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Hi all, I am driving to another reserve in the area on Wednesday, and will be driving via Thabazimbi. I thought of leaving Jo'burg extra-early, and spending a few hours in Marakele en-route. I will be in an ordinary sedan. I would like some advice on this:
1. Is it worth spending a few (3-4) hours in Marakele (I'm not expecting anyone to say no to this).
2. If you had only 3 hours there, what would you concentrate on? Any nice hides/picnic spots etc.
3. Which route is better from Jo'burg, The R511 via Brits or the N1 and R516 via Warmbaths?

The reserve I'm going to (Welgevonden) shares a short border with Marakele, so the terrain on Welgevonden is probably quite similar to Marakele. Ideally I'd like to see something different (to Welgevonden) if available, i.e. different terrain, birds etc.



Thanks in advance!

Hi Josh!

1. YES!!!
2. Go up the mountain for sure! Watch out for the vultures.
3. Go via Warmbaths. The road through Britz is very bad. They are busy fixing potholes but there are still portions that are very dangerous to say the least, particularly in a sedan.

Enjoy!!

Thanks Jen.
The route up the mountain does seem spectacular from some of the TR pictures I've seen.

Josh, even if you do nothing else, go up the mountain. It's quite an experience and very, very beautiful. The song of the carpenters always spins in my head when I'm there.
"I'm on top of the world looking down on creation ......"

Thanks again Jen.

Out of interest, has anyone recently gone to Thabazimbi via the R510 (goes past Pilanesberg)? I know the stretch up to Mogwase is in good condition (having driven it within a month).
According to Google Maps, (from Randburg), it is only 20km longer than the R511.

The R511 via Brits Is not a good Idea even with my SUV I did not feel safe on that road last weekend And there are a lot of trucks on the road that does not worry about the pothole seeing that they created them and they still travel high speeds on those roads.Unfortunately so little time in an amazing place as well But yes do take a trip up the mountain its breathtaking enjoy.

Thanks Radman