One might imagine a trip from New York to the Southern tip of Africa to be a long, difficult and demanding travel experience. Quite the opposite is in fact true as Shan and I recently discovered.
Having just completed a week’s visit to New York we were impressed to find out what a convenient and enjoyable travel experience this was.
From the perspective of a US traveller, the journey starts with an easy morning ride to JFK, followed by a lowly congested check-in at the fabulous and modernized JFK Terminal 4.
Take-off time is a convenient 11:15 in the morning followed by an on-board lunch, and after watching a standard movie, one can anticipate a further 10 hours of straight rest before an acceptable morning arrival time into Johannesburg.
The SAA New York to Johannesburg flight then connects conveniently to SA Airlink’s seamless 50-minute jet service to Skukuza, which is followed by a short ten-minute flight on a modern Cessna Caravan aircraft (included in the ticket price), bringing you to Londolozi where lunch is served on deck, overlooking elephants feeding in the river below.
In just 24 hours since leaving New York, you find yourself in the heart of 6 million acres; the largest Savannah wilderness in the world. New York to Londolozi for lunch has indeed become a reality!
The homeward bound journey is equally as convenient, departing Londolozi on Airlink after lunch for an easy connection to the SAA – NY flight, departing OR Tambo at 19:30. Arrival into JFK is at 5:40am; in time to beat the morning traffic congestion into NY.
Some facts to consider:
- The flight is 14 hours 40 minute, non-stop (just 3hrs and 50 minutes longer than Johannesburg to London)
- South African Airways makes use of a modern Airbus 340-600 on this route and connects seamlessly to the regional airline jet service to Londolozi.
- The departure time (11:15) from JFK in the morning is easy and super convenient traffic-wise and makes use of JFK’s ultra-modern Terminal 4 where passenger congestion is also minimal.
- After take-off, lunch is served and, if you follow your meal with a standard movie of give or take an hour or two, you have the opportunity for a pleasant 10hrs before beginning your decent into ORT, South Africa’s international gateway airport, where passport control for international travellers is convenient, fast and efficient.
- The arrival time of SAA – New York flight connects well to the Airlink one-hour, super-fast jet service to Skukuza, from where an onward 8-minute hop in an ultra-modern Caravan aircraft places you at Londolozi private airstrip by latest 11:30 SA time.
- A five-minute ride in an open Land Rover brings you to the lodge for a leisurely check-in and pre-lunch drink on the viewing deck of one of Londolozi’s five luxury camps.
- All flying costs are included in one seamless SAA ticket, New York to Londolozi.
So why not come to Londolozi for lunch?
Shan and I just completed the 24-hour, door-to-door overnight flight experience, and found it to be thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable. A shout out goes also to our National carrier – South African Airways – whose improved service and modernized aircraft equipment is a credit to South Africa – a fun and friendly place where wildlife, whales and wine awaits you.
![Kambula Pride Playing On Riverbank (6) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/13085423/Kambula-Pride-playing-on-riverbank-6-RCB-280x178.jpg)
We were really impressed with SAA when we visited in March/April. They are very generous with meal plans compared to US domestic flights. The crews were all very friendly, which was nice, too. We flew JFK to ORT, but first had to get to JFK. Now that we’re familiar with the trip it’ll be much easier the second time around (and we’ll go straight to Londolozi without visiting Cape Town first). I was surprised our transatlantic flight didn’t have receptacles to charge devices, but we made it without losing power so that was a relief. Now we know it can be done. 🙂
We’ve taken the JFK – JNB SAA flight at least three times and always recommend it to others. We have to fly cross country from SanFrancisco first, but we stay overnight near JFK; the 11:15 am takeoff time leaves plenty of time to grab the hotel shuttle back to the terminal. In fact, I’m ready to leave again right now!
My partner and I flew Emirates, San Francisco to Dubai, then Dubai to Capetown where we wished to spend a few days. Then, Capetown to Skukuza on SAA, where we were met by Ranger Kevin and Tracker Ray for a Land Rover ride through the veldt to Londolozi, arriving at lunch time.
After Londolozi, we went to Vic Falls in Zimbabwe, which was sort of a letdown after the fabulous timewe had in Londolozi. From Vic Falls, we flew SAA to Johannisberg for our Emirates flight to Dubai and San Francisco.
(Parenthetically, Dubai has an outstanding business class lounge.).
We gladly fly from San Francisco to South Africa once a year. Knowing what awaits us makes the almost endless trip worthwhile. Having been to Pioneer twice & Founders twice, can’t wait to return!?????♀️
We also enjoyed our initial trip to Johannesburg on SAA from JFK and are doing it again in July. Great experience and the “vacation” begins long before you arrive!
That’s all well and good but am battling to see the point
Hi Mark,
The point of what? The post or visiting Africa from New York?
Best regards,
James
This made me smile, Dave, being quite familiar with such a journey albeit from Hong Kong. Nothing quite beats the jet lag like the 9:30 call at the gate to board the Skukuza flight!! All the best for the holidays and new year.
Hi Al,
Yip, that pre-bush adrenaline spike is all you need to wake you up properly! Hope you never fall asleep in the terminal and miss it!
Looking forward to having you back!
Best,
James
Travel time from Hawai’i to Londolozi is about 40 hours. First leg: Honolulu to Los Angeles. Then pick up Emirates to Dubai (a layover here) and another Emirates to Joburg. Then pick up by Fed Air and on to Londolozi airstrip. My favorite trip in the entire world. Going home to Londolozi.
Dave, Love how easy you make it sound! We agree, it’s easier than most people think. We fly from Sarasota to Atlanta first, and then take a direct flightfrom Atlanta to Johannesburg on Delta. It’s usually around 14 hours, which relates to a couple of movies, dinner, a couple of glasses of wine, a nice rest (maybe a little breafast movie) and we are there! You are right, all the Airlink flights make it so easy to get around ZA now. Can’t wait to do it again next July!
My friend, it is even more convenient from Munich, Germany. It just takes 15h …. without even a time shift. So, you can do it over a nice longer week end. Enjoyed it a couple of times.