How to Travel to Bhutan from South Africa? Yak Holidays
This travel blog features information on Flights/Travel to Bhutan from South Africa, Bhutan visa for South African citizens/nationals and more.
The South African nationals / citizens wishing to Bhutan should book a prepaid holiday package with one of the Travel Agencies in Bhutan like us (Yak Holidays International). The same local Bhutan Travel Agency will make the entire travel arrangements like:
- Processing visa for Bhutan.
- Booking the hotels / Resorts.
- Tour guide and transportation including airport pick up and drop.
- Booking your flights to Bhutan (You can also book directly from Drukair and Bhutan Airlines website).
- Arranging yaks and ponies for trekking.
- Trekking staff.
- Trekking equipment and more.
The Tiger’s nest monastery (Taktsang).
How much does it cost to visit Bhutan from South Africa?
The travelers wishing to travel to Bhutan from South Africa or any other country (Except for Indian citizens) have to pay US $ 100 per person per night as Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) to the Royal Government of Bhutan. Besides the Sustainable Development Fee, the tourists have to pay entry fees for monuments and festival visits which depend on your itinerary.
Our package Rates given below are inclusive of Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). These rates apply uniformly to trekking, Cultural tour or Festival trips.
- Solo Traveler: US $ 340 per night.
- 2 persons in a group: US $ 280 per person per night stay in Bhutan.
- 3 persons or more in a group: US $ 270 per person per night stay in Bhutan.
The beautiful Dochula pass (3140 m).
The package rates are same for tours, trekking, festival tours and other activities. Please check our Bhutan Travel links for more information on tours, festivals, trekking and other related information.
6 Simple steps to get Bhutan visa for South African citizens / nationals:
- Book your Bhutan trip with a local tour operator such as Yak Holidays (us).
- You have to wire transfer full payment to the account of your tour operator in Bhutan.
- Please send a copy of the wire transfer receipt.
- You have to send the scanned copy of the photo page your passport (s).
- Your Bhutan Travel Agent will process the visa on your behalf which normally takes a week. The local tour operator will e-mail you the e-Bhutan visa once it is approved. You are now eligible to travel to Bhutan.
- The actual visa is stamped in your passport upon arrival in Bhutan at the Paro International airport.
The duration of visa depends on the length of the Bhutan trip booked with your Tour Operator.
Bhutan visa cost is US $ 40 per person per trip. It is payable along with your Bhutan trip cost.
A sample of passport copy for Bhutan visa.
Please note that no Embassies or Missions abroad can issue Bhutan visa for South African citizens/nationals except the Department of Immigration, Thimphu Bhutan.
Flights to Bhutan from South Africa (Cape Town or other cities):
Bhutan Flight Fares:
Drukair and Bhutan Airlines have kept the flight fares at par and are given below:- Kathmandu – Paro – Kathmandu fare: US $ 468 (Economy class) & US $ 710 (Business class).
- Delhi – Paro – Delhi fare: US $ 616 (Economy class) & US $ 1033 (Business class).
Check Baggage allowance on Bhutan Airline & Drukair:
- 30 Kg in Economy class & 40 Kg in Business Class.
- Infants paying 10 % of the applicable fares are not entitled for any baggage allowance.
Passport validity for travel to Bhutan from South Africa:
The validity of passport for travel to Bhutan should be minimum of 6 months.
The view of Paro International airport.
Cabin Baggage / Hand carry:
- 5 Kg in Economy class & 7 Kg in Business class.
Excess baggage charge:
The charge per kg of excess baggage is equivalent to 1.5 % of one way Adult fare.
The view of the Himalayas from your flight:
The seats on the Bhutan flights are allocated on the “First come, first serve” basis at the check-in-counter at the port of entry into Bhutan.
Your flights to and from Bhutan are scenic and are your ultimate mountain flights. The passengers always scramble for the best seats in your flight. You can see the up-close view of the Himalayan ranges including Mt. Everest. Yes, you heard it right.
If you are flying in from New Delhi or Kathmandu, request the ground staff at the check-in-counter to allocate the seat on the left, possibly by the window. You will see a beautiful mountain panorama. One can see five mountain peaks all above 8000 m, Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt. Makalu (8463 m), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8188 m) and finally Jomolhari (7326 m).
Your chances of seeing these scenic high points on the surface of the earth will be better if you travel in early spring or winter or in autumn. The morning flights are even better as there will be less or no clouds to obstruct the mountain ranges.
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No Airlines operate direct flights to Bhutan from South Africa. You have to fly to New Delhi and make flight connection to Paro Bhutan by one of the two Bhutanese Airlines, Drukair or Bhutan Airlines.
No, It is not possible to get Bhutan visa for South African citizens / nationals upon arrival in Bhutan. All visitors to Bhutan should get Bhutan visa in advance from the Department of Immigration in Thimphu Bhutan.
The most recommended Bhutan trip / tour packages are:
The view of the Himalayas from flight to Bhutan.
COVID-19 update on travel / flights to Bhutan from South Africa:
Travel to Bhutan from South Africa or any other country is permitted now. The visitors to Bhutan NEED NOT undergo quarantine for COVID-19 and RT-PCR test is not required.
