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I agree with Ndloti. Both on Schoemans kloof pass and the mist
This time of year there is often mist on the east rand in the early hours of the morning. Belfast and Macahadodorp can also have thick mist in the cooler months, So drive carefully BB

Trust me, I stay on the R525 (won't say where I'm working), and the chances of fog is very slim.. You might encounter some fog and rain while travelling through Makhado towards Mussina. But the moment you go through the Hendrik Verwoerd tunnels, it just stops.

It is a very scenic route, and I would recommend entering KNP through Pafuri. Have a brekkie at Pafuri Picknic spot (say hi to Frank) and drive the 74km to Punda. If you need further info, PM me

Hi all,
I was wondering what is the best (most scenic) route to drive from Johannesburg to either the Orpen or Phalaborwa gates and how long it takes. Also, what sites one should see on the way? I was trying to figure out if Blyde River Canyon is on the way...

Thanks!

Take the N12 and then the N4 through Witbank. Nothing to see here. Where the N4 split in two, just before Waterval Boven, take the northern route through Schoemans Kloof.
Then take the R539 to Sabie and from there go to Graskop and take the Panorama route past all the waterfalls and Blyde River Canyon.
From there you take the R36 through the Strydom Tunnel and the the R527 to Hoedspruit and from there it's another hour to Phalaborwa.
It's a long drive but you won't be dissapointed.
Good luck.

Hi All,

I’m going to KNP on the 8th Aug. We will be using the N12/N4 form Johannesburg to Nelspruit. Lately I heard over the news – road closer on N4 due to the mist being to heavy and poor visibility. When the highway is closed, which road do you use. Also will the mist still affect me in Aug? Will it be wise to rather leave earlier or later to “escape” the mist.
Hope someone will be able to help me!!

I have never heard of the route being closed except in case of accidents . Mist is an ever present possibility in the early morning , especially in the colder months from when one approaches the escarpment near to Belfast , as well as immediately to the east of the Springs (just east of the Johannesburg/Benoni) area .
I recently drove that route and turned off at Belfast to go to Phalaborwa via Dullstroom & Lydenburg . I drove for long stretches from before Belfast to about 50 km past Lydenberg at around 80km/h as I considered it unsafe to travel faster , visibility of reflective material was only about 100m for large sections .
To be relatively sure of good visibility best travel a good while after sunrise as the mist would probably cleared by the sun , but that of course cannot be guaranteed .

Hi Lapwing

I travelled the N4 twice in June. The first trip the N4 was OK but there was thick mist/fog on the Belfast-Dullstroom-Lydenburg road. Had to travel slowly as the many potholes are very difficult to see in the mist. Got to our destination a bit late, but in one piece.

Second trip was the Saturday of the last long weekend. The mist/fog started just outside Pretoria. We could hardly see the first toll booths. The fog continued till after Ultra City (more than 100 km). We just sat in the left lane, driving comparatively slowly, with our lights on. People with x-ray vision (obviously they could see far better than us) came past at high speed, flashing their hazard lights - don't know quite how hazard lights help you see better in fog!!

The second trip was quite scary but the N4 was not closed and there was no sign of traffic police or anyone else monitoring the situation. I think I did hear of one of the other roads in the area being closed due to fog - near Oogies or somewhere, but not the N4.

I doubt there will be fog in August, but if there is, just drive carefully and slowly and you will still get to your destination.

Depending on when you leave.If it is during weekdays rather leave early(to miss traffic) drive slow and maybe stop and have a long breakfast until the mist has cleared. Or drive later to avoid the mist and traffic!We phoned the municipality of witbank and they gave us a green light.So maybe phone them the morning of departure and ask how is it and if they expect mist!

Hi Guys

I am making my pilgrimage to Kruger in September!

we will be staying at Tamboti for the first few days.

What would be the best route to take from the East Rand) to Orpen Gate. We were thinking of maybe passing Through Hazyview??

many Thanks

P.S. Any trip suggestions...

Hi Tyrone,
very warm welcome to the forum.

If you have a read Here sure you will be able to pick up a few good ideas.

Have a look at This map for details on the distances closer to the park.

Enjoy your trip!

Hi Tyrone - I see you have been given links to look at but just to add my little bit : We live on the East Rand and our preferred route to Orpen Gate is via the N12 - turn off to Belfast and go via Dullstroom and Lydenburg - Ohrigstad - through the tunnel at the Abel Erasmus Pass and then turn off towards Hoedspruit and approach Orpen Gate. It's a much nicer journey then through Hazeyview and ends up being quicker too. Enjoy your upcoming trip!! We are looking forward to ours which starts 8 Aug especially as we are going Punda Maria and Shingwedzi for the very first time.

Hi everyone - just a note on going through Belfast, Dullstroom, Lydenburg - this time of year... there is always and I mean ALWAYS mist during the night and early morning on this road - be careful...

We also like to get to Kruger by the time the gates open but these days we rather leave Pta the afternoon before and sleep over in Lydenburg or Sabie - that way you're still fresh for game spotting the first day.

I agree, Pietie. We have run into mog/mist several times on the Belfast-Dullstroom-Lydenburg road and, if you don't know the road very well, it can be rather dangerous. Also pot holes on that road. But it is still the best way to get through to Klaserie and then to Orpen.

In mid-June we also had fog/thick mist on the N4 from just outside Pretoria to past the Ultra-City (over 100 km). People came speeding past, thinking that having hazard lights on makes one invincible!!

For what it's worth, there is always bad mist around this time of year. Even going via Machadodorp. Generally speaking leaving the highveld and going down the escarpment into the lowveld is going to be misty round about now.

There is also the Magoebaskloof route to the park if going via Phalaborwa gate to Letaba. Certainly a very beautiful part of the world and well worth seeing.

I guess living here, I have got spoilt so going via Lydenburg and the panorama route is kind of old hat for me.

I usually leave home at 1 in the AM, go down to Nelspruit, then White River and then to Numbe Gate. Get there at gate opening time and spend the day in the park, even if it means going up as far as Letaba.

On the way home, I usually spend some time going over the Panorama route as DQ says, ease back into reality so it's not too much of a shock to the system.

As of June this year that road has been repaired and is now again in a good condition. The construction has been completed.

If you leave Orpen at 7 am you should be more than safe. Hoedspruit to Pretoria is 5 hours. Add another hour for Johannesburg and half an hour for Orpen to Hoedspruit. This includes at least one quick pitstop.

That allows 4 hours plus as a safety margin.

There are a Spar and Pick 'n Pay Supermarket at Hazyview for shopping. Then you can enter at either Kruger Gate or if you have a bit more time, for a longer drive inside the KNP itself, Phabeni gate.