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I'm planning a bicycle-holiday in South-Africa. I would like to know if I can reach the Bontle Camping Site in Marakele N.P. with my bicycle?

Gerd

Hi Gerd,

Where's your starting point in South Africa?

Cheers

I'm starting in Johannesburg and - after about 7 weeks - end in Cape Town.

Hi gerd

You will not be able to get to Bontle on a bicycle nor a motorcycle nor on foot, only closed top vehicles are allowed. The camp site is a few km inside the park.

Hi Gerd,

One could easily get to Bontle by bicycle because there are no predators in that area. The road is in good condition and the camp is close to the main gate.

The question is just whether it will be allowed? Maybe someone from SANParks would be able to clarify?

*Edit*
Oops, Senyetse, missed ya there!

jenb

When we were there the gate guard told a group of tourists to close their bakkie's canopy door which was open and a few kids were at the back. There are white rhino in that section, not usually aggressive but could be potentially dangerous if suprised on foot.

Yea right! They surprised ME on foot, on my way to the ablution block!

Thank you all for the information.

Gerd

How about calling the park gate on +27 14 777 1745 and asking if a ranger could give you & your bike a ride from the gate to the campsite and then back again the day you leave ?

Seems minimal effort on their part ? Its only 2 minutes drive from the gate to the campsite.

Hi everyone, I need your help!
I am considering going to the Bontle camp (Marakele), however, we do not have a 4x4.
Would most parts be accessable by a sedan?
Would it be worth our while to go there if we don't have a 4x4.
And is the view from the top accessable by a sedan or by foot?
We are going in a tent - would it be safe with all the animals roaming freely? Guess I'll have to lock all the food in the car so that the baboons cant rip our tent apart in order to get to the food!
Which is the best way to travel from Johannesburg?
So I guess my main question is: WOULD WE BE ABLE TO GO TO THE BONTLE CAMP IN A NORMAL CAR?

Hi

Most of Marekele is now accessible by sedan.
It is definietly worth it going in a sedan, we went in a Toyota Yaris!
You can only get to the top by car (no walking!) and a sedan is fine to get there. The road is very narrow and be prepared if you can't handle heights.
No big 5 animals are found in the camping area, only non-dangerous game and white rhino occur in the camping area, so there is no danger, just be careful of snakes, scorpions, etc. Remember though that you cannot walk beyond the camping area. You drive through a small tunnel by opening an electric gate to get into the big 5 area.
We did not have any problems with monkeys/baboons when we camped there in April, but locking away all food is a good idea.

Best way from JHB is to drive up tp Rustenburg and then on up to Thabazimbi, the park is a few km passed Thabazimbi.

Enjoy it is a great park!

Hi ilovecamping, welcome to the forum!
'K........ let's see....

Yes, I'm not sure of the exact ratio.

Yes, yes, yes!!

Yes, just keep your eyes open. They are used to people but not "tame".

We had no baboon problem but just to be sure, better keep your foodstuff out of view. I do not think they will rip your tent apart though. We saw many animals in camp but no baboon and monkeys. Keep an eye on the ostrich! There's the real culprit!

We took the route via Britz to Thabazimbe, I believe it is the quickest.

Yes! Most of the roads are gravel but they are in good condition. The road to the lookout point is tarred and you can leave your vehicle at the top to admire the view. You will be given a map at reception so just make sure they indicate the 4x4 routes.

For more info, you are welcome to have a look at my Trip Report.
Enjoy your trip!

Many thanks for your previous replies!
Exactly how far is Marakele from JHB?

Approx 280km.

Hi,

Concerning the best route to Marakele, we live in Pretoria and have tried going :

(1) Via the new N4 just north of Pretoria to Brits & then directly north to Thabazimbi and;

(2) Up the N1 to the Warmbaths offramp and then west until you meet the Brits-Thabazimbi road ...

... and we have found its far quicker to go the second route.

- Going through Brits takes a lot longer than going through Warmbaths

- The road out of Brits gets clogged with traffic / trucks / donkeys & carts far quicker than the Warmbaths roads, the road is more twisty-turny and difficult to pass such traffic.

We have reached Thabazimbi travelling at the 120 km/hr speed limit in 2 hours 30 minutes from Pretoria East ... took an extra 25 minutes via Brits.

I would not suggest going from JHB to Rustenburg to Thabazimbi, unless I am missing something on the map ?

Could be from JHB you go via Hartebeesport & then onto Brits but, again, the number of traffic lights and narrow roads will probably take you longer.

As for getting there in a sedan, we have been there the last 3 Julys for a school holiday camping trip and have had no problems ... the roads in the western portion where Bontle is are sandy but dry, we tow a venter trailer which weighs something like 400kg fully loaded & have not experienced a problem, the road from the gate to the camp site is virtually flat, so no slopes to climb. Its about 1 km from the gate to the Bontle camp site.

T.