Flight Destinations

Flights to Pietersburg

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Though officially named Polokwane today, this city in northern South Africa is still often known by its former name, Pietersburg. Whether you call it Polokwane or Pietersburg this is a good destination to visit for nature and wildlife trips.

Flights to Pietersburg

Flights to Polokwane arrive at the Gateway International Airport (airport code: PTG), which is also called the Polokwane International Airport or the Pietersburg International Airport. It's just 3 miles north of the city. When travelling from the UK, South African Airways, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways all have the same 1-stop flight to Pietersburg that transfers in Johannesburg. Egyptair has a 2-stop flight with connections in Cairo and then Johannesburg, and a flight to Pietersburg with Ethiopian Airlines has layovers in Addis Ababa as well as Johannesburg.

Pietersburg Tourist Attractions

Pietersburg doesn’t have a huge number of tourist attractions but there’s enough here to fill most itineraries for a day or two, including attractions within the city itself, and in the natural environment.

The Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum

Pietersburg’s open air museum of the Bakone people is truly a living museum. Rather than being simply a reconstruction of a traditional village, this IS a traditional village that is still lived in by Bakone people to this day. You can buy hand made crafts direct from the people who created them within the village, while at the visitor centre you can find out more about the village and its tribe. The museum also incorporates an archaeological area where sites dating from thousands of years ago have been discovered.

The Irish House Museum

Also known as the Polokwane Cultural History Museum, this museum is quite different to that above. It’s called the Irish House because although originally built by a German in 1886, the home was burned down and rebuilt, then sold to an Irish man in 1920. The museum has displays on the history and culture of Pietersburg.

Polokwane Bird and Reptile Park

Known as both the Pietersburg and the Polokwane Bird and Reptile Park this park is right next to the city and has hundreds of bird species to see if you enjoy bird watching. As the name suggests this is also the place to come to see reptiles and there are daily snake demonstrations if you want to get close to these slithering creatures!

Polokwane Game Reserve

Pietersburg is also home to game reserve where there are over 20 species of game. Good trails can be driven around the park on self guided tours, or join one of guided day or night tours. You can also tour the reserve without a vehicle on a bush trail tour, or even on horseback, and if you’d like to spend a few days here you can either stay in Pietersburg or make use of the accommodation within the reserve.

When Should You Visit Pietersburg?

Pietersburg has warm to hot weather all year round, but doesn’t usually get unbearably hot thanks to its high elevation. The summer months (December to February) coincide with the city’s rainy period, though rainfall in general is fairly low. Average high temperatures at this time are around 27 or 28C. Over the winter it’s practically dry, and temperatures are pleasant. The average high in June and July is 20C.