Flying around South Africa for a local experience

South Africa is such a versatile country, with major modern cities, desert areas, game reserves, wine country and endless sandy beaches.  How on earth do you choose which area to visit?

To make life easier, there are local airlines that can fly you around conveniently within the country, making the choices a little easier and most major cities have an airport.  There are many cheap flights available online to get from place to place.  Let's have a look at a few of the major airports that you can choose from:
 

OR Tambo International Airport - Photo: Kaihsu Tai

Johannesburg, Gauteng; In Johannesburg you can fly in or out of the OR Tambo International Airport (JNB).  This is a major airport located in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni near to the city.  The airport serves as the primary airport for domestic and international travel to/from South Africa and is Africa's busiest airport with a capacity to handle up to 28 million passengers annually.  It is also the hub of South Africa's largest international and domestic carrier, South African Airways (SAA), and a number of smaller local airlines.

Bloemfontein, Free State:

Bloemfontein Airport (BFN)  underwent a huge upgrade in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which was held in South Africa.  South African Express is the operator with the most scheduled flights to Bloemfontein and Mango, a subsidiary of South African Airways, operates one daily flight to Cape Town.

Durban, Kwazulu-Natal:

Here we have King Shaka International Airport (DUR) (taking over from the previous Durban International Airport) which services both domestic and international flights.  The airport is located at La Mercy, about 36 kilometres (22 mi) north of central Durban.
 

Cape Town, Western Cape: Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is the primary airport serving the city of Cape Town, and is the second busiest airport in South Africa and the third busiest in all of Africa.  The airport is located around 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the city centre. Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape: Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) is located around 3.2 kilometers (2 mi) south of the city's central business district.  The airport has been given the name "Ten minute airport" as it is said to be less than 10 minutes' drive from most major areas of Port Elizabeth.

PE Airport - Photo courtesy: NJR ZA

The full list of South African airports can be accessed on Wikipedia here.  So, take your time with your South African holiday.  You can choose to fly around at your leisure once in the country.