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I only travelled a few kilometers on the S37 coming from the H6 to go to Sweni Hide 3 weeks ago : the road was in good condition.
and if you are interested in birding, sweni hide is worth the trip, lot of waterbirds + hippos and crocs.
this hide is really good, very close to the animals

Sweni hide excellent.

Came across a lone female lion with a kill, as well as 3 magnificent male lions.

We were the only car on this road.

I would recommend it.

Driven it twice and saw next to nothing.

Drove this road for the first time last year. But the luck was not on our side - we saw very little. I have to admit that we did it at a bad time - right in the middle of the day. Did not see much at Sweni hide either, but the absolute silence was magic.

i travelled that road in january 2007 - the road isn't very scenic but we were lucky enough to see 2 male lions barely 2 meters from the road. i have some unique photos since we were the only car. chances are that you won't see lots of sightings and i really think there's better roads. but you never know what to expect where in the knp...

It isn't a very popular road, but at certain times of year many zebra and wildebeest can be found there, on their "mini-migration" down from Satara to the Sabie River area.

(May-June on the way down, and after the rains on the way back up.)

This could increase with the closing of artificial water points.

Hi forumites

I'm leaving for the park early Friday morning and will be staying 2 nights Lower Sabie, 2 nights Satara. I'll be entering through Orpen gate at around 6:30am and then make my way towards the S100 (hopefully the dust have settled by then from the rush). From there I'll drive down to Nwanedsi for a pitstop after which I'm planning to drive the Trichardt road for a change. Has anyone recently travelled this road and is it worthwhile. Of course its all about timing but if there is good birding or game around it makes the trip shorter. The road seem to follow the Sweni River for a long while and this could be good. Can anyone tell me whether they have had some good sightings recently or in the past on this road.

Thanks in advance
Katmal

Hi Katmal

If you don't mind long dustroads, there is nothing wrong with this road
I have done it a few times, and it definately has potential. Sweni is a must and I love the place, and if there is a sighting you have it all for yourself

The area can become a little dry, depends on the season. Would give it a try for at least once

Enjoy

Hi Katmal

We did the Trichardt road just over 2 weeks ago. The condition of the road is quite ok - particularly the last 15 kms to the H1-3 where it joins near the Mazithi dam (didnt go as far as the Orpen Dam). Had several good sightings (no cats though), specially a group of 4 rhino up close and a hyaena on a mission. I really enjoyed the quietness of the road - we did not see another car the whole trip.

Thanks Painter and Gamespotter!

I guess the problem with this road is that even if you try; this road will not be reached during the best time of day for cats, and since the cats are not used to vehicles they will tend be a little more shy! I will definitely travel it just to get away from the masses. I remember one of my friends travelling this road and bypassing visitors who exclaimed that they have not even seen 1 rabbit on this road (LOL!!!!!). IMHO I have had some quiet trips down the Satara - Tshokwane tar road as well (except for the areas closer to Satara and Tshokwane), and people tend to speed on this section of road travelling between the south and central areas of the park. Just a warning - this road is full of traffic officers and I have not travelled this road without seeing one the last few trips - also my only rare sightings on this road (LOL!).

Katmal

I just got back from a week trip to Satara. I travelled the S37 several times as it was a quiet road as far as traffic is concerned. On my last drive I was fortunate to see this Lion with his kill.

Wow what a siting adw and fantastic

WoW

SB and GS thank you for kind words.

Did the trip in July late morning, and found plenty of game along the Sweni river, but dry further south. One cheetah in the road, but it took off at great speed!
Very peaceful drive!

God bless,

Friedrich von Hörsten