FlySafair’s New Kruger Route Brings Cape Town Even Closer to the Bush

Two Safari Gateways. One City. Easier Access.

FlySafair is making it even easier for Cape Town travellers to swap ocean views for Big Five sightings, with a brand-new route to Hoedspruit launching this spring — and daily flights to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) taking off just before that.

Starting 2 October 2025, the budget-friendly airline will operate three weekly flights between Cape Town International (CPT) and Hoedspruit (HDS) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The outbound flight departs Cape Town at 12:15pm, landing in Hoedspruit by 2:45pm, with the return leg scheduled from 3:20pm to 6:05pm.

And that’s not all. From 1 October, FlySafair will increase its existing Cape Town to MQP service from three times a week to daily, making it even more convenient to reach the southern Kruger region via Mbombela (Nelspruit).

A Budget Win for Bush Breaks

“Hoedspruit is a gateway to the Kruger National Park and surrounding private reserves,” says Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re proud to offer travellers a more affordable and convenient way to reach this incredible region.”

With South African travellers increasingly seeking nature escapes over pricey international trips, especially amid rising living costs, FlySafair’s move is perfectly timed. The airline, long known for its reliable domestic service and no-fuss pricing model, is tapping into a growing appetite for local safari travel, not just from tourists, but from South Africans rediscovering their own backyard.

From Cape Town to the Wild

Hoedspruit lies in the heart of the Greater Kruger conservation area, bordering Limpopo and close to iconic private reserves like Timbavati, Kapama and Thornybush. It’s a quieter alternative to the main Kruger gates, often favoured by luxury lodge-goers and wildlife photographers.

Meanwhile, MQP serves the southern Kruger area and is just a short drive from popular camps like Skukuza and Lower Sabie. It’s also ideal for travellers wanting to explore Mbombela’s scenic surroundings, including the Panorama Route and Blyde River Canyon.

Reactions From the Travel Community

Social media and travel groups have already lit up with excitement over the announcement.
“Finally! A direct flight from CPT to Hoedspruit — no more Joburg layovers,” wrote one user in a local travel Facebook group.
Another added, “Daily MQP flights are a game-changer for weekend bush trips. Love this for us.”

Cape Town-based safari operators and travel agents are also welcoming the news, saying it simplifies logistics for both inbound tourists and domestic travellers.

The Bigger Picture

FlySafair’s expansion is part of a broader push among local airlines to boost domestic tourism and improve regional connectivity. With more South Africans choosing local over long-haul, and an increasing number of international visitors landing in Cape Town, creating seamless flight connections to iconic destinations like Kruger is more important than ever.

Whether you’re a Joburger heading to the coast or a Capetonian chasing sunsets in the bushveld, these new flight options mean you can do more, see more, and spend less time in transit.

Source:Tourism Update

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com