Airport
Arathusa Safari Lodge Airport (ASS)
Arathusa Safari Lodge Airport is a private bush airstrip serving the northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a wildlife area sharing an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park. From here, guests continue to Arathusa Safari Lodge and other nearby lodges by short safari vehicle transfer, with road connections available onward to Hoedspruit, Nelspruit and other Mpumalanga destinations.
Passengers
Luggage
About Arathusa Safari Lodge Airport
Arathusa Safari Lodge Airport is a private bush airstrip located in the northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a wildlife-rich region of Mpumalanga that shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park. It exists primarily to bring safari guests directly into the reserve, removing the need for long road transfers from larger commercial airports.
The airstrip has a tarred runway but no terminal building, fuel facilities or permanent staff, which is typical of bush airstrips in the area. Federal Air operates a daily scheduled flight from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, taking around one and a half hours, while lodge-link and private charter flights also serve the runway. Landings are permitted between 11:00 and 15:00 South African time to preserve the quiet of the reserve.
From the airstrip, Arathusa Safari Lodge is about a five-minute open safari vehicle ride, and the runway also provides access to neighbouring lodges such as Chitwa Chitwa, Elephant Plains, Nkorho and Simbambili. For road connections, Hoedspruit is approximately 80 km away and Nelspruit about 170 km away, with road transfers arranged through lodges or local partners.
Because the airstrip is designed for light aircraft, passengers should expect a simple bush arrival rather than a full commercial airport experience. Amenities are provided at the lodges, and the airstrip's direct access to the reserve makes it a convenient gateway for safari travellers.
Terminal Overview
Terminals
Arathusa Safari Lodge Airport is a compact bush airstrip with no passenger terminal building. Operations focus on light aircraft and charter flights, with a single tarred runway used for scheduled Federal Air services, lodge-link flights and private charters within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
Ground Transportation Services to and from Arathusa Safari Lodge Airport
Transfers
Book private transfers from Arathusa Safari Lodge Airport to Arathusa Safari Lodge, other Sabi Sand lodges and onward destinations such as Hoedspruit, Nelspruit and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.
Hourly Chauffeur
Arrange a chauffeur by the hour for flexible travel from the airstrip, safari lodge visits, business appointments or private excursions across the Sabi Sand and Mpumalanga region.
Car Rental
Rent a car through Hoedspruit or Nelspruit for independent self-drive travel to the Sabi Sand and around Mpumalanga, with reserve access via the Gowrie Gate.
Bus & Group Transfers
Organise minibuses or charter buses for groups travelling between the airstrip, nearby safari lodges, Hoedspruit, Nelspruit and other regional destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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