 5 entrance gates of the Kruger National Park.
- Wide variety of hire car options
All the major hire car companies and others are located in the airport terminal (think Avis, Hertz, Thrifty & Europcar) and multiple entrance gates to the Kruger are within easy reach. Hiring the best vehicle for driving in the Kruger is a breeze with a wide variety of hire car choices.
- Perfect for Kruger National Park self-driving
When self-driving, plan your trip & choose which gate to enter the Kruger. KMIA is closest to Numbi (40kms) and also the game-rich areas of Malelane (65km) and Crocodile Bridge (112km). Also consider the popular gates of Paul Kruger (95km) and Phabeni (70km); these are both within easy driving distance from the airport. KMIA is also the nearest airport to Marloth Park & the Mjejane Game Reserve in the southern areas of the park.
- Convenient access to many lodges and private game reserves in the area
Road transfers direct to your lodge are also available with most lodges and private reserves surrounding the Kruger offering pick up and drop off services to KMIA. There are also a variety of shuttle services throughout the region offering services to/from KMIA, making it an easy starting point for your safari adventure.
- Lodge Link service offering you direct connections to your safari lodge
KMIA is serviced by Airlink & offers daily direct flights to and from Cape Town & Johannesburg as well as international destinations like Vilanculos & Livingstone Falls. Airlink connects you to the widest network and choice of flights in Southern Africa.
Airlink also provides a Lodge Link service which connects you onward to various lodge airstrips both within the Kruger National Park and the famous Sabi Sands Game Reserve. The Airlink Lodge Link service currently caters to the Ngala, Ulusaba, Arathusa, Londolozi and Phinda airstrips.
You can also visit KMIA’s website at www.kmiairport.co.za for more information about the airport or www.flyairlink.com for flight schedules and prices.
So, whether you’re planning your first trip or you’re a seasoned visitor to the Kruger National Park, KMIA is an easy and convenient starting point. A handy tip for travellers? The airport is sometimes referred to as Nelspruit and the airport code for the Kruger airport is MQP.
Happy travels!