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Going to be a very long drive and day Magriet!
But as long as you are through the bottom border gate before it closes which I think is around 6pm but I am not 100% sure of that as we usually travel through well inside that time.
Maybe someone will be able to confirm the gate times.
My only other suggestion is to stay another night lower down in the park either by adding a night on or moving your last night at Satara.

Gosh...Satara to Durban...............as Elsa says, that's a very long way, considering your max speed from Satara to Croc Bridge is 50kph!!!

It depends if you can spare an extra night.?

If so, maybe book a night at Croc Bridge, or maybe somewhere like Hlane Reserve in Swazi.

Managa border post closes at 18.00 and Jeppes Reef 20.00.
I believe the Golela/Lavumisa Border Post is open until 22.00 (but please double check that) so you should clear that easily enough, but still a long drive back to Durban after that, and with greatest respect to the people of Swaziland, I'm not sure how comfortable I would be driving through some parts of the country in the dark!!

All the best with whatever you decide.

I have just done part of this journey (Lower Sabie to St Lucia, via Mananga and Golela/Lavumisa) and I have to warn you about the potholes near Siteki in Swaziland. The road was so bumpy I thought we would have a puncture in our VW Polo. The bumpy section lasts for about 30kms and we drove it at 30kms an hour!! In a 4x4 or even a Bakkie you should be able to go faster.

Whatever you do, don't speed - we were stopped twice by police and had licenses checked. They were very friendly and kept stressing that we mustn't speed. There are occasions when the speed limit drops to 80km/ph or even 60 - seemingly for no reason!

We did Satara to Durban through Swaziland with ease and were home by 5 o'clock. We left when gates opened which was early as it was February and only stopped for really special sightings of rhino, buffalo and lion - a quick toasted sarmie from the Wimpy at Komatiepoort and it was surprisingly a long but very doable drive. We were only in Satara for 3 nights so it was a lot of travelling but it can be done. We stuck to our speed limit in the Park and did not stint ourselves in the time spent on sightings and remember that most of Swaziland is now 120 kms whereas years ago the average speed limit in Swaziland on main roads was 80. We sailed through borders and had all our ducks in a row with our paperwork so provided you do the same then you should be fine. Enjoy!

We will be doing the same trip on the 15 Oct but in reverse. Durban to Satara and will let you know how much time you will need.
Leaving Durban 4am as border post opens at 7am and then should be at Satara at plus minus 4pm. Long drive but well worth it.

Our South African friends told us not to going through Swaziland because it could take ages.....

I will have to take a closer look at the route..... may you travel through Swaziland with a rental car without extra paperwork?

You need a letter of permission from rental agency (free from Avis). If you reach the border at 10am on a Saturday then yes it will be busy but if you get there by 8am (even on a Saturday as we did) it will be fine.

Apparently going round requires one to take roads that are currently under maintenance. We raced another couple to St Lucia from Croc bridge. They went round Swaziland (as they didn't have the permission letter), we went through. We both left Kruger at 6.30am and we arrived at 2pm having had a couple of breaks. They arrived at 4pm having got caught in the congestion round Piet Retief. We saw them at the Ocean Basket that night!

We always travel that way and have never encountered more than a half hour delay at the borders but I must add have never done it in peak season or over long weekends.
Please do have a read Here before making any further decisions or send me a PM.

Hello all, I was wondering what the best route to Croc Bridge is ? We are leaving from Durban and planning to go via Swaziland through to Croc Bridge out at Kruger gate as we are staying at Burchels for the week 22nd to 29th March donated timeshare. I have pre booked gate entry for those days, any advice to make the most of our trip very welcome. Thanks

Hi Blast,

Have a look here for other comments on routes from Durban.

Enjoy your visit!!!.....

I am sure Elsa will tell you the best route She has worn a path from KZN to Kruger !!!!
Just want to warn you as you are travelling through the park as a day visitor you are not allowed to take any alcohol with you ... They will confiscate it at the gate !!!

Thanks for that, our plan was to do our shopping in Komati and drive through from Croc bridge to Kruger gate, and settle at Burchels for the week, so is it better to stock up Kruger gate side and where ? would hate to get all supplies for the week and it gets taken at the gate ?

Blast do have a look Route through Swaziland
No problem at all taking foodstuff through from Komatipoort to Kruger Gate.
What we did this year was take a drive through to Hazyview the next day and buy all our provisions but then we had stayed in the park prior to this, so did have some basics for the first night.

Thanks Elsa, see you just up the road from us ?

That's right, a bit closer to the park too!
If you need any further advice re Swazi maps, please do PM me your e-mail address and I can send you some.