As a tribute to one of the ANC’s most important founders – the country’s premier airport was renamed O.R. Tambo International Airport in 2006. Catering for more than 17 million passengers a year – this airport in Johannesburg is the largest and busiest airport on the African continent and is the air transport hub of Southern Africa.

Over 50 of the world’s major airlines land here, including airlines from all five continents. It is the main airport for both domestic and international travel to and from South Africa, and has even overtaken Cairo in terms of passenger traffic.

It has state-of-the-art equipment and an infrastructure that has continued to expand and improve since it was founded in 1952. At more than 4 400m long, it boasts one of the world’s longest international runways. You can find world-class features here, including business centres, hundreds of shops, restaurants and bars and South Africa’s only five-star airport hotel, which is within walking distance from the terminal.

Among the special amenities include a chapel, Muslim prayer facilities, a post office, a 45-room transit hotel and an emergency medical clinic where you can have vaccinations done. There is Internet access in both the international and domestic terminals and for all your money needs there are banks, ATMs and foreign exchange outlets.

There are 5 000 parking bays and an extremely efficient public transportation system in the Gautrain, which takes you to Sandton in 15 minutes. Rent a car from the airport so you can easily explore this remarkable city but for first-time visitors, make sure the car is equipped with a GPS, as Johannesburg highways can be quite daunting and chaotic.

The airport has won the Best Airport Africa Award and came 2nd in the Most Improved Airports category at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards 2011 held in Denmark. With an ever expanding and improving service, this flagship airport should feel proud to carry the name O.R. Tambo.