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If you are leaving Jhbg at 09H30 then personaly I would enter via Orpen as you would more than likely only get to one of the southern gates from about 14H30 onwards. Skukuza to Satara alone you will require about 3-4 hours travelling time (plus time from whatever gate to Skukuza) and camp gates close at 17H30

As to which route to take to Orpen, would be up to you:

N4 to Belfast, then left towards Dullstroom, Lydenberg etc (it has potholes on it but its not as bad as the R36)
or
N4 to Bambi (N4 split after Machadodorp) and take the R36 to Lydenburg (which is a terrible stretch to say the least)
or
N4 to Nelspruit, R40 upwards via White River, Bushbuckridge to Orpen (which is a little slower and where you might encounter protests, you will need to enquire on this, either with Sanparks or provincial traffic). There are two stop-go's after White River but we were only stopped for about 20 minutes for both.

Lydenberg to Ohrigstad is fair with a few potholes but not too bad. From Abel Erasmus pass onwards the road is good.

The trip to Orpen via either way, count on maximum 6-7 hours (stops included) if there are no problems.

Orpen to Satara will require minimum 1-1/2 hours traveling time.

That is as best as I can sum it up, unless anyone else can offer alternative advice?

Hello

If you take the N12 direct from the airport via the N4 all the way highway to malelane gate it is about 400km. It should not take you more than 4 hours. It is a very good road. Just remember that the road has 3 toll gates also that is not cheap. Think it is R43, R60 and R50 +- for the three.

Then from malelane gate to croc bridge wil depends what road you use. If you take the river road the s25 it should take you another +-2 hours if you do not stop that much for sightings. The distance is about 45 km. If you go from malelane toe skukuza, lower sabie then croc bridge it would take you alot longer about +-4 hours as the distance is about 140km.

The total time of traveling inside the kruger depends on the road you choose and the amount of sightings you see.

Hope this helps.

Drove to Phalaborwa (left JHB at 13h00)on Friday afternoon. There are now 2 stop-go's in the mountains. The first one can take a bit of time (about 20min), but if you wait at the first one, you go through the second one without waiting. There is then 2 stop-go's between Tzaneen and Phalaborwa. But there is only about a 5 minute waiting period as it is not long ones.

As we went through Polokwane and arrived at the first stop-go it was about 5 oclock (heavy traffic). This (with the wait included) took us just over 6 hours driving from Johburg to Phalaborwa.

Yesterday returned from Phalaborwa again. It was in the middle of day on a Monday (in other words, no real traffic). It took us between 5 and a half to 6 hours.

Friends have just returned from KNP - towing a caravan - and using the Phalaborwa/Tzaneen/Polokwane road. They have said that the major roadworks/stop n go are between Moria and Haenertsburg. They also recommend that if towing - use the Georges Valley road and not Magoebaskloof. Road is in a good condition and if you do get stuck behind a lorry loaded with lumber - chill and enjoy the scenery! - your tow vehicle will thank you for not putting it under strain

Hi all,
I am going to Kruger in 3weeks. We were to leave Middelburg early[ 4am] to enter the park at Orpen gate. Plans have changed and will not be able to leave before about 7am. I want to know what the best route is to Palaborwa gate from Middelburg.

Any advice please.

Regards.

N4 from Middelburg to Belfast, take R540 via Dullstroom, to Lydenburg.
From Lydenburg R533, via Ohrigstad, and Abel Erasmus Pass travel towards Hoedspruit, but before you get there:
Turn right on the R531, which reads Orpen, Klaserie which will eventually bring you to Orpen Gate.
It takes us 5 hours via this route to get there from Pretoria (without breakfast stops).
My son has just come back from KNP, and he says that road is in the best condition. Other options are slow with 80km/h speed limits through villages and lots of frustrating slow moving vehicles, and domestic animals on the road.
You won't get better if you're after a scenic route.

Absolutely an excellent route, Lonehill Birders. Just remember, Anna, that Lydenburg has now changed name to Mashishing, with some of the signs reading Lydenburg, and the others Mashishing.

Hi there all you Crazy(in a good way) Krugers

We are going to Punda Maria in 3day's time and we would like to know what do you think would be the best route? My first thoughts was to go Bethal, Hendrina, Carolina, Belfast, Dullstroom, Lydenburg(Mashishing), Ohrigstad, Tunnel, Letsitele, Giyani, Xigalo, Punda but somebody told me it is not safe as it is in the trust and sometimes there is tree's rolled into the road and i don't know what else.

The other option was going nearly the same as above but from the tunnel we go towards Phalaborwa gate and then we go in the Kruger up towards Punda but I think as we already are going to drive far this is also going to take a long time. (And there is kids involved 4 and 9years old)

Then we thought of going Bethal, Middelburg, Groblersdal, Marble Hall, Roedtan, Zebediela, Pietersburg(Polokwane), Louis Trichardt(Makado), R523, Punda

I must add my husband wants to rather drive at night, which I don't think is such a good idea, maybe we should rather go in the day? Maybe a day earlier? (and sleep over at a place not too far from the gate maybe 100km radius any suggestions?)

What is your thoughts?

Hi Wildtuinmal, I would stick to driving during the day. The road between Dullstroom and Lydenburg is bad, as well as Lydenburg to Ohrigstad. I would take the 3rd option as the road to Phalaborwa has Stop/Go's all round that can really put some serious time on your trip.

Enjoy Punda, my Fave camp in the park.

An update, having just returned from 11 days in KNP, towing a caravan. We took the N4 from Pta to Nelspruit, then up to White River - Hazyview - entering at Phabeni Gate. I would recommend this route, since the Nelspruit - Hazyview road is in excellent condition. A few road repairs are under way between White River and Hazyview with 2 slight stop/go delays, but nothing to worry about. Apparently the real delays are throught Bushbuck Ridge after Hazyview, so entering at Phabeni and using the excuse to drive through the park up to Satara makes sense.

Stick to the R40 up to Hazyview and then to Phabeni or even Kruger gate. Don't even think about using the direct route from White River to Numbi or Phabeni which is in a terrible state - potholes, numerous delays and very poor signage to KNP.

Carolynn,

The trip from Pretoria to Malelane should take around 4 hours. The new northern bypass at Nelspruit saves a bit of time, but give yourself 4hours, which includes a leg stretch along the way. The road is very good all the way, although friday afternoon's could geet a bit busy. Remember to budget around R150-R200 for Toll Fees!

Shortly after the Machadodorp Toll Plaza the road splits. You could either go via Schoemanskloof, or through Waterval Boven. I would definitely suggest the Schoemanskloof road. Much better road!

*G

Andrew, are you stayig at the Brewery.

I would take the road to Sabie, from there Graskop, Blydepoort, and then down to the Ohrigstad/Hoedspruit road, very scenic, but you can also go Sabie, Hazyview, Bushbuckridge, Hoedspruit, Phalagat if you are in a hurry. This road is actually very good.

The road between Lydenburg, Dullstroom, and Lydenburg Ohrigstadd is bad.

The Spar opens 7am on a Sunday, so you should be cool.

Agree with what Guzz said.
The road is in good condition and no bad patches at all. And like Guzz said, the Schoemanskloof road is better IMHO. The one via Watervall(Boven/Onder) is used by the trucks, and if you get stuck behind one of them you can add some serious time to your traveling.

And on the Schoemanskloof road there is a fruit(orange) stall that sells the most delicious oranges! And orange juice fresh! Worth a stop!!

As for the road from PE, I cant help, sorry.

The travelling time from Pretoria to Malelane is about 3.5-4 hours, depending how you drive; the last time I drove it (a few months back) it was in fine condition; the N4, like most of our N-roads, is usually in top form. Since they opened the double lane for most of the way, travelling it can be busy but at least you know you should have an incident-free trip.

I'm not sure which roads in the Free State you are referring to, Carolynn, but the N1 has always been in excellent condition from Colesberg through to Johannesburg. By P.E. I assume you mean Port Elizabeth? If that is the case, I would meet up with the N1, drive from there to Jo'burg, then via the N12 to Witbank/Middelburg, and down the N4 to Malelane. There are still restrictive roadworks around the East Rand for several kilometres on the N12, but if you drive them carefully and slowly, the road soon opens up to an easy drive to Witbank.

Hi Carolynn

You are right. They are still busy with the roads before Bloemfontein. There are a few stop and go's that you will have to go through. There are routes that you can go round them but the roads are narrow and are also not in great condition. NOT suitable for caravans and trailers.

If you go PE - East London - Bloem this way i think it is even worse , also alot of stop and go's .

The other way is via Durban then through Swaziland but the road from PE to Durban is not that great either.This will prob be a very long trip.

Sorry to say unfortunately you are staying in the wrong town.

But the good news is that from Bloem to Nelspruit the roads are in good condition.

Chas