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I'm sure this has been asked tons of times before but using expressions like "road" or "logic" within the search function provide either a zillion or no results so I risk asking again:

do "H" and "S" stand for anything ("H" maybe from "Haupt" aka "Main" and "S" perhaps for "Side")? and is there any logic behind the numbering of the roads (I certainly don't see any)?

thanks

I know there is a topic here somewhere with explanations but as I remember it,
the H is from the word Hoof, which is Afrikaans for Main and I would guess S is secondary.
Not sure on the numbering part, but again guess they might have been in order they were built or as close to it.
Sure some of them were renumbered over the years.

I always thought it meant H: Hard Road(tar) and S: sand road

Elsa is spot on there.

Granny, it does work out that way for most roads, but not all of them.

The roads give a sense of the history of the development of the Park as the roads were given numbers as they were built. The road numbers might not give geographical logic, but it does give a develomental and historical sense of Kruger.

It also explains why some H roads, for instance the Voortrekker road are now in essense S roads and some S roads, such as the S1 (tarred road from Phabeni gate) are now pretty much H roads. That sounds Irish

So pleased you asked this question Ice....although a frequent visitor to the Park I have often wondered. Only 18 sleeps to go..so excited

Janice, have a lovely trip.

Next time you do the Voortrekker road you can bear in mind that this was one the earliest roads to Delagoa Bay and formed a vital role in early transport history. It is why it was considered to be a main road for so long. Now it is one of the less frequently travelled roads in that part of Kruger.

Harry Wolhuter was central to the road building in the Pretorius Kop area. It just amazes me that they accomplished so much with so little.

thanks for the explanations - I am a fan of history, too but I still think the roads should at least be re-numbered...if I read about about a new den found next to S xyz I usually struggle to find it on the map, unless of course it is well known road like the S100 or the S128

I agree, Ice. It can be very confusing, particularly with the higher numbers.

Generaly roads S1 - 30 are southern Park.
Roads S33-S41 are central.
Roads S44-S58 is Mopani area.
Then beyond Punda is another world. This is S60-S64.

Beyond that is pot luck. Take your choice. S65 comes right down south again.

So why do you want to change it
Please spare a thought for us old-timers who grew up with those names , and we had to learn to remember where they are .

Sounds very much like changing the names of towns , cities , and streets all over the country , just for the sake of changing

I tend to diagree, Okie - why number roads if this numbering does not make any real sense? or are you honestly interested in the fact that the S25 was perhaps built before the S28? if you go to places like New York and you're looking for the corner of 8th Ave and 40th St, it's extremely easy to find it

of course, folks who regularly have the oppurtunity to visit the park will sooner or later memorize the locations but most of the overseas tourists don't - sorry, but I never suggested to change for the sake of changing, I suggested to change to bring some sense to it - towns, cities and streets have "real" names and if they are indeed numbered, they are usually numbered with a sense of purpose, as I described above - or would you find it ok if on the streets in the neighbourhood you live houses were numbered in the order they were built instead of in the order they are lined up along the streets?

Houses aren't numbered, the stands are numbered, whether built on or not.

Changing the names/numbers is silly to suggest. Have you ever looked at a regional map? For instance the N1, N2, etc., no apparent order at all, not to mention those prefixed by 'R'. Should we change those to be easier as well? No! Learn the area in which you are going to be touring prior to arrival and all should be ok, or, take the time to look should you not be sure.

Consider the costs involved in terms of renumbering cairns, map alterations, etc.

Exactly!

If you have trouble findíng your way around Kruger then buy yourself a map and study it. Kruger's sparse road network is easy to memorize, numbers and all. It really isn't that hard, and if memory fails on occasion there are signs at every intersection.

Renumbering the roads would be a complete waste of time, effort and money. SANParks can surely think of better things to spend money on, and their staff of better things to do.

Johan

I like the idea of using some of the older names. The Voortrekker road is of course pretty well known, but many of the roads do have names relating to their history or geography.

Some of the other known routes.

S1 Doispan road
S3 Albasini road

if I look at my Prime Origins guide, most roads have alternate names already.

S39 Timbavati River Road
S48 Tzendze loop
S63 Luvuvhu river loop.

and.. and.. and.. I cannot see one road that does not have a descriptive name. I think that we tend to be a bit lazy ourselves when writing. There is the expectation that others naturaly understand. This is not always the case.

There are groups and even apps that give indications of sightings. It should be standard there to give another description of location.

Spent many hours(albeit fun hours) up and down side to side on the map looking for a number!
So the suggestion as Meandering Mouse said of adding a nearby location would be a great help....to us beginners. I just love the history behind the numbers and fully intend to get them all in my head
Only 15 sleeps....better start packing

You know , road numbers or names are very useful when you want to remember an address in a town or city , etc , but out in the bush those numbers do not really mean anything .
That is when you would direct a person say to the second bush to the left and 50 meters after the big fig tree