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Hello, I've already told we're goiing to visit KNP in July. We will stay at Orpen, Olifants, Shingwedzi and Punda Maria.As we stay in Sabie town we want to make a day trip or two to the south of KNP. How many km you can drive in a day time and still have enough time to observe the annimals? I need this to plan some routes we can take.

greetings,
Piet-Hein

Hi Piet-Hein. Allow about 25-30km/hour driving speed without time taken for stops for picnics and parked at waterholes etc. I have done up to 200km in the Park in a day, and it has been fine. But I would say doing 100km a day is comfortable and recommend that.

I agree with DB, about 100kms is enough with stops.
If you enter at Kruger gate you could do Skukuza, with a stop at Lake Panic, then drive to Lower Sabie and back, a nice drive along the river.
Have a great trip!

This is a very important question for everyone.

One of the most difficult things to come to terms with is the relative distance of travel in the Parks.

time changes

on the freeway, I can easily do 120km +++

in the Park, 25km/hr rules..

Remember it also makes a huge difference if you come in January or August. January you will have several more hours to play with!

Richard

We are going in July. I will plan a route about 100km. The route from skukuza to lower sabie is an idea.

We usually stick to about 160 Km maximum as this still gives you ample enough stoppage time , but then we do spend the entire day in the car . Usually we do alot less though, 100km is probably the best .

The distance you can travel will depend mainly on your sightings and how long yoou take at each sighting. The limit of 100km suggested is a good one, but if you are not seeing a lot, then take another road and go a little furhter, always remembering the gate closing times. We often get back to camp with an hour or so to spare. Then we will travel out for half the available time and then back again, with no destination it mind, just the time factor. (known in my family as "a there and back to see how far it is trip!)

I also agree 100km - 130km is nice drive amd you can also cover alot of ground1

200km, but we leave when the gates open and return when they close. There is time to enjoy sightings, but we don't dally hoping the lions will wake up (which they most usually don't). We see about 90 sightings of game except impala during that time on a good day, and stop briefly at picnic sites, look out points and for lunch.

maybe a stupid qeustion but are there road signs in KNP with gate names and distance?

Not a stupid questions at all Piet-Hein. At each intersection on the roads, there are signs with distances and directions to the camps. The maps one can buy in the Park are also very good and well marked with distances between points.

Tts almost impossible to get lost in Kruger. Every road junction is well signposted and as DB said, the maps are excellent. Having said that, keep checking because often both roads lead to the same camp/ gate so you must check the time and distance and and take the appropriate route

I already have a roadmap of KNP. So I've been busy to make plans wich (appropriate) routes i can take.

I'd say it depends on sightings and the time allowed at waterholes/hides. But 100-150 km is indeed a good suggestion. In the south, generally add some extra time..