SANParks.org Forums

Greetings fellow Mites.

Has anyone travelled via R81 to Punda recently?
What are the roads like after the floods in January.

I will be towing a caravan. Is this a good road to use for towing?

thanks for your assistance

Hello lucky travellers,
I will be visiting the Kruger park next September, can't wait.
We will be landing and Jo'burg and drive to go to Berg-en-Dal.
We land at 10 am so raching Berg-en-Dal before 6:30 should not be an issue.
Could you please indicate a Pick and Pay or other food shop close to Malelane?

What road would you recommend from Sabi Sands to Punda Maria? I am thinking driving outside the park, how are the road conditions? How long would it take?

Thanks a lot for you help
Can't wait to be back
Edie88

Berg-en Dal 9-9-13
Talamati 10-9-13
Punda Maria 12-9-13
Mopanie 13-9-13
Satara 14-9-13
Lower Sabie 15-9-13

Hi there

We are starting our trip in Punda Maria. We plan to travel the N1 to Polokwane. After that we are not sure of the best route.

Options seem to be

R81 via Giyani then R524
N1 to Louis Trichardt then R524
N1 towards Musina then R525 and enter @ Pafuri (have been told this is a great drive, just worried about extra time)

We would appreciate any info on road conditions and recommended routes.

Thanks
Janine

I have done al three.

I suggest Giyani. Good road, not lots of traffic.

Nothing wrong with the other two roads though. But both are going to take you more time.

Travelling through Thohoyandou (the Louis Trichardt route) is time consuming with lots of slow traffic.

Going via Pafuri is a great drive, but as you mentioned it takes a lot of time. And that puts you under time pressure, not allowing you to enjoy the drive down from Pafuri as you should. Rather take a day and drive up from Punda to Pafuri.

I have also done all three and absolutely agree with Imberbe's assessments.

Thanks Imberbe & OWN. We will travel via Giyani.

Hi Edie88.

There is a massive Spar in Malelane which can cater for pretty much all your needs. It has many accesory shops in the mall, and obviously petrol and a little cafe for food.

The road from Sabi Sand's north would likely be the R40 up to Phalaborwa. I travelled this road in July 2012 and it wasn't the most pleasant of events, however if it is what you need to do, it should suffice. I personally would much rather travel through the park. BnD to Talamati is quite a comfortable drive in the park ,easily do-able in half a day with stops and game viewing.

Hi forumites

I am going to Kruger on 2 July and plan to enter at the Orpen gate. Which is the best route to this gate from Johannesburg?

Thanks so much.

ww29

Hi,

We always take the N12 to Boksburg from OR Tambo airport, then onto the N4. After Witbank we turn off the N4 at the Belfast junction and on to the R540 to pass through Dullstroom (nice place to stop for lunch), Lydenburg, Ohrigstad and round the top of Blyde River Canyon before dropping down into the lowveld after Abel Erasmus pass, driving past Swadini and heading for Orpen Gate.

I think it takes around 6 ½ hours.

It may not be the quickest route, but after the Erasmus pass, it feels like entering another world with the game reserves and fruit farms it feels like Kruger is near.

Good morning HC

What is the situation with regard to potholes on that route at the moment? Last year we had really bad craters on the stretch before and on the first part of the Abel Erasmus pass. It was pretty dangerous with cars swerving to miss these craters some of which were on blind corners.

We love this route though and would like to use again on our next visit.