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Yip found it: Kruger Rules & Regulations

Caravans are only prohibited on CERTAIN roads - like Steilberg, and other roads with narrow low-water bridges... also only vehicles in excess of 4 000kg's are restricted to tar roads...

So dirt roads in general are NOT closed for caravans and the S25 certainly post no obstacles for a caravan if the surface is dry.

Hello,

I'm my first time in KNP middle of november. Our first night is in Berg-en-Dal and from there we want to go to Lower Sabie. What is the best way to get there? Hope to see a lot of game during the way

Regards

OPSler

I am an advocate of gravel roads , so here is my recommendation , it will take some time , but if you leave soon after camp gate opening you can do it in about 6 hours of slow driving , bearing in mind that you may occupy your accomodation at 2:30 pm .

1) take the S110 Matjulu loop
2) turn onto the S120 and cross the mountain (called Steilberg)
3) join the H3 tar road travelling towards Skukuza for 2.4 km -
or travel to Afsaal picnic spot for a break and continue till the S113 which connects with the S23 as in (6) and do the loop in the other direction .
4) turn right onto the S118 Mlambane loop
5) turn left onto the S114 for about 14 km
6) turn left onto the S23 Biyamiti loop
7) rejoin the S114 up till before Renosterkoppies and join the S21 N'watimhiri road till the H4-1 junction and turn right to Lower Sabie .

You may not see many vehicles to indicate special sightings , but then that is called pirate viewing in my books ...
Is it not better , a more pure experience , to find your own sightings in relative peace ?

Hi. I never been to Africa. As you see, we are really first timers here. We booked in Olifants and then in Bateleur. I'm not sure if i messed up because i really wanted to see the "Big Five". Can some please give directions,recommendations,advice whatever you can to get from Olifants to Bateleur? We would be travelling in December, i dont know exactly the distance between both or drive time.

Please, if anyone can enlight, I'm all ears
Thank You

From Olifants take the tar road north towards Letaba. Look upwards as you go past the koppies on your right, you may spot some klipspringer, lovely little antelope. Past Letaba camp the road runs along the river and there are lots of places to get good views. Look over on the far side as well, its amazing what you can spot. There's a little road to the right that follows the river.

Next stop on the bridge, its a great spot to get out (stay between the yellow lines for safety) and look for elephants and buffalo. I love the Tsendze Loop (S48) and have had some good sightings there. Bateleur camp is a wonderful place, so quiet, full of birds. The Red Rocks loop has produced some good sightings for other forumites, but not for me. However I loved the causeway over the river at the top end, birdwise there was usually something going on. And of course you have not one but two private dams, accessible only to those staying at the camp.

Shingwedzi is a lovely camp to visit and the road down to the Kanniedood Hide and beyond to the dam to a fantastic drive. I'm not sure when in December you are going but when we were there 2 years ago the Shingwedzi River started flowing and the views of crocodiles fishing by the causeway by the East exit was fantastic.

Last Oct we had fine views of 4 lionesses by the Joao waterhole so keep a lookout there abouts. We've seen cheetah near Bablalala picnic site, and also near Punda Maria camp, so the predators do go north. There are also a few hyena densin the vicinity of Shingwedzi.

But also stop to look at the little things. The birds are so much more exotic than anything we have in Europe, so they are worth stopping for. When you do stop have a look around around especially under trees and bushes. If you do see a traffic jam its worth stopping to see if you can see anything, if things get chaotic or bad tempered you can always drive off.

Hope you have a great time.

Hi again mvtm.

I cannot comment on the garmin, but can I tell you that a Toyota will be fine. I have done the Park in my daughter's little Clio with no problem.

I would advise you to leave Benoni as early as possible and travel on the N4 until the turning to Belfast. Take the Belfast turning and drive Dullstroom, Lydenburg, Origstad, Hans Strydom Tunnel, Blyde River to the Orpen gate. Be careful once you hit Blyde River that you don't miss the turn off to Orpen.

Orpen to Olifants is about 105 kms. This translates into 4 hours of driving.

I am recommending the Orpen gate as it gives you more exposure to the central Park and predator area. You will be experiencing more of the northern Park later. The Orpen/Olifants area is a favourite of mine.

When you talk of the Lion Park, do you mean the one close to Fourways, Johannesburg?

Hi guys, em i am bit of a hurry.
How many hour and kilometers are between. Olifants-Bateleur.
Bateleur-Benoni. I' m not quite certain with the amount. Hmm thanks.

Olifants-Bataleur, depending on route taken, is, give or take a few kilometres, 125km. If you average 25 km/h, then this will take 5 hours; averaging 30km/h will take 4 hours.

Around 500km from Benoni-Phalaborwa, then another 122 km to Bataleur, giving a total of around 620km. Averaging 100km/h to Phalaborwa gate would mean 5 hours, and around 4-5 hours in the Park. Therefore, total travelling distance should be 9-10 hours.

Hi,

Could anybody please tell me how far Sirheni is from Shimuwini and if there are any nice 4x4 trails up there?

Thanks,

Samantha

Hi Samantha.

You are really inquiring about one of the best parts of KNP.

The distance is 123 km.

The Northern Plains Trail is in the area east of the H1-8 towards the Lebombo Mountains and may be booked from the Punda Maria Rest Camp.

Oh how I envy you.

Enjoy it.

Hi there,
has anyone ever travelled between croc bridge and shingwedzi? If so, was it possible in one day, or is it advisable to rather do the trip over two days? I will be towing a caravan.

any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Crocodile Bridge to Shingwedzi is 304 kilometers so driving at 40-50 kph, it will take a minimum of 7-8 hours of steady driving to reach your destination.
I suppose you could make it but what's the point.
There's no joy in driving that long distance, the joy is in slowing down and observing the wildlife along the way. I'm doing that section in reverse stopping at three other camps.
Enjoy your stay.

Hi Roland,
We have done it before from Shingwedzi to Lower Sabie and it took us the whole day ( no fun at all )
rather stop over at Satara.
You have to stop for toilets and something to eat and that takes sometime.
Satara camp is very popular.

Hi everybody,
thanks for the warm welcome and the timeous replies. we will stay at satara

regards,
Roland

Welcome to the forum Roland.

We do 200km maximum in a day, leaving as the gates open and this gives us enough time for stops at camps for a bite to eat and leg stretch.