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I have had all of our camps booked since December for our October trip to ensure we got the accommodations we wanted. I have been waiting for the flight prices to come down for our flight from the US to JNB, specifically hoping for Delta since they have a flight that arrives in the evening. Most of the other airlines have morning arrivals. Delta's prices haven't budged, however United has a fare right now for almost $600 less per person than Delta.

Our first night on Monday is booked for Biyamiti. My question is, if our flight arrives at JNB at 8:40am, by the time we go through customs, get our car, stop to pick up a few items, can we make it to Biyamiti on time?

The only option to get this lower price is for the flight to arrive at 8:40am the day we're booked to arrive at Biyamiti. We can't even get that price is we arrive the morning before at 8:40am, which would allow us to rest up at a hotel near the JNB airport, then drive to Biyamiti early the next morning.

What would you do???

Hi LeftyLynn, a hearty welcome to the forum!

I would say, depending on how long it takes to get through customs, get your car, etc., you will still make it to Biyamiti before gate closing time (which is 18:00 in October). It takes about four hours from Oliver Tambo to Malelane Gate, with another 41 kms to Biyamiti, which will take you more or less 1,5 hours at 30 kms/h (speed limit on gravel roads is 40 km/h and on the tarred road 50 km/h).

Why not stop at the town (Malelane) to buy what you need in the camp? It will not be as busy as in Johannesburg. Just remember, there is no shops at Biyamiti. You can buy ice, but that is about it. I can also tell you, Biyamiti is our most favourite camp in Kruger! It is a beautiful camp with awesome accommodation and of course the wonderful Bushveld atmosphere! We love to go there!

Have a nice flight in October, a safe journey to KNP and enjoy every minute of your holiday! We will also appreciate a trip report once you are back home, to tell us all about your wonderful experiences and show us pictures of all the gorgeous sightings!

I would head straight for Kruger. You'll have plenty of time even if your plane is delayed for 3 hours. No need to spend a night outside the park and as mentioned you can buy things at Malelane or head over to Skukuza the next morning and get a few things there.

I agree with Hilda, stop at Malelane to shop..........they have a nice Spar and a Pick n Pay.

You should make gate closing easily.
The Joburg rush hour will be over by the time you leave the airport.

In Oct last year we took 5hours to get from just up the road from OR Tambo to Malelane,with one loo break at Machadadorp.

Just watch out for the Joburg drivers!!!

Have awonderful time, and we may see you.

Being a regulair visitor jumping of the plane into the rental i would advice for a overnite stay in the Mpumalanga area/Nelspruit
8.40
The most optimistical time schedule
9.15 through customs
9.30 bagage
10.00 car keys
Remember, you will need cash and the airport is the best option to collect cash from a ATM
Imo you will be on the road at 10.30

i have some affordable tested accommodations so if you opt for this feel free to PM me

Hello!

I'm an international regular visitor travelling from the UK about twice a year. The UK flights get in about the same time or even slightly later than the flight you are talking about. My wife and I never stay outside the Kruger on our arrival day and have always comfortably made our camps by gate closing time.

Eg. our last visit was in January (2013).

Arrived TAMBO 0930
Through security by 1015
Hire car pick up and on the road by 1045 (Hire car desk is just up the stairs and very slick)
Stop at Alzu Petrol Services for 10 mins (about 2 hours along the road) for a fill up, burger and cokes etc (and your first sightings of Rhino, Wildebeast, Ostrich, Buffalo!!!!!!)
Arrived Malalane 1500 (It's just over 4 hours from TAMBO and I didn't bust the speed limits ... and i wouldn't ... lots of traffic cops)
Through gate by 1530 (having picked up provisions at Pick n Pay ... 5 mins from the Malalane Gate)
Nice easy afternoon of gaming until gate closing time and arrival at camp ... You will have AT LEAST 2.5 hours to reach Biyamati from Malalane, which is easily reachable.

Thats pretty much our last trip and is the latest we've ever arrived at the Park ... (we usually get there around 1400)

Book your discounted flights now ... it's easy, will save you money and you won't be late.

Hope that helps :-)

There you go LeftyLynn! From an experienced, regular international visitor's point of view! Thank you Flyingsailor!

I do believe that you will easily make Biyamiti, just dont exceed the speed limit on the way there, as there are lots of traffic cops around and the fines are heavy and need to be paid, if you are an international visitor, on the spot. (Thats my experience anyways).

As said above many time, just stop at Malelane to get whatever provisions you will need. Both Pick n Pay and Spar are fine and normally well stocked.

Thank you so much everyone for your encouraging replies. I knew I could rely on the experts to set my mind at ease.

I got the flights locked in on United/Lufthansa and as I mentioned we will be saving around $600 per person compared to the fares of all other airlines. That saving will more than cover the cost of our 13 nights of accommodations!

Hilda - I'm excited to hear that Biyamiti is your favorite camp. It looks like the most appealing camp to me too, that's why I wanted to be sure we wouldn't miss out on a night there. Especially since I was only able to book 2 nights at Biyamiti based on availability of the room we wanted there and the perimiter tent at our next camp, Lower Sabie.

Because I'm a worrier and like to be as prepared as possible, I do have one more question...If for some reason our flight was delayed considerably, is there somewhere we could stay in Malelane at the last minute? If the flight is delayed and we can't get into the park before the gates close, I'd like to still drive to somewhere as close to the park as possible to stay for the night, so we can get into the park ASAP when the gates open in the morning.

Speaking of Malelane, we definitely plan to do our shopping there. We will stop at either Pick n Pay or Spar.

Thanks again for all of the positive, encouraging advice. I'm so excited to know that we are going to have a fabulous vacation at an extremely reasonable price!

If you're too late to get to Biyamiti but in time for the Gate, there is always Malalane Camp very near Malelane Gate.
A very pretty and small camp.

If you are too late for the gate there are several B & B self catering places in Malelane.

Hi LeftyLynn,

An alternative arrangement can be as suggested by Crested Val to stay in one of the camps near a gate. You can even make a booking if you feel more secure on knowing you will have accommodation. During October and week days the park is not that busy and you can grap accommadation on the day of arrival.

If you do not mind to loose R500 why don't you book a safari tent at Croc bridge or for a bit more a bungalow at Berg en dal or Malelane. There still plenty of accommodation available.

I've listed the rules on late arrivals below. I am not sure how often you have visited SA, but if you need any advice on the route just ask.

LeftyLynn,

Welcome to the forum.

Since you're asking the question, I'm assuming this is your first time in South Africa.

Driving from OR Tambo to Kruger is do-able, but a few things to consider:
Unless you're flying first class, you will be tired.
The flight from JFK is about 16 hours if it's non-stop, from Washington it's a bit longer.
You will get thru the formalities in JNB relatively quickly, and will probably be on the road between 10 and 11 am.
If it's a weekday, the roads will probably be busy.
If you're not familiar with driving on the left, it can be a bit hairy initially. There are a lot of elevated ramps, just to make things interesting.
If you're stocking up for the entire trip, shopping in Malelane will take at least an hour. No matter how good your grocery list is, there may be some items that you can't find and you'll have to make substitutions. If you're rushed, there is a good chance of forgetting something.

We always stay in JNB our first night and leave for the park after a good night's sleep.

If you opt to drive right from the airport, please drive carefully.

Whatever you choose, enjoy your trip.

Hi Leftylynn,

To help make the shopping easier and quicker some folk pre-order their groceries on line from Pick 'n Pay.
Then on the day all you have to do is stop there, collect and pay for them and off you go.

Have a look Shopping and read a few more posts from there as well.

Also as already suggested if the worst comes to the worst you could ask for a late entry at the Malelane gate and swop your first night for 1 at B & D or Malelane.
Might cost you a small modification fee but cheaper than losing the booking entirely.

Hi LeftyLynn,
As usual there are very many opinions. I think the comments by Timbits are very well-taken, the only ones from the other side of the Atlantic.

You have to take into consideration your age, your experience of oversea travelling and left-hand driving as well as of Southern Africa. As Timbits, I assume it is your first time to Africa or at least to South Africa. It is overwhelming, very different and wonderful. I am living in Sweden and have in the past 12 years travelled on holiday and partly business to SA about twice a year and have also been to the US several times. The traffic in SA is not only busy but heavy and very fast in comparison to US. To get into a car in JNB, jetlagged and tired, find your way around and drive for 4-5 hours in that traffic is really dangerous, and stupid I would say.

My SO and I generally fly into Nelspruit/Kruger-Mpumalanga airport but I checked the departure times from JNB in October and it is really not feasible though not expensive (about 150 USD one way). There is a flight at 11.10 but it can be too tight. We have learnt our lesson. In 2011 going to Vic Falls/Botswana, the LH flight from Frankfurt was 2 hours late (the only time in our experience) and we and another 30 passengers missed the only connection to neighboring countries that day.

If you drive directly to Kruger, I would suggest you stay in Berg-en-Dal the first night despite Biyamiti being a wonderful camp. You can get into the camp without shopping, buying drinks, snacks and breakfast food at the camp shop, relax, walk around after a long flight and drive, get a feeling of Kruger, possibly go on a drive and have dinner in the restaurant. You will probably sleep in the next morning and can then without stress go out to Malelane to shop all you need for the stay.

If you are a worrier, I would not leave the car unattended when shopping in Malelane. Even if I feel the security has improved, I would not like to lose my belongings at the start of the trip.

Also, always, always keep drinks, snacks and emergency numbers in the car when going out for a drive whatever length. Have a great trip!

Hi worrier
Still believe the long flights can wear you down and it might be a race against the clock
Last year i left from Dusseldorf to change flights at Abu Dhabi
Arrived at 07.00 at OT. more then enough time to go to Kruger
But we were all very happy that we had a b&b in Waterval Boven( 4 hour drive with lunch stop) to rest and enjoy and were full of energy the next day to do the shopping at Malelane heading for Berg and Dal.
I have also done the trip straight to Kruger after arriving at 10.00 or 09.00 in the past but was totaly wacked when arriving in Kruger.

Remember , its a holiday starting when you set foot in SA.
And South African driving can be a bit tricky. Not adding more worries but rather be prepared
( i am a right hand driver and have done this trip with many airlines and times of arrivals)
Always do the shopping at the Pick&Pay and never felt unsafe