Marakele: GETTING THERE

[Rocky Mike]

Hi all

Going to Tlopi this weekend ..... jay!

How is the Brits - Thabazimbi road these days? Or is the Bela-Bela - Thabazimbi still the recommended route?

Dankie solank

Mike

[isinkwe]

Bela Bela - Thabazambi is definitely the better route

[Valeria]

Hallo,
I will be there at the end of April.
I travel from Joburg to marakele, then mapungubwe and finally kruger.
Can you suggest the best route?
Not the fastest, but the best and safest, no potholes and no dangers.
Thank you everyone.

[PNF]

Hi Valeria

Unfortunately there are no roads in the area that you will be traveling that do not, at some time, have potholes. This is the rainy season and as soon as the potholes are fixed, the rain comes down and - new potholes appear!! From Johannesburg to Marakele there are 2 routes - The N4 to Brits and then the R511 to Thabazimbi and Marakele. The alternative is the N1 to the R516 (Bela Bela/Settlers) turn off through Bela Bela and follow the R516 to the T- junction with the R511. Both routes involve some motorway (toll road) driving and narrow 2 lane tar road driving. Potholes are unlikely on the motorways but, unfortunately, will appear on the other roads.
Time for both is similar with the Brits road being slightly shorter. Beware of pedestrians and livestock on both the R511 and R516.
Perhaps someone else can give you advice on the Marakele/Mapungubwe/Kruger route.

Hope you have a great time!

[Hippotragus]

I agree with you, PNF, regarding potholes etc.

We have gone both ways, but our last two trips did the N1 - Bela Bela - Thabazimbi route and I think the roads are slightly faster (when off the highway).

On either route, you can do last minute shopping in Thabazimbi - not a large town, but enough shops for basics.

[tomm]

Hi
Can anyone explain to me how to find the Marekele main gate? GPS co-ords if possible. Travelling from Lephalale direction.
Thanks

[Elsa]

Welcome to the forum tomm.

You can have a read through the topic we have to Marakele: GETTING THERE
Someone might be able to supply GPS co ords and some further info in the interim?

Also lots of great info Marakele

Enjoy your trip.

[lion queen]

Hi
Can anyone explain to me how to find the Marekele main gate? GPS co-ords if possible. Travelling from Lephalale direction.
Thanks

Hi tomm and a warm welcome to the Forums

You can have a look on the main webpage under How to get there - Distances they do give GPS coordinates.

Enjoy your trip, may you have a lovely time

[Grit1962]

Hello

We have just finalized our bookings and will arrive on September 24 at Johannesburg airport and will stay close to the airport for the first night (expecting that travel restrictions are no longer existent).

We now learnt that the 24/09 is a public holiday .

Our first destination is Marakele and we have some questions:

1) Are shops open in Johannisburg on Heritage day or is everything closed?

2) On 25/09 we will go to Marakele. Is the road via Pretoria and Bela-Bela ok for driving to the park?

3) On Google maps we found a large shopping center with a PnP in Bela-Bela close to the road to Marakele (Potgieter Road) Does anyone of you know if safe shopping is possible there. Are liquor shops normally open on Saturdays (if there is no alcohol ban)?

Thank you for your help. We are so much looking forward to this trip

[Elsa]

The big shopping mall in Jhb will be open on the public holiday.

Are liquor shops normally open on Saturdays (if there is no alcohol ban)?

They are open but with possibly a slightly earlier closing time in some centres.

Thabazimbi seems to be a good place to shop and where many use, close to the park as well.

Have a wonderful trip and stay in Marakele.

[Grit1962]

Thank you Elsa

[BirgitJo]

Hallo Grit,

there is also a Spar in Thabazimbi, I found it better then the PnP.
You drive the road to Marakele a little bit further.
There is a BP petrol station on your right hand side. You turn right in that road an drive till the t-junction.
Turn left and after a few hunred meters the Spar is on the left side.

Feel free to contact me if you have other questions.

I wish you a nice Sunday

Birgit

[Meandering Mouse]

Hi Grit, you must be very excited.

The only problem that you might have is if your want to buy some alcohol for the weekend. I would advise you to stock up before you leave the airport. Our alcohol rules have been very strict because of the shortage of beds in ICU's.

[Grit1962]

Thank you Birgit and Meandering Mouse.

Good to know.

Grit1962

(40 more sleeps until we leave )