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I sometimes get the impression that many people do not regard the H9 as a particularly good game viewing road. However, I had some magnificent sightings on this road over the years.

When I still lived in Tzaneen, we travelled it very often. Some special sightings I can recall is a small herd of roan antelope at Erfplaas and also a few eland between Phalaborwa gate and the H14 intersection.

During our 12 night stay last year, it was the only road which produced some lions (between Masorini and Erfplaas). A few years ago we saw two male lions with a wildebeest kill next to the road on the short gravel detour near Nhlanganini Dam. At the dam itself we have spent many wonderful late afternoon moments watching game while enjoying a sundowner.

Normally the road between Letaba and Nhlanganini is relatively quiet regarding traffic, and most of the times you have the area for yourself.

On the odd occasion I have travelled this road, I cannot say it has been memorable.

I think many tourists cruise the H7 to get to Letaba etc. as soon as possible.

I have had little luck there, also a little herd of roan at Rhidonda in the 80's.

Ironically, It's the only road where lion has been my first animal seen upon entering the Park! (A big male near the gate late one afternoon around 1995)

Otherwise relatively little game. I can't even remember if Erfplaas, Swartklip and Rhidonda still operate!? They were really reliable in the old days.

anybody that can add to this??

joekin I can add to this This is the gate and road I will enter the Park for MY TRIP and as it was said before, ppl enter and try to get to Letaba quickly as they probably have been travelling all day to get there, unless your name is Ndloti as he sleeps outside his car on a mat

Saying that, I have exited the Park via this road a number of times and was impressed with all the elephant herds and ground hornbills encountered on this road, nothing like Lourens is experiencing now, but still a nice road to travel

No luck on this road for me!

The road is on most days quiet .... but saying that I have recently encountered good Elephant and Buffalo sightings. My highlight was in 2008 ... a Leopard near Sable Dam turnoff. Also Klipspringers near Masorini.


You just never know.

Lets see what Lourens has to report.

Past month on this road:
Lion kill with zebra, Major Tuskers, wild dog, leopard, but, you can't have it all! BTW largest herd of buf on this road last week.

i hope you show me on the way to the practice session

Have had leopard in Dec, Wild dogs a few km's from the gate a few years back. In fact they were the first mammals we saw after entering gate, even before impala. Always elle's. Lion at massorini. Ostrich, jackals, buffalo.