Travel Options to Askari

REACHING ASKARI

Askari is situated in the Limpopo province of South Africa, 450km from Johannesburg. You will first need to fly into Johannesburg’s OR Tambo international airport. From Johannesburg you will travel onward to our local town called Hoedspruit in the Limpopo province. We will collect you in Hoedspruit and travel together for the final 1 hour journey to the reserve. From Johannesburg to Hoedspruit you have TWO Options:

1. An internal flight which takes 1 hour
2. A shuttle bus transfer which takes 6 hours (cheaper)

The best combination for ease and cost is normally to arrive on the internal flight on your start date and leave with the Ashton’s road transfer on your last day. Please check flight times and chat to us if you need advice.

All bookings and payments for travel must please be made directly with flight/transfer companies and cannot be organised by Askari.

Option 1: Internal Flight

JOHANNESBURG TO HOEDSPRUIT

You must book your internal flight with South African Airways airlink.

The Askari team arrive at the airport at 13.15pm so you are welcome to arrive earlier than that and just await collection in the airport lounge.

Arrival: Please book on flight number SA 1227 (lands Hoedspruit 13.20) on the Monday your project starts.

Departure: Please book on flight number SA 8860 (departs 14.30) on the Monday your project ends.

NB: There are no airport transfers available outside of these times.

Option 2 – Private Transfer By Road

JOHANNESBURG TO HOEDSPRUIT

NB: Please check carefully that bus times fit around your flight times!

You will book with ‘Ashtons Tours’ on their ‘Kruger shuttle’ service.  As a volunteer at Askari you get a volunteer discount from what is advertised on the website. PLEASE CONTACT KATIE TO RECEIVE YOUR ASKARI DISCOUNT CODE BEFORE BOOKING. The shuttle leaves very early in the morning from Johannesburg so can be taken on the Monday your project begins and have you in Hoedspruit by lunchtime ready for the Askari collection.

For the return trip you should leave on the Monday your project finishes but you will only get to the OR Tambo Johannesburg airport between 5 and 6pm. Be sure that this leaves enough time for your departing flight and if not you will need to organise a nights accommodation near the airport for the Monday and only fly out on Tuesday. The bus departs early in the morning from OR Tambo airport so if you are staying overnight before taking the bus be sure you organise a transfer with your hostel for the early departure.

Arrival: Your destination is ‘Eastgate airport (Hoedspruit)’ – The Monday your project begins.

Departure: Book to board the bus at ‘Hoedspruit town’ at 11.15am – The Monday your project finishes.

For your booking, use the following information:
Destination: Askari Wilderness Conservation Programme
Contact person: Katie
Telephone number: 0714008564.

Accommodation Options

JOHANNESBURG

Here are some suggestions for accommodation near Johannesburg airport. Most establishments offer free shuttles to and from the airport so be sure to check this when booking. You will need to be dropped at OR Tambo for 6.30am if boarding the Ashton’s morning bus on your Monday start date.

• The Africa centre 
• Mbizi Backpackers Lodge
• Terrylin backpackers
• Airport Inn
• Sunrock Guesthouse
• Bookings.com

HOEDSPRUIT

• The Bushbabies Elite Lodge
• Loerie Guest House
• Thuhlo Lodge
• Mist of Gold
• African Rock Lodge

Askari will only collect from the Hoedspruit accommodation options listed here, on the Monday start date of your project. Alternatively you can choose different accommodation on Booking.com and make your own way to Hoedspruit Eastgate airport to meet us at 1pm.