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Hey there all of you - since there has been quite a bit of advice on the best route to Phalaborwa Gate, I need to check the following:
If I am running a tight timeline (but without irresponsible driving) and I need to get from Pretoria to Shingwedzi, would it be best via Phalaborwa Gate or via Punda Maria, considering the Phalaborwa option includes around 125 km in Kruger vs the Punda option that is only around 70 km. How much time should I allow for the trip

I would suggest you enter at Phalaborwa . It gives you much more time within the park .

Thanks Okie. For once in my life I can't use the option that will give me the most time possible in the park. I need to take the one that will get me to Shigwedzi against a tight timeline, hence my asking if it would perhaps be better to drive via Punda as opposed to Phalaborwa.
Etienne

viewtopic.php?f=67&t=59358&start=15

Having done the different routes, via, Lydenburg, Polokwane through Magoebas, Georges Vally, and also Modjadjis kloof between Friday and last night. They are all totally bad. Stop starts, potholes, lost a wheel on a pothole between Lydenburg and Dullstroom as big as a volcanic crater.

Right now I will take the highway to Malelane, and stay one extra day in Kruger going up to the north.

I agree with the post of PNF in the link wiltuinman suggested, this would be a better road to travel. BUT I would rather sit with the stop-n-go between Polokwane and Tzaneen and enter at Phalaborwa (my 2nd favourite gate). Pretoria-Polokwane 2 and a half hours, Polokwane-Tzaneen +- 2 hours, Tzaneen-Phalaborwa 1 hour. Polokwane-Punda (PNF route) +- 2 hours. Or follow Scipio's advice and stay an extra day (it couldnt hurt)

Hope this helps

We will ne going to shingwedzi and punda end of april!! What the best way to go if we are coming from Witbank??
Should we enter say at orpen gate and travel in the park or travel to phalborwa gate directly??

Hi ils,

I would enter at orpen, it is a long drive though, 226km. But if you enter the park early it can be easily done.
You must also regularly phone to hear whether there has been any cancelations (which usually happens) I suggest Satara.

Enjoy...

This just my humble opinion, but even with the roadworks, I still think that N1, R71 is the easiest drive to Phala Gate from Joburg/Pretoria.......far less "faffing" than other routes, and the scenery is stunning!!

I traveled the road last week...

There are still a road works taking place. But depending on what day and time of day you travel your added time may be zero to 30 minutes. There is one stop and go just outside tzaneen going to Letsitele, and then there is a stop just past moria church that goes almost to hearnetsburg. The last mentioned one can get a bit hectic at times, but like I said, depending on what day of the week and what time of day you will drive past there, your waiting time can be either a while (20mins) or zero.

The road is in good state so its still a pleasant drive!

the Giyani road has two short areas of roadworks at present. The distances of them are too short to really make a difference to your travel time so its just the max 15 min wait at each that could delay you by 30 mins.

The last time I went through we waited 10 min at the first and did not need to stop a the second. The rest of that road is in good condition

Road was fine -3 stop and goes between Polokwane and Tzaneen but not more than 10 min waits

Hi to all..
In the end of this month I arrive to South Africa to spend nearly 3weeks in Kruger NP. I need to get there from Jo´burg by rented car. First stay in park is booked in Letaba campsite, but could be changed to Punda too, because I will go from the north to south after that. I am still thinking about route - whether to go:
a) to Phalaborwa along N1 to Polokwane and R71 through Tzaneen.. How long time does it take? No, works in progress on roads now?

b)to Punda along N1 to Makhado and R524 through Thohoyandou.. Again: How long time does it take? No, works in progress there? Maybe would be good to stay for a night in Makhado and to get to Punda next day after midday.

I think about to visit Voortrekker Monument or some british-boer wars fort (Swanskop or Klapperkop)near Pretoria on our way in the morning. It would cause some delay..

Will you give me any advice or suggestion according to your experience and knowledges? Thanks

Wilddog-prg - I would go to Punda first - in fact that is what we did in April , and will be again in October

I think this post from Imax answers your question .

Just to give an update on the road from Phalaborwa to Pietersburg which I did on Saturday.
From Phalaborwa to Gravelotte the road is in good condition with a few minor potholes.
From Gravelotte to Tzaneen is an excellent newly tarred road, with a short "stop and go" just before Tzaneen.
We then travelled up Magoesbaskloof Pass and just after the hotel there is a very long "stop and go" up to the Haernatsburg turn-off. Further on there is only one "stop and go", and the bottom part of the pass to Moria is now finished and a good road to drive on.
Maybe someone can advise on the Georges Valley road to be used instead of Magoebaskloof road.