Looking for flights to South Africa from Nigeria for your vacation? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about covering the transportation aspect of your South African holiday, from flight costs and airlines to essential travel requirements.
Planning your journey is straightforward with these key details:
- Round-trip flights start from $743.00 (₦1,188,800.00), with 13 airlines serving the Nigeria-South Africa route
- Direct flights are available from Lagos to Johannesburg (6 hours) via Air Peace and South African Airways
- Several carriers offer convenient connections through African and international hubs
- Book at least two to three months ahead for the best deals
O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg serves as the primary gateway for Nigerian travelers, offering excellent connections to other South African destinations.
You can book your flights either directly through airlines or use AI-powered platforms like Flightpadi that streamline the booking process by finding the best available options.
Before your South African adventure, you’ll need a visa (10–15 working days processing time) and a yellow fever vaccination.
The best time to visit is during spring (September to November), when you’ll enjoy moderate temperatures and better flight deals.
Whether you’re heading to Johannesburg for safaris, Cape Town for scenic beauty, or Durban for beaches, this guide will help you plan every aspect of your journey, from booking flights to arriving safely at your destination.
What’s in this guide?
How much is a flight to South Africa from Nigeria?
Round-trip flights from Nigeria to South Africa typically range from $743.00 (₦1,188,800.00) to $1,089.00 (₦1,742,400.00), with direct flights from Lagos to Johannesburg being the most expensive option.
Flight Prices by Route and Stops:
- Direct flights from Lagos to Johannesburg: from $1,089.00 (₦1,742,400.00) (round trip)
- One-stop flights from Lagos to Johannesburg: from $743.00 (₦1,188,800.00) (round trip)
- One-stop flights from Abuja to Johannesburg: from $1,010.00 (₦1,616,000.00) (round trip)
Your ticket price will largely depend on timing and choice of airline. Flying during peak seasons like December and Easter can increase prices by 30–50%.
Your choice of airline also impacts the cost; full-service carriers like Emirates typically charge more than African carriers, though they often offer more amenities.
How far in advance should I book a flight to South Africa?
We recommend booking your flight to South Africa at least two to three months in advance of your planned travel date.
This advance booking window helps you secure better flight deals and gives you enough time to plan your vacation and get all necessary documents to visit South Africa from Nigeria.
Booking early also offers several advantages, including:
- Access to competitive fares, particularly for direct flights
- Wider selection of seats and flight times
- Time to research and plan your South African activities
- Ability to track fare changes and spot good deals
Which airlines fly from Nigeria to South Africa?
There are 13 airlines that fly from Nigeria to South Africa regularly, including:
- South African Airways
- Rwandair
- Egyptair
- Kenyan Airways
- Ethiopian Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Emirates
- Turkish Airlines
- Airfrance
- KLM
- Air Peace
- TAAG
- ASKY
These airlines operate a mix of direct, one-stop, and two-stop services between Nigerian cities (primarily Lagos and Abuja) and South African destinations (mainly Johannesburg and Cape Town).
There are a total of 11 airlines that fly from Lagos to Johannesburg out of the 13 connecting the two countries, and they include:
- South African Airways
- Rwandair
- Egyptair
- Kenyan Airways
- Ethiopian Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Emirates
- Turkish Airlines
- Airfrance
- KLM
- Air Peace
There are a total of five airlines that fly from Lagos to Cape Town out of the 13 connecting the two countries, and they include:
- TAAG
- South African Airways
- Kenyan Airways
- Rwandair
- Emirates
There are a total of three airlines that fly from Lagos to Cape Town out of the 13 connecting the two countries, and they include:
- Ethiopian
- Rwandair
- ASKY
Only one airline, which is Ethiopian Airlines, currently flies from the city of Abuja in Nigeria to the city of Cape Town in South Africa.
Which airlines fly direct to South Africa from Nigeria?
Currently, Air Peace and South African Airways are the only two airlines that operate direct flights between Nigeria and South Africa.
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier, offers nonstop service from Lagos (LOS) to Johannesburg (JNB), with flights operating once or twice a month. South African Airways also provides direct flights on this route, and their schedule frequencies is weekly.
These direct flights typically take around 6 hours and operate from Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport to Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport.
This nonstop option is particularly convenient for vacationers that prefer shorter journey times, eliminating the need for layovers and connection times that are typical with other carriers.
Which airlines offer connecting flights to South Africa?
A total of 11 out of the 13 major airlines offer connecting flights between Nigeria and South Africa through various hubs. These connecting services can be categorized into African connections and international connections.
African Connections:
- Ethiopian Airlines operates through Addis Ababa with daily connections from Lagos and Abuja
- Kenya Airways connects through Nairobi, serving both Nigerian cities to Johannesburg
- RwandAir operates via Kigali, serving both Lagos and Abuja passengers
- EgyptAir connects through Cairo with multiple weekly frequencies
- ASKY Airlines provides connections through Lomé
- TAAG Angola Airlines operates services via Luanda
International Connections:
- Emirates routes flights through Dubai, serving both Johannesburg and Cape Town
- Qatar Airways connects through Doha with multiple daily options
- Turkish Airlines operates via Istanbul from Lagos and Abuja
- Air France connects through Paris-Charles de Gaulle
- KLM provides service via Amsterdam
These connecting flights, while longer than direct services, provide travelers with significant benefits. For instance, you can choose from more flexible scheduling options and various price points depending on when you plan to visit South Africa.
The connecting services also offer access to different cabin classes and the opportunity to break journeys with stopovers. Additionally, travelers can take advantage of various frequent flyer programs and access multiple destination points in South Africa, including both Johannesburg and Cape Town.
How many hours is a flight from Nigeria to South Africa?
The average direct flight time between Nigeria and South Africa is approximately 6 hours, though your actual journey time can vary significantly depending on your route, number of stops, and which cities you’re flying between.
If you’re taking a connecting flight, which is often more budget-friendly for holiday travelers, your journey will be longer.
One-stop flights typically range from 9 to 15 hours total, while two-stop flights can extend beyond 20 hours.
While longer, these routes often offer better deals and more flexible scheduling options for your vacation planning.
Here are the typical flight times you can expect for different routes:
Lagos to Johannesburg:
- Direct flights: 6 hours—perfect if you want to maximize your time in South Africa
- One-stop flights: 9-12 hours via Addis Ababa, Nairobi, or Kigali
- Two-stop flights: 15-24 hours via Dubai/Doha and other connecting cities
Lagos to Cape Town:
- Direct flights: Currently not available
- One-stop flights: 11-14 hours via Johannesburg or Middle Eastern hubs
- Two-stop flights: 16-26 hours, depending on connection points
Abuja to Johannesburg:
- Direct flights: Currently not available
- One-stop flights: 10-13 hours via African hubs
- Two-stop flights: 16-24 hours via various international connections
Abuja to Cape Town:
- Direct flights: Currently not available
- One-stop flights: 12-15 hours via major connecting hubs
- Two-stop flights: 18-28 hours via multiple connections
When planning your holiday, remember that flight times can vary based on weather patterns and connection times. If you’re looking to make the most of your vacation days, you might want to consider overnight flights, which let you arrive in South Africa in the morning, ready to start your adventures.
Many holidaymakers find that the longer journey times of connecting flights are worth it for the cost savings, which could mean more budget for activities and experiences in South Africa.
What is the best airport to fly into South Africa?
O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is the best airport to fly into South Africa from Nigeria, as it offers direct flights and serves as the primary hub connecting to all other South African destinations.
For Nigerian travelers, Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo offers several key advantages:
- Direct flights from Lagos operated by both Air Peace and South African Airways
- More frequent and typically cheaper flight options from both Lagos and Abuja
- Excellent domestic connections to Cape Town, Durban, and other tourist destinations
Even if your ultimate destination is Cape Town or another South African city, flying into Johannesburg often makes the most sense. You can easily connect to domestic flights operated by budget-friendly carriers like Kulula, FlySafair, and Mango.
This hub-and-spoke arrangement typically works out more economical than booking connecting flights all the way to other cities, plus it gives you more flexibility in planning your South African holiday itinerary.
How do you book a flight to South Africa from Nigeria?
You can book your flight to South Africa either directly through individual airlines or use a done-for-you service like Flightpadi, which simplifies the entire booking process.
Using Flightpadi’s AI-powered platform offers significant advantages for Nigerian travelers.
Instead of spending hours comparing different airlines and routes, you simply input your destination, and the AI technology scans multiple airline websites simultaneously to present you with the three best flight options based on your preferences.
These recommendations consider factors like price, duration, and number of stops.
The done-for-you service streamlines your booking experience by:
- Eliminating the need to visit multiple airline websites
- Finding the best deals across different carriers and routes
- Handling payment processing securely
- Providing instant booking confirmation
- Offering customer support throughout your booking journey
The platform’s AI technology continuously monitors flight prices across various airlines serving the Nigeria-South Africa route, including Air Peace, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and other carriers.
Once you select your preferred option, you can complete your booking and payment directly through Flightpadi’s secure system, making the entire process seamless and hassle-free.
What should I know before flying to South Africa?
Before flying to South Africa from Nigeria, there are several essential things you need to know to ensure a smooth and enjoyable holiday experience.
Key requirements and considerations:
- Expected vacation date and duration
- Valid visa and supporting documents
- Accommodation bookings
- Planned activities and attractions
- Health requirements and vaccinations
- Understanding of local customs
- Basic safety awareness
When is the best time to go on vacation to South Africa?
September to November (spring) offers the ideal balance of pleasant weather, lower tourist numbers, and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The temperatures are moderate, ranging from 15-25°C, and you’ll find better deals on flights and accommodation compared to the peak summer season.
The country has opposite seasons to Nigeria—their winter is during our summer and vice versa. This affects what you pack and which activities you can enjoy during your visit.
Do you need a visa to visit South Africa from Nigeria?
Yes, you need to get a South African visitor visa before going on your vacation. Your South African visa should be arranged well in advance, as it takes 10-15 working days to process. You’ll need to provide proof of accommodation, return flights, and sufficient funds for your stay.
Where should I stay in South Africa?
Your choice of accommodation should align with your planned activities.
Johannesburg serves as an excellent base for safari adventures and city experiences, while Cape Town is perfect for scenic tours, beaches, and wine tasting.
Durban offers beautiful beaches and rich Indian Ocean culture.
Each city offers various accommodation options, from luxury hotels to comfortable guesthouses and self-catering apartments. Book your South African vacation accommodation ahead, especially during peak seasons.
What are the best things to do in South Africa?
South Africa offers diverse experiences for every type of traveler. Popular activities include wildlife safaris in Kruger National Park, wine tasting in Stellenbosch, exploring Table Mountain in Cape Town, visiting historical sites like Robben Island, and enjoying beach activities along the coast. Plan and book major activities in advance, especially during peak seasons.
What are the health requirements for visiting South Africa?
Health-wise, you’ll need a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and it’s advisable to have travel insurance. Keep any prescription medications in their original packaging with proper documentation.
What should I expect when I arrive in South Africa?
South Africa has a well-developed tourism infrastructure. English is widely spoken, making communication easy. The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR), and credit cards are widely accepted in urban areas. Tipping is customary in restaurants and for services.
Is South Africa safe for Nigerian travelers?
South Africa is generally safe for tourists, but take normal precautions as you would in any major city. Use registered taxis or ride-hailing services, keep valuables secure, and stay aware of your surroundings. Stick to well-traveled tourist areas and keep emergency numbers handy.
