SANParks.org Forums

I was wondering if anyone has recently made the trip up from KZN. I am particularly interested in the State of the road (particularly Stop/ Go situation) on the N11 north of Newcastle through Ermelo and onward to Carolina. Thank you.

Report back.
On advice from locals we decided to travel from PMB on the N3, taking the Colenso road to Ladysmith and on to Vryheid, Piet Retief, Amsterdam, Carolina, Lydenburg, Klaseries and in through Orpen gate.
We experienced heavy oncoming traffic between Piet Retief and Amsterdam with 3x stop/ go's.
This section was poor and frustrating but delays where short (5-10min).
Also the road to Lydenburg north of the N4 was very busy and in poor condition (potholes).

Our return trip from Malelane gate through Barberton, Badplaas, Lochiel, Amsterdam, etc was an absolute breeze.
In my opinion this is the current way to go.
We would consider stopping at either Croc Bridge or Berg en Dal for a night and the heading further North through the Park for future trips.
Hope this helps.

Hi Fritz

From Amsterdam which route did you take. I agree that the return trip you described was great up until that point. We hadn't read the forums before we left, and ended up taking 14 hours to do Malelane to Durban last week! Via Pongola etc.

We went up on Good Friday and took the N11 - that was long and very frustrating, but not nearly as bad as the trip back!!

B

Hi B,
We came back on the 01/05.
Roads were very quite and total trip, including stops for fuel and young kids, from Berg en Dal to PMB was around 8hrs, towing a trailer.
From Amsterdam we headed to Piet Retief, Paulpietersburg, Vryheid, Dundee, Ladysmith, Colenso, N3 and home.
We'll definitely continue to use this route, driving was pretty easy, road conditions not too bad and pretty country.

Hi all.

I am planning on traveling from Dbn to Pretoriuskop on Saturday this week. Route planned is Dbn-lady smith-Newcastle-ermelo-machadadorp-nelspruit-white river-numbi.

Should I rather travel to Phabeni? I am concerned about the further distance and making the camp in time. If we are late can we do a late arrival at Numbi? How does one arrange that?

Stick to Numbi gate. Contact the camp, you can at a fee organise a late arrival from Numbi gate. Leave early in the morning, you can make it in time.

Agree with Fg, long drive but if you leave as early as possible you should do it easily!
but if you see you are going to arrive late at the gate, phone and book a late arrival.

Thanks for the advice. What is the Numbi road like? Who does one phone? Any idea of the telephone number?

Allane, I haven't seen any very recent reports on the the Numbi Road, but I would say as long as you don't drive it in the dark and take it slowly it should be OK.
I think you have to phone the gate to book a late escort.
The number I have for the gate is 013 7355133
and Pretoriuskop camp 013 735128/32

Maybe an idea to give them a call before you leave just to make sure that is all in order.

Many forumites traveling from KZN go through Swaziland. If passports are in order it is quicker and less busy.
Do not speed then you can resist the arguments of any traffic cops.
Do not take meat but as they look for it in cool boxes.
You can buy meat at Komatipoort Spar and enter at Croc Bridge or buy at Malelane and enter at Malelane Gate.
There is info on this forum on traveling through Swaziland.

Absolutely kite!! The saving on time on the trip is about 2 hours going through Swaziland and aside from the one stretch before Siteki which has pot holes that are somewhat large most6 of the roads are in pretty good nick - just make sure that all paperwork pertaining to the car is in order and follow instructions to the T at the border posts regarding payment of the road toll and you will do the trip in about 7 hours!

I agree with you penny Definitely the best route ..
Though we havetravelled up the N2 North turn off the Eshowe glide off R34 go through Eshowe ,melmoth , Vryheid, Paulpietersburg, Piet retief, amsterdam,R33 at Badplaas turn right R38 to Nelspruit White river and numbi gate. The road is MUCH quieter and not in a bad conditionat all .. and its quite a scenic route too. We had to do that not so long ago when the Home affairs somehow mislaid my passport . Have a great holiday

Does anyone know if the route round Swaziland is better roadworks wise? Some friends of ours are visiting family near Piet Retief, so we are considering going round this year. Previously we found Mananga-Lavumisa/Golela border crossing straight forward so we may end up just doing that again, although it might be nice to stop for a 30 minute (tops) cup of tea with friends.

Last August we left LS camp at 6am and arrived in St Lucia at about 2pm

We travelled back to Nelspruit from Uvongo a week ago. Went DBN-LADY, Vryheid, Piet Retief, Amsterdam, (do not go to Carolina) R33 at Badplaas turn right R38 to Nelspruit. This is a better road than the Ermelo one. Just be aware that tarmac is a rumour in Piet Retief. It gives you some practice to do less than 40 on the gravel roads in the park.

Leave Durban at 06:00 and you will have ample time to get to Pretoriuskop in time.