SANParks.org Forums

Now that is a dead road!! But hubby insists going on it at least once on our trip in the hope to see something. We see the odd Zebrah and Giraffe. Not my favourite road at all
I think the animals know I do not like that road so they hide!

I HATE that road! At the end you feel like you've been shaken inside out! Same here - a friend told my husband they always see lion at Leeubron - so now it's a must to go there!

I love that road - not densely populated, but at least the lilac breasted rollers always put on a good showing .

I once got to the Timbavati tea room where the chaps managing the skottels told me that the day before they'd had lion chase down and kill a buffalo right in the river bed before them! I'm sure anyone there never forgot that experience.

Hi

I actully enjoy the S39 Leeubron road had excellent sightings, wild dog, numerous cheetah and lions. Its also sceneric with the river next to. Timbavati always a good place to stretch your legs

Drove the S39 for the first time last year!! Enjoyed it. I do not however like the S127 from the tar road (H1-4) that goes towards Timbavati. Shake, rattle and roll but no animals! Must be the worst stretch of road in Kruger.

I like that road. It's very scenic and I had good giraffe, zebra, waterbuck and wildebeest sightings there.

I agree francoisd ! S127 is perpetually corrugated and devoid of animals ! The S 39 however is one of my favourites in dry months.

Felt like reviving a rather old post.

As far as scenery goes this road ranks very high on my list!
The Southern section, between Timbavati p.s and H7 does seem somewhat sparse but I somehow get the feeling that it could offer a really interesting sighting, it has that "feeling", at least for me.

The Northern section, from T.P.S is excellent, we have always seen an abundance of herbivores along that road, the predators must surely be around, the entire road seems like prime leopard country and there have been Cheetah sightings fairly frequently. In July I had the enjoyment of spotting Lions with cubs from the Timbavati Picninc Site, they were walking in the riverbed.

All things considered, this road isnt as productive as some of the other roads in the Park but because of the relatively low levels of traffic, wonderful scenery and enough game and birdlife to keep me happy it ranks as one of my favourites.

P.S the S127 does seem empty...however the is very clear evidence of White Rhino towards Timbavati, cheetah are seen towards the other end.

The S39 has been a very special road for me on past trips. In November 1984, driving north, I had a pair of ellie bulls desporting at a small water hole (have NO idea which one - shall I post a pic for possible ID?) and further on encountered lions with cubs, which I had all to myself for well over an hour

Finally had to move on in order to get to Olifants before the gates closed, but was further delayed by a breeding herd of ellies crossing the tar road (probably H1-4 ... this was my first trip to KNP and I wasn't taking notes, so am working things out from old pix ).

On my 1987 trip, I saw a cheetah on a kill along this road, the only cheetah I've ever seen in KNP. In July 2000, I saw very little, but parts of the road were (still) impassable in a small sedan, due to the floods, which was a disappointment as this has always been a memorable road for me. I'm looking forward to revisiting it in 2006

It produced my first ever lion (beautiful male one) and elephant sightings near...Leeubron. So not a single bad word about this road from me.

Salva

I enjoy the road, but not because of the sightings. Apart from ellies and a close herd of buffalo, I have not seen anything out of the ordinary.
My main reason for taking the road when ever possible, is because of the diversity of the eco systems.
I must admit though, I do not enjoy the bumpiness one bit.
I do not have a 4 by 4, so it can be most uncomfortable.

If you are into birds, another good reason to go is that its one of the very few spots I have seen woollynecked stork. S39 north of Timbavati, looking down onto the Piet Grobler dam.

Odd really, as my birding book tells me they are most often seen on the eastern side of the park!

Richard

Seen them this year on the s56, mphongolo loop

But agreed on the amazing scenery on the Timbavati. At when we have travelled it we hardly saw any cars.
And dont forget the big boabab near the Timbavati picnicspot

Saw lions on a kill 1km from Tim picnic site in June on s39, plus buffs, eles and a joker said a leopard ran in front of his car 5 km from TPS, with an impala in its gob. We were a few minutes behind.