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@Gryskat - many thanks.

Next time I'll do a nice leisurely route, but I need to be in Maun by mid morning the next day, so will go for the fastest one this time.

Could you possibly just confirm I've got this right. My TomTom and Google Maps both deny the existence of any new road along the border.

Cross border at Bokspits - abou 60km from TR. Then it's the B211 (that's the new road, yes?).

Just out of interest, how is the road through Mabua?

Again - many thanks.

jenand,

You are very ambitious to travel from KTP to Maun in less than 1,5 days. The distance via Sekomo is about 1300 km, but you can only cross border after 8 am and traveling after 6 pm is not safe. This means you can reach Ghanzi early evening around 20:00. The next shift from Ganzi to Maun can take ~ 4 or more hours and if if you leave early you can get to Maun by noon.

It is possible to do it but you might run out of time.

The route via Namibia also opens at 8 am and from Mata-Mata via Windhoek to Gobabis (780 km) will take you about 10 hours. That means you will not be able to reach the border post on time to enter Botswana on the first day.The distance from the Gobabis to Maun is ~ 610 km with an estimated time of 7-8 hours. Border post only open at 8 am and from there it will take you ~6 hours with an estimate arrival of 15:00. You need to take into account that the border crossing can take 1 hour and road block at veterinary fences.

The other option is via Mabua but as I understand its not tar all the way and although 200 km shorter and might take you longer to reach Ghanzi.

If I am in your position i will rather cancel 1 day in KTP and travel safely to Maun over two days via Botswana following the new tar road from Bokspits.

Hi,

Left Cape Town at 04:45 this morning and drove up to Oranjerus on Kanoneiland in 9 and a quarter hours via Springbok. 2 short (5 mins max) stops for roadworks between Calvinia and Clan William and 5 between Springbok and Kakamas. All were less than 5 minutes delay although the bridge at Kakamas could potentially be the longest (the sign says delays up to 30 minutes). Lovely drive with very little traffic.

Myles

Glad you had a good drive.............

Might see you this coming weekend in the park........

Thanks for the tip Myles

Hope you and junior have an extra special experience

Will be looking out for your posts

GlynB

Stop and go's
An excuse for me to do it slowly and try to squeeze in extra night(s) going via Karoo NP, Mokala,
And we always stay one night in Augrabies before going back to the Cape again, because you know there might be too many stop and go's

Hi everyone

I will be travelling to KTP in early October and wanted to know if anyone could comment on the condition of the gravel road between Kuruman and TR via Hotazel?

Thanks
Iain

You can have a look here.
I don't think much has changed, spoke to a guy two weeks ago and he told me the road was in a bad state.

Hi IainP. we travelled that road 2 weeks ago. Up to 30km just before Vanzylsrust the road is tarred. From Vanzylsrust the gravel road is very bad at places. Deflate your tyres at Vanzylsrust to make the drive more comfortable. Take the drive at a leasurely speed then it is also doable. I would not recommend towing a trailer on that road, or traveling that way in a sedan vehicle.

@son godin
Many thanks for your advice. Have come back down to TR note, so was able to log in and see your reply.

Thanks Picnic & PetraJ will take it slow!

I've just returned from Twee Rivieren and opted to not take that road after speaking to a few people in the know.

If you're going through Van Zylsrus be careful of the 2 massive potholes around 4 km's before the end of the tar road. Also be very vigilant if you fill up your tank in Van Zylsrus, their petrol pump recorded 48 litres of fuel into my tank which is as much as it holds and I had 1/2 a tank before I filled up. Make sure they zero the pump or you'll be caught like me.

Thanks Nick will do. Leaving Friday

Travelled this way two weeks ago - saved us about 1 1/2 hours tarvelling time. Its a scenic route that is very doable - compared to roads within the park this is much better......more thick lose sand on this route.

Agree, did it Friday. Much nicer than via Upington, saw several Suricate en-route!

Regards from Namibia, Michael