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Yesterday, on returning from a timeshare weekend, we decided to return home via the R511.
Words desert me in trying to describe the condition of this road - it is an absolute disaster! Anyone planning on visiting Marakele - PLEASE take note.
In some places the tar surface is non-existing. One such place is just north of the Atlanta Resort's turn-off. There is a new chicken farm on your left if drving towards Thabazimbi - just past this. Extremely dangerous!! Lots of the potholes look like craters - if you should struck one of these the consequences would be dire. In some places there are so many it is virtually impossible to miss them. The road was relatively quiet yesterday - a busy road will really be a problem.
We passed what looked like some of the locals trying to fill potholes with soil!
Do not even think of driving this road in the dark. And if you are towing a caravan - go via Warmbaths.
We joined the R511 via the R516. What the road looks like towards Thabazimbi I cannot comment on. Repairs were done on the R516 - when we went to Marakele during last year there also were a lot of potholes, but the road condition is much better now.

Thanks so much for this information naomi!!

We will visit Marakele in few days and your info is very important for us. Its our first visit to Marakele so we have now idea about the conditions of the roads.

If you have any other helpful infos for me please send me a pm!!

THANKS!

Karin

Yip! Avoid that road!

Take the N1 to Bella bella (Warmbaths).

Driving through Bella bella, take the Thabazimbi / Koedoeskop road, leading past places such as Mabalingwe.

At the T-junction at Koedoeskop, turn right towards Thabazimbi.

This road is in an excellent condition.

Travelled this way at the end of December. The road from Bela Bela up to the T-junction is very good. Once you've turned here towards Thabazimbi, it is not so good though. Plenty of big potholes so you still need to drive with extra care.

Thank you all so much for your help and tips!!!!

I am really looking forward to Marakele - I have never been there before!

Of course I will write a TR about our stay there!!

Have a wonderful day!

Karin

We travelled to Marakele in late October and found the R511 to be potholed in places, and that was before the rains in Dec/Jan. We came back on the R510 past Northam and turned on to the Joburg/Sun City road. At that time the R510 was in good condition and we found it to be a good alternative to the R511.

Depends which side of Joburg you are travelling from.