‘Inside the most staggering airport I’ve ever been to’

I wasn’t quite prepared for my safari to start as soon as I left the airport car park.

But that definitely was an elephant standing in dry river, a few minutes after we embarked on the bumpy sand track just minutes after landing.

And that wasn’t the only surprising thing about flying into the airport which was once dubbed the ‘world’s most beautiful’.

Skukuza Airport is within Kruger National Park in South Africa. That means sometimes the animals even infiltrate the runway.

While there is a fence to keep out the big ones like giraffe, leopard, and rhino, vultures and monkeys have interloped the tarmac according to news reports.

A fellow traveller even told us a deadly snake once caused an evacuation of the terminal.

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And speaking of that, forget soulless halls with dodgy chairs, this one is designed to feel like part of the bush.

It has a thatched roof, tropical gardens, and chic animal statues.

And no, it’s not just for the ultra-rich on private jets. It handles ten flights a day from South African domestic carrier Airlink to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Our flights cost us about the same as a Jetstar ticket from Sydney to Melbourne.

Once you get off the plane, forget jostling at the conveyer belt for your baggage.

Staff loaded all the suitcases from the plane on a truck. They placed them by hand on a wooden platform out the front, and we grabbed ours.

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From there, our safari lodge driver loaded them directly onto the truck headed to Sabi Sand Reserve nearby.

We were straight into the bush with impala and even that elephant putting in an appearance.

And on our return three days later we got a better look at the airport Forbes named the most beautiful in 2018 (articles have resurfaced recently, as travellers flock on safaris).

It’s certainly the most jaw-dropping one I’ve ever seen.

There are only three check-in desks, one security scanner, and a small shop.

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We waited for our flight on chic seats in the outdoor covered lounge overlooking a tropical garden.

And when the plane landed just metres away (yes, it’s quite loud) there were no announcements. Instead, a nice chap walked out and told us it was time to get on.

We walked over to the aircraft, which was parked amid the spectacular bush.

It’s honestly a journey I’ll never forget

Other renowned airports round the world include tropical-feeling Koh Samui Airport in Thailand.

It feels like an outdoor mall, with cafes, shops, bars, and grassy areas where you can relax.

But you can get an impressive layover at bigger hubs too.

Singapore’s Changi Airport is famously one of the world’s most renowned, with a waterfall and butterfly garden.

Doha Airport in Qatar also has a vast indoor garden called The Orchard.

The writer travelled at her own expense.