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The non-Swaziland route is quite a bit longer?
You will have to travel via Ermelo and eMalahleni (lets use the new name. ) If I look at the map (http://static.routes.tomtom.com) is see quite a few accidents and roadworks around that route.

Hi Josey
We travel from Port Edward to Croc Bridge each year. and always used to go via Swazi.
For various reasons we have changed our route the last few years and go via Ermelo.
Being retired, and having plenty of time we actually stop overnight in Ermelo (we have found a lovely inexpensive but comfortable B & B)
It is the long way round, but we like it.
The last time we travelled (Nov 2011) almost all the roadworks were finished, and the road is looking good.
We are not locals so Saffies will probably give you a better route, but this is what we do.
N2, N3, N11 (stay over in Ermelo) N17 to Chrissemeer (can't spell it!!) turn left as soon as you get to the town (that avoids the R33) it looks a minor road on the map, but is actually in very good condition!!
Then R38 via Badplaas and Barberton to Kaapmuiden and the N4. Turn right onto the N4 and through the toll (48 rand last time we were there) then it's plain saling to Komatipoort and Croc Bridge (or malane if you can't wait!!)
Hope this helps.

Hi Josey
Before we started going via Swaziland we used the Zuluiand route as follows.
N-2 north
Turn left onto the R66 past Ginginlovu, Eshowe and Malmoth
Then carry on to Vryheid on the R34
At Vryheid we normaly stop and have breakfast and fill the tank.
THen take the R33 past Paulpietersburg ,Piet Retief ,Amsterdam untill you come to the N17
Turn right untill Lochiel
Turn left onto the R541 to Badplaas.
Turn right onto the R38 towards Barberton,staying on the R38 and head for Kaapmuiden.
Turn right on N4 to Malelane or Crockodile Bridge.
I find this the most senic route to Kruger from Durban
Just a word of caution the Melmoth area gets dense fog and being single lane winding road be carefull, keep an eye out for the heavy trucks.
Its is a while since i have driven this route so im unsure of the road condition.

Yes that road takes you to the outskirts of Carolina. You join the R33 for about a km, then pick up the R38, and turn right towards Badplaas.

There were some roadworks between Carolina and Badplaas, but it didn't seem to put much extra onto the journey, as far as I can remember................mind you that was November, it may not be so good now, or may be better.

I would say however I would not like to do that journey from South Coast to Croc Bridge all in one go, which is why we stop over in Ermelo, though I don't know your circumstances, time may be very precious, and you may not want to stop.
Us Brits aren't used to long distances like the Saffies, so we do things in stages!!

Any more info required, just ask.

Hope you have an awesome trip!

Shikaari, when we entered Kruger for our stay at Satara, we entered at Kruger gate and took a drive up thorugh the Park.
Depending where in the Park you are staying and what time you leave Jhbg, that or one of the other southern gates such as Phabeni could be an alternative to the bad roads outside. (check with Sanparks first though as they have issued warnings that there have been service delivery protests outside the park on the roads leading to certain gates)

I did read somewhere on the forum (however I cannot find the post now) that one of the mites travels up the R40, i.e. via Nelspruit, White River, through Bushbuckridge and onto Orpen. He/she mentioned that although the speed limit is slower i.e. 60 - 80 in places, the road is better. I cannot speak from experience though.

Best of luck with your trip

If you are leaving Jhbg at 09H30 then personaly I would enter via Orpen as you would more than likely only get to one of the southern gates from about 14H30 onwards. Skukuza to Satara alone you will require about 3-4 hours travelling time (plus time from whatever gate to Skukuza) and camp gates close at 17H30

As to which route to take to Orpen, would be up to you:

N4 to Belfast, then left towards Dullstroom, Lydenberg etc (it has potholes on it but its not as bad as the R36)
or
N4 to Bambi (N4 split after Machadodorp) and take the R36 to Lydenburg (which is a terrible stretch to say the least)
or
N4 to Nelspruit, R40 upwards via White River, Bushbuckridge to Orpen (which is a little slower and where you might encounter protests, you will need to enquire on this, either with Sanparks or provincial traffic). There are two stop-go's after White River but we were only stopped for about 20 minutes for both.

Lydenberg to Ohrigstad is fair with a few potholes but not too bad. From Abel Erasmus pass onwards the road is good.

The trip to Orpen via either way, count on maximum 6-7 hours (stops included) if there are no problems.

Orpen to Satara will require minimum 1-1/2 hours traveling time.

That is as best as I can sum it up, unless anyone else can offer alternative advice?

Hello

If you take the N12 direct from the airport via the N4 all the way highway to malelane gate it is about 400km. It should not take you more than 4 hours. It is a very good road. Just remember that the road has 3 toll gates also that is not cheap. Think it is R43, R60 and R50 +- for the three.

Then from malelane gate to croc bridge wil depends what road you use. If you take the river road the s25 it should take you another +-2 hours if you do not stop that much for sightings. The distance is about 45 km. If you go from malelane toe skukuza, lower sabie then croc bridge it would take you alot longer about +-4 hours as the distance is about 140km.

The total time of traveling inside the kruger depends on the road you choose and the amount of sightings you see.

Hope this helps.

Drove to Phalaborwa (left JHB at 13h00)on Friday afternoon. There are now 2 stop-go's in the mountains. The first one can take a bit of time (about 20min), but if you wait at the first one, you go through the second one without waiting. There is then 2 stop-go's between Tzaneen and Phalaborwa. But there is only about a 5 minute waiting period as it is not long ones.

As we went through Polokwane and arrived at the first stop-go it was about 5 oclock (heavy traffic). This (with the wait included) took us just over 6 hours driving from Johburg to Phalaborwa.

Yesterday returned from Phalaborwa again. It was in the middle of day on a Monday (in other words, no real traffic). It took us between 5 and a half to 6 hours.

Friends have just returned from KNP - towing a caravan - and using the Phalaborwa/Tzaneen/Polokwane road. They have said that the major roadworks/stop n go are between Moria and Haenertsburg. They also recommend that if towing - use the Georges Valley road and not Magoebaskloof. Road is in a good condition and if you do get stuck behind a lorry loaded with lumber - chill and enjoy the scenery! - your tow vehicle will thank you for not putting it under strain

Hi all,
I am going to Kruger in 3weeks. We were to leave Middelburg early[ 4am] to enter the park at Orpen gate. Plans have changed and will not be able to leave before about 7am. I want to know what the best route is to Palaborwa gate from Middelburg.

Any advice please.

Regards.

N4 from Middelburg to Belfast, take R540 via Dullstroom, to Lydenburg.
From Lydenburg R533, via Ohrigstad, and Abel Erasmus Pass travel towards Hoedspruit, but before you get there:
Turn right on the R531, which reads Orpen, Klaserie which will eventually bring you to Orpen Gate.
It takes us 5 hours via this route to get there from Pretoria (without breakfast stops).
My son has just come back from KNP, and he says that road is in the best condition. Other options are slow with 80km/h speed limits through villages and lots of frustrating slow moving vehicles, and domestic animals on the road.
You won't get better if you're after a scenic route.

Absolutely an excellent route, Lonehill Birders. Just remember, Anna, that Lydenburg has now changed name to Mashishing, with some of the signs reading Lydenburg, and the others Mashishing.

Hi there all you Crazy(in a good way) Krugers

We are going to Punda Maria in 3day's time and we would like to know what do you think would be the best route? My first thoughts was to go Bethal, Hendrina, Carolina, Belfast, Dullstroom, Lydenburg(Mashishing), Ohrigstad, Tunnel, Letsitele, Giyani, Xigalo, Punda but somebody told me it is not safe as it is in the trust and sometimes there is tree's rolled into the road and i don't know what else.

The other option was going nearly the same as above but from the tunnel we go towards Phalaborwa gate and then we go in the Kruger up towards Punda but I think as we already are going to drive far this is also going to take a long time. (And there is kids involved 4 and 9years old)

Then we thought of going Bethal, Middelburg, Groblersdal, Marble Hall, Roedtan, Zebediela, Pietersburg(Polokwane), Louis Trichardt(Makado), R523, Punda

I must add my husband wants to rather drive at night, which I don't think is such a good idea, maybe we should rather go in the day? Maybe a day earlier? (and sleep over at a place not too far from the gate maybe 100km radius any suggestions?)

What is your thoughts?

Hi Wildtuinmal, I would stick to driving during the day. The road between Dullstroom and Lydenburg is bad, as well as Lydenburg to Ohrigstad. I would take the 3rd option as the road to Phalaborwa has Stop/Go's all round that can really put some serious time on your trip.

Enjoy Punda, my Fave camp in the park.

An update, having just returned from 11 days in KNP, towing a caravan. We took the N4 from Pta to Nelspruit, then up to White River - Hazyview - entering at Phabeni Gate. I would recommend this route, since the Nelspruit - Hazyview road is in excellent condition. A few road repairs are under way between White River and Hazyview with 2 slight stop/go delays, but nothing to worry about. Apparently the real delays are throught Bushbuck Ridge after Hazyview, so entering at Phabeni and using the excuse to drive through the park up to Satara makes sense.

Stick to the R40 up to Hazyview and then to Phabeni or even Kruger gate. Don't even think about using the direct route from White River to Numbi or Phabeni which is in a terrible state - potholes, numerous delays and very poor signage to KNP.