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Can't miss it, yoda, just keep going It's great. I reckon it cuts 15 to 20 minutes off the original road. (Although it did confuse my GPS a lot - she thought I was doing 120 km/h in open veld )

Hi All.
We are headed to KNP on the 31st Dec and our first two nights are at Letaba and was thinking of entering at Orpen rather than Phalaborwa as we can only check in from 2pm.
Has anyone recently travelled to Orpen from Jhbg via Nelspruit, Hazyview along the R40?
If so what is the road condition like? I know it is slower from Hazyview (lower speed limits) than other roads to Orpen, but I am starting to seriously dislike the Lydenburg routes due to the bad road conditions.
Is the R40 any better than the R36/R540?
Your experiences/comments will be appreciated
Many thanks

Hi GlenD

I traveled that road about a month ago - but at 06:30 and I have to say I was quite pleasantly surprised - the road was good and on a lovely sunny morning was nice to see the surrounding area.

Please note however that it is now Holiday season so there may be more traffic on the road than usual - when I traveled that route is was moderately busy - not too many vehicles - that may be different during holiday time.

One thing I can tell you is that this road is quite dangerous at night - and more so during the weekedns and party times - lots of intoxicated people - both in cars and on foot.

I don't want to be too negative but please be careful on the R40 and the section to Orpen (the Bushbuckridge road) The drivers do not respect White lines or the Orange lines (emergency lanes) on the side of the road - both seem to mean that these are indicators to pass - I have seen to many accidents as a result of this practice

Have a safe trip and a wonderful New Year in the Park - it is really looking great - green and lush.

KR

KC

Hi GlenD - we travelled the Lydenburg - Ohrigstad - Klaserie - Orpen road in October and it wasn't too bad. OK the climb over the pass can be a pain if there is slow traffic and there were occasional potholes, but on the whole not as bad as previous trips.

However, there has been considerable rain since then, so more potholes might have developed.

Whichever way you go, travel safe and have a great time in KNP!

Thanks Hippotragus
I travelled the R36 between Lydenburg and N4 in May this year and bust the right front shock due to the bad road.

I have since decided to leave a bit later and enter at Phala, going via Polokwane/Tzaneen.

I just came back from Kruger in Nov via Phala/Tzaneen and there are major road works with a stop/go on the Magoebaskloof road and no overtaking (officially) which made it quite slow. The stop was 10 or 15 mins (with very enterprising locals selling fruit and veggies while you wait ). Of course in that hilly country there is nowhere much to put detours. I took the George's Valley road R528 from Tzn which was fine until I hit the R71. Wished afterwards that I had gone up through Duiwelskloof R36 and caught onto the R81 to Polokwane although that is a road I have never travelled. The area from Moria throught to Polokwane is practically urban now and scary with pedestrians and fast moving traffic. I counted one dead dog and one kitten.

Tzaneen to Phalaborwa is a good road.

GlenD enjoy your trip and safe travelling.

I went to Phalaborwa via Belfast/Lydenburg and found a good road with repairs being done in places and few potholes. Also missed the Machado toll . I just battled with signage going through both Belfast and Lydenburg and had to ask in both places because neither is straight through.

I found the Lydenburg road absolutely fine. If you go to Lydenburg and then the Long Tom Pass you will drive through some stunning countryside!

This time we might try (to get to the Forever Blyde resort before heading to Kruger) N4, R539, R37, R532 as the journey looks spectacular. Any thoughts?

Hi

Can anyone advise me what the current state of the roads are from Belfast to the Strydom tunnel area so that I make a decision as to whether I should enter the Kruger from one of the southern gates or at Orpen gate. I am going to camp at Satara.

Garrow, I did that road a week ago, and it is fairly bad, lotsa potholes, and deep ones at that. But it could be negotiated during the day, at night it might be a bit dicey.

That road is proof that it is possible to make a road in a pothole.

Hi - we are heading for Punda mid April and I was looking for advice as to the best route from Johannesburg.
N1 all the way to the turnoff or via Tzaneen and Giyani?
Thanks

The best route at this stage would be to take the N1 to Louis Trichardt and then travel past Thoyandou (spelling) to Punda gate. The road that goes past Giyani is under construction with quite a few stop/go waiting periods.

N1 to Louis Trichardt, then past Thohoyandou is the most direct, and is a pretty good road too. Just adhere strictly to the speed limit, especially from about 30 kms before Louis Trichardt. The stink mouse dogs are out in force along there, distinctive in their brown and blue livery

N1 it is! Thanks for the advice.
Have a great day!

Hi we are going to KNP on Sat and entering in at Opren gate.... We are travelling with friend who want to go via Lydenburg, Sabie and Long Tom pass..... we always go Nelspruit, White River, Hazyview etc.... Has anyone travelled via Lydenburg in the last few days, as to what the condition of the road might be.
Many thanks.....