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Hello all,
Can anyone offer any advise on the Leeuwdril 4 x 4 Trail.
The Kgalagadi Official Information Guide Book states that it is an exhilirating dune driving experience. Do you know what the cost of this 13.2km route is and what is your opinion of this trail.
Look forward to your replies

Hi Dreamer,

We did it in a 5 vehicle convoy, which was not the best way to do it. There are about 3 slightly challenging sandy rises, but after a practise runup, your mother in law will manage them. There is a waterhole on route. Our party saw a few snakes, springbok, oryx and right at the end, we met another of our party at the Houmoed rise watching an AWC, which waited for us all to see, then it jumped a mouse!

It cost us R100, and we saw no rock monitors!

Thanks for the info BB Is it something you would do again or would you rather take more time viewing along the Nosssob.
BTW.. Not to sure which is more scarey.. A rock monitor or my Mother in Law

I personally would probably not do it again, but as part of a group I could be persuaded. The Leeudril - KijKij road is my second favourite bit in the park.

Dreamer,
Hope you are well
The Leeudril 4x4 is a very relaxing drive and the dunes you will encounter is not that bad, just make sure the vehicle is in 4x4 and that you have some momentum to take you over. The waterhole on the road can be very productive, have had some very nice lion sightings there.
Enjoy

With the road closed from Samevloeing during January: Will Leeuwdril 4x4 still be an option?
Also, do one need to get you passport stamped or something when you want to venture a bit into Botswana north of Nossob? (will still enter and exit via TweeRivieren).

Bekke,
Depends what you mean by 'venture a bit'.
No need for you to go through customs if you do not intend to exit at another gate, such as Mabuasehube or Kaa. That is what the transfrontier park concept is all about.
If you want to go into some of the tracks:
The public roads (which are single vehicle tracks) allows for traffic in both directions and you have to be extremely careful when you go over a dune as the blind crest hides oncoming traffic.
The eco trails are one-way routes and must be booked with Botswana DWNP.
There are not much to see on these routes regarding animals as they normally stick closed to the pans and waterholes, which are basically at the end of the trails.

Lastly. If you want to go all the way to Kaa, medical emergency help is closer on the Botswana side than having to drive to the SA side. In that case, rather go to customs at TR and get the documents processed.

I am not too sure what will happen to the Leeudril 4 x 4 trail but I should think you probably will not be able to do it. The entrance to this trail is past Samevloeing so if the road is closed from Samevloeeing onwards one will not be able to get to the start of the trail. It is a one way trail starting from Leeudril waterhole and ending at Houmoed

Can anybody tell me more about the 4X4 trails in KTP? Unfortunately I found out too late about the Nossob Eco Trail . Only after I booked my stay in Nossob, Urikaruus and Polentswa did I learn about the eco trail. Too late because of either departure or finish days of the trail. It just will not fit in. Now I am thinking of doing the Leeuwdril trail.
a) Is it rough a 4X4 driving?
b) Is it guided tour?
c) Do I have to book in advance?
Any more info is welcome.
Thanks

Hi RJ!

Leeudril Trail Info:
1)It takes about 1,5 hours to do(Nossob riverbed to Auob riverbed), not a tough trail, one or two steepish dunes to drive up and down. If it has not rained and the sand is soft, then it might be harder to do.
2)You drive it yourself, and you do not need another vehicle with you.
3) We did not need to book in advance. We told TR reception that we wanted to do it, paid and went on the trail the same afternoon.

Just check whether you can still do this trail as the Samevloeiing -Kji-Kji road is still closed, or are you going to be in the park after December 2010, when this road is supposed to open again.

Hi Robert check out my signature and scroll down, there under "activities" is some info

Hi Bob,

Also done the Leeudril trail. Wandrew has just about covered it.

None of the trails are there to test vehicles, but to give an experience that needs a more capable vehicle. Some trails in some parks have daily quotas so booking in Kruger for instance, is advised.

We are off to Kgalagadi in a few days . I however have the following question:

We arrive in Twee Rivieren on a Sunday. Monday morning we depart for Rooiputs, where we are booked for 2 days. My plan is to book for Leeuwdril on arrival (Sunday) or Monday before we leave for Rooiputs but only do the loop on Wednesday morning when we leave Rooiputs for Namibia via Mata Mata. Is this possible or do you need to (a) do the route on the day you book it and (b) report back to Twee Rivieren after doing the Leeuwdril 4x4 loop?

Thanks.

Hi W

Well, well, well, looks like we'll meet at Rooiputs! We are also entering the park on Sunday (Sept 25, 2011) and we'll be staying for 3 days at Rooiputs and then we are off to Polentswa for 3 days.

Previously I paid for the Leeudril 4x4 the morning we did the route but I didn't report back to TR as I was booked for Kieliekrankie that night. I just informed TR that we were heading for Kieliekrankie after we've paid for the 4x4 trip. We just reported to Kieliekrankie just before closing time and we didn't experience any problems what so ever.

See you in the park.

Hi WillemK, thanks for the reply! Unfortunately we won't be @ Rooiputs on the same dates - we only arrive the following week. Enjoy your stay in KTP and leave some of the good sightings for us as well !