SANParks.org Forums

Hi there Granny

Nr 33 is not a unit with a direct view, but it is near the fence, just MAYBE you will have a tiny bit of view. But there is a wonderful lookout area near the restaurant and you can always go and sit there and have a wonderful time

You will make it from Orpen to Pretoriuskop in one day, we have travelled many times from Tamboti (near Orpen) to BergnDal. And made brunch on the way. Just keep a constant eye on the time while you travel and start early.

Hope you have a great time.
Leana

Thanks Leanawel and Crested Val,
My dearest friend and I are going to the park to celebrate our 60th birthdays. She hasn't been for years so I'm trying to make it a special trip. Booked Letaba, Olifants, Orpen and P.Kop. Was a bit worried about the distance, cause I've been known to do 50ks in 3 hours when I'm travelling alone so I had better really watch my time. As for Olifants I'll keep on watching availability for something better.

If you have a GPS it could give you a very nice little thing. Set it to Pkop, arrival time as (almost) gate closing time. The GPS will tell you then what speed you must attain to get there in time.

Thanks all. I figure that it will take 6 hours normal driving. So if we leave Orpen at 5.30 it gives us about 10/11 hours to get there. That will allow time for stopping for everything, coffee and rusks at dam, wine on the deck at skukuza, and of course all the bathroom breaks. ( our bladders have aged a lot quicker than us)
Just hope the s33 is open by then.

How long would it take to drive from Malelane to Satara??
We want to come in through Malelane and get up north before heading down south.
Is this do-able??
What other options are there??
Also we are a family of 4 and most camps have 3 bed accommodation, when we've stayed before we've stayed in 3 beds and the kids have top and tailed, are we still able to do this???

Thanks Debs

Hi Debs

The journey is 156km. (if you go H3, H1-1, H1-2, H1-3)
depending on the person and sightings, I would guess this would take between 7 and 8 hours. A perfectly reasonable distance in my opinion

Thank you Cheetah2111

Yes that was the route I was looking at!

Plus there are plenty of places for 'quick' loo breaks on the way!!!

That is true

My personal preference would be coming in at Croc Bridge and driving to Satara. You have to drive for half an hour longer to get into the Park than Malalane gate, but the distance from CB gate to Satara is 127kms. And I prefer the roads from Croc Bridge to Tsokwane over the roads from Malalane to Tsokwane The toilet breaks could include Lower Sabi and Tsokwane! Just another option to make your life more difficult

I am going to agree with Cheetah on that one. The drive from Croc Bridge to Satara is just so full of diversity and different eco systems. I tend to find it one of my favourite longer routes.

We normally drive in through Croc bridge but are staying with family in Nelspruit and thought go in through Malelane as we are so close.
Would the drive from Nelspruit to croc bridge be the same amount of difference from driving Malelane to satara??
We are hopefully planning on staying at croc bridge which we have always loved

Debs, if you are going to Croc Bridge another time, then the Malelane road would be perfect.
Afsaal is a lovely place for a leg stretch.
Now that there is a ban on alcohol, the crowds are a lot less.

There have been recent Wild dog and Lion sightings on the route and Rhino are often in evidence.

In my opinion both drives are great drives, be it from Malelane or croc bridge.
I went from Malelane to Satara in April when it was very busy, we entered at 9 and arrived at Satara at about 3pm, taking many different loops and waterholes along the way

Hi,

I just joined and wanted to say I realy think this is an owesome thing going on here with the forume, advice etc! Im crazy for the outdoors and kruger is no exception! Im planning a trip end of nov, beg of dec for about a week. Will enter at malelane and leave through punda maria. Im going then to take advantage of the accomadation discount - being a student (will be camping)! Was hoping to get advice on routes to travel, places to visit. So my plan is as follows:

1 - malelane
2,3 - pretoriouskop
4,5 - maroela
6 - tsendze

day 1 - arrive at malelane
day 2 - go to pretoriouskop. Go via H2-2? or tarroad
day 3 - want to find a place to just sit and watch and relax eg dam. thinking of mestel, shithave, transport. Which would be best?
day 4 - travel to maroela. thinking of H1-1, S65, H1-2, s36, s145, s140. However have seen good reviews for vutomi road/dam, and not so good for s36?
day 5 - travel h7, s36, s126, h1-3, h6, s41, s100, h7, s12, h7, maroela (round course). sinse i only need to arrive at 6 or so, which dam would be best to sit at nsemani, girivana etc?
day 6 - travel to tsendze. thinking h7, s39, then tar road or not?
day 7 - leave through punda. probably have to choose btwn s50 and s52 redrocks? Then go to mphongolo loop and mahonie loop.

Will try to find time for tropic of capricorn loop!

Any suggestions on roads/ alternative roads?

Should i rather stay 3 nights at either pretoriouskop or maroela and give up malelane?

Really keen to see wild dog and cheetah - chances?

Also, remember s39 to be very dense. Will be going alone for the first time. Elephants + dense bush = death? Im a good driver but possibility of getting into a breeding herd quite high! So?

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated

A few answers.

I have found the H7 to be, at times, the best road in the park.
Nsemani dam often has some action.
Airforce dam can deliver quite a lot.
S100 is overrated.
Pkop in December has high grass. I would go to Croc Bridge or Orpen/Tamboti/Maroela.

Hey bushpaptist,

The H7 does seem a very popular road among the animals! Will check out nsemani and find it interesting you mention air fore dam - havnt been there, but will pass by it now! S100 seems to be a luck of the draw road but will check it out cuz have never been on it! Interested to see what it does for me! Im thinking maybe only 1 night at pretoriouskop, then three at maroela...

Anyway thanks for your input