Whether you're an international looking to relocate to South Africa or tour for an once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience, or a local looking to return home after time spent living or visiting abroad - you're not alone. In fact, South Africa draws more visitors than anywhere else in sub-Saharan Africa, and once you've spent time living in South Africa, you'll certainly know where your heart calls home.

Travelling to South Africa, either via land or air, is a simple matter, and the following information is basic guide for those intending to arrive in or depart from South Africa.

Land Crossings

Namibia

The largest privately owned intercity passenger transport service in Southern Africa, Intercape offers comprehensive coach networks and services, including a regular service between Cape Town and Windhoek via Upington (approx. 20hrs) or between Jo'burg and Windhoek (25 hrs).

Botswana

The Jo'burg/Pretoria to-from Gaborone route is serviced by the more comfortable Intercape coaches (6 hrs) or the cheaper alternative of minibuses that run via Mafikeng (North-West Province).

Mozambique

A variety of bus companies service the Jo'burg/Pretoria to-from Maputo (via Nelspruit) route (approx. 8-9hrs), including Greyhound, Intercape Mainliner, Panthera Azul and Translux. The Baz Bus is another option, linking Jo'burg/Pretoria, Nelspruit and Durban with Manzini (Swaziland); the minibus taxi to Maputo operates out of Manzini.

Train is a possibility with the Shosholoza Meyl Komati train running daily (except Saturday) between Jo'burg and Komatipoort via Pretoria and Nelspruit (13-14hrs). From Komatipoort, change to the Mozambican train to Maputo (5hrs), or take a minibus (1-2hrs).

You can combine your trip to Mozambique with a visit to the Kruger National Park. Here you will have the chance to view the Big 5 of Africa along with the beauty of the African landscape. There are several lodges, guest-houses and hotels near the region that you can book as your ideal Kruger Park Accommodation.

Lesotho

Quick minibus taxi connections are offered from Bloemfontein to Botshabelo (1hr); subsequent travel from there to Maseru takes one and a half hours. Two buses run each day to-from Bloemfontein and Maseru Bridge (3hrs) from Big Sky Coaches. Jo'burg and Maseru (6-7hrs) services run at least three times a week.

Air Passage

Johannesburg International Airport is the major hub for South Africa and the nearby regional surrounds, while Cape Town International Airport is receiving an increasing amount of direct flights from Europe. For instance, Air France serves Johannesburg International Airport from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, and British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both serve Johannesburg International Airport and Cape Town International Airport from London airports. For British Airways, base yourself near Heathrow for maximum ease when choosing your hotels in London. From LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), Emirates, South African Airways, and Air France have appealing offers to Johannesburg International Airport, and with your base at hotels in Los Angeles, it's easy to venture out to discover more about living and travelling in South Africa.