New direct flight to Kruger National Park
For London-based South Africans, FlySafair’s Cape Town-Hoedspruit route is a game-changer. Direct flights mean easy access to Kruger National Park.
Why FlySafair’s new Cape Town to Hoedspruit route changes everything for locals, tourists and expats visiting Cape Town
Living in London means I’ve become that person. The one friends hit up when they’re planning their “trip of a lifetime” to South Africa.
The one expected to have all the insider knowledge on safaris. I’m a Capetonian. What do I actually know about the North?
That just changed. FlySafair launched a budget route from Cape Town to Hoedspruit on October 2nd, and for those of us planning trips back home, this is genuinely significant.
What This Route Actually Means
The new service operates three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Flights leave Cape Town International at 12:15 and land in Hoedspruit at 14:45. Return flights depart at 15:20, arriving back in Cape Town at 18:05.
From a London planning perspective, this is transformative. You can now connect seamlessly to Hoedspruit and have visitors watching elephants by sunset.
No premium carrier prices, no complicated logistics, no wasted days. For those of us who visit family in Cape Town and want to squeeze in a safari without it becoming a major expedition, this route is the answer.
FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon explained they’re targeting price-sensitive travellers, which includes most people planning holidays from London where everything already costs a fortune.
The flight opens up access to Hoedspruit, which serves the private reserves like Timbavati and Klaserie, plus lodges along the western edge of Kruger National Park.
The Bigger Picture
There’s something at play here for London-based South Africans. We’re constantly explaining our home country to British friends while watching from afar as places we love become more or less accessible.
When you’re already spending £700+ on a return flight from Heathrow, adding another expensive internal flight can push a trip from “manageable” to “maybe next year.”
A budget option changes that calculation entirely.
I’m already looking at annual leave dates and eyeing that Thursday departure.