Driving (best route) to/from Kruger

[Redtail]

Hi everyone!

Last year we visited Kruger for the very first time and absolutely loved it! After our Kruger tour we drove from Lower Sabie to St Lucia through eSwatini, this went very smoothly.
Next year we are visiting Kruger again, but then we would like to go to Kosi bay afterwards. What would the best route be? Going through eSwatini again or taking the Komatipoort-Lebombo borderpost and driving in and out Mozambique?

Thanks!

[FinMari]

Hi Redtail!

It has been, not one of the big rental car companies allow you to take rental vehicle to Mozambique. Please check!

[Redtail]

Hi FinMari,

Thank you for the tip!
Europcar does allow bordercrossing into Mozambique according the website.

Our worry is more about if it is recommended going through Mozambique?

If the borderposts are to much of a hassle and take more time to get through to get to our destination in Kosi bay, than maybe we better drive the long route through eSwatini.

[Waynebenjit]

Good Afternoon.

I just want to find out if anyone has driven to Orpen gate recently from Johannesburg. What is the best route and what is the quality of the roads like.

Thanks

Hi

I haven't driven the route recently, but this question was asked on Facebook yesterday and the majority consensus was this route:

N1 to Polokwane, Tzaneen, Gravelotte, Hoedspruit then Orpen

Someone commented on the post and said they had driven it yesterday and the road was in good condition. The other consensus is to stay away from the Dullstroom road which is apparently full of potholes and in a bad way.

Thanks for the reply Tamsy.
That's what I was thinking too. I generally take that route (but branch off to Phalaborwa) when staying at Letaba, but planning on staying at Tamboti so would need to go in at Orpen gate instead.

[Tamsy]

Hi all

Does anyone know what the current reality of the N4 is when driving to crocodile bridge gate?

Have things improved from the 2023 chaos, or is it pretty similar?

Thanks

[Tamsy]

Tamsy, there are some big roadworks around the Malalane Gate turn off and surrounds but it was being well managed and we got through easily.

Thanks Elsa!

[carolv]

Tamsy, we drove Hazyview/White River Mbombela to Tambo airport on Monday and roadworks on long sections of the road. It did slow us down but at no stage did we have what I would call a Jam. Did not drive the section from Mbombela to Malelane though.

[Elsa]

There are coal trucks on the road but we didn't see any of the queueing or chaos like before.

[Cal79]

Hi everyone

Trying to finalise our bookings for July next year - seems like a long time away, but everything gets booked up so soon!

We are going to spend a day or 2 in the Blyde River Canyon before entering the park. We will drive from Joburg and are thinking of spending the first night in the Blyde River Canyon Resort and then exploring the area, including Pilgrim's Rest the next day. At this stage we're thinking of doing a second night close to the park so that we can enter early in the day rather than driving from Graskop / Pilgrim's Rest etc. My question is Phabeni or Paul Kruger gate? Our first night is at Skukuza, so we have plenty of time before we have to check in. We're thinking of driving up to Satara area that first day as, after 2 days in Skukuza, we go further South to LS, so we might not get further North from Skukuza any other time. Based on the entry gate, we'll book an overnight stay just outside the park.

I haven't been in the area for years, so I know nothing of road conditions etc! I really appreciate anyone who can share some intel! :-)

[Elsa]

I would always say Phabeni gate is the one to enter the park from but considering you want to drive up to Satara area on your first day I would suggest you consider driving to Orpen gate from your visits outside the park, it would give you some time in the Satara area and then from there back down to Skukuza.
But I would also suggest you don't leave it too late to enter the park.
The distances can be very deceiving when you are driving slowly, stopping for sightings etc and time can get away from one.
Driving calculator

[Cal79]

Thank you as always for the help! I thought Orpen might be an option - it just means driving up from Pilgrim's Rest to somewhere outside Orpen to stay. The areas around Orpen (Acornhoek etc) are fairly safe?

[Melaka]

We often enter via the Phabeni gate after spending a night at the Rissington in Hazeyview.

[Cal79]

Thanks, David. I'm jealous of the "often" - this is a bit of a once every 10 years thing for us!

We are thinking of doing a sneaky first night at Orpen camp to fit in some more time.

[Melaka]

We've made 9 visits since 2004 and are happy to admit to being Kruger junkies! However as we're both north of 80 the next may be our last. Wherever you spend the first night I'm sure you'll have some good sightings.

[Elsa]

We are thinking of doing a sneaky first night at Orpen camp to fit in some more time.

Such a special little camp and I'm sure you will enjoy that little visit.