Driving (best route) to/from Kruger

[chirinda]

Hello SwingiMA,

I haven't done the Joburg to Punda route for several years so don't know the state of the road now, but it is a long drive, depending on what time you are able to leave OR Tambo, you might need to forego a lunch stop and just grab a quick bite somewhere to eat in the car. If you go on the R81 there are speed limits in places so you need to allow time for that. Gate closing time is between 18:30 and 17:30 depending on the month, and you still have a few kms to go to get to the camp.

I understand the Pafuri gate road to Musina via Tshipise is in better condition than the road to Louis Trichardt from Punda. The road from Musina to Mapungubwe was not in great condition in September 2021. Stretches of it were fine but there were some awful patches too. You would need to take time and drive more slowly. Mapungubwe main gate to LFTC is also quite a long drive, on not great roads. - allow enough time for that too. That said, Punda to Mapungubwe should be easily done in a day.

People we met at Mapungubwe said to not even consider using the Alldays road to Polokwane. The main N1 is in good condition.

The Mapungubwe Interpretive Centre has a similar display to that at UP, and if you book the Hill climb and the museum together the rate is discounted. We had a very nice brunch at the cafe at the Interpretive Centre.

Enjoy your trip.

[Elsa]

Recently I read often about problems around Kruger. Roads closed, protests etc.

We have the Topic Advisory - road conditions en route to Kruger gates which I do update when I receive notifications of any problems.
I also do try and keep it topical so remove when clear again.

[Elsa]

You can use this site for calculating distances and also road reports londonsean, quite useful.

Road Conditions & Distance Calculator - AA

[Albert]

Just to correct this; you can check in for Balule at Satara as well; no need to go to Olifants for that.

[PNF]

Drove up to Punda in May - took the N1 to Polokwane, then the R81 to Giyani/ Malumulele to the t-Junction with the R524 - turn right and about 35kms to Punda Gate. From Pretoria it would be about 520kms.
The R81 makes a sharp left turn at Mooketsi. If you carry on straight there you will end up in Modjajiskloof/Tzaneen.
Road is in a good condition but beware of speed humps between Giyani and the R524 junction. Some are not marked - which if you are towing - makes for an interesting slow down!
There is less heavy traffic on this road and not so many small villages nor pedestrians. Also....there is only 1 toll gate at Mokopane - the Nyl Plaza. If you travel to Louis Trichardt there is at least 1 other toll gate - Capricorn - to go through plus the heavy cross border trucks and buses.

[WackoRhino]

Hi everybody

I am going to do a roundtrip JNB-Malelane Gate-Punda Maria Gate-JNB and I have two questions.

- on the JNB to Malelane part, Google suggest to leave the the N4 after Machadodorp and take the R539 to Evergreen. Is it better than to stay on the N4 ?
- on the way back, G suggest to take the R524 and then the R81 before hitting the N1 at Pietersburg. What about the alternative of staying on the R524 to Louis Trichardt ? It is estimated 10 minutes longer but there is less R and more N so what do you think ?

Thanks for your advice !

[Hippotragus]

Since it was upgraded, I stay on N 4 - straight on after Machadodorp toll plaza - not left.

I always take R81 back to Polokwane (Pietersburg). Did the other route once and didn’t like it - slow past Thohoyandou.

[PNF]

Hi WackoRhino

I fully agree with Hippotragus with regard to the R524/R81......The R81 is far less "nerve wracking" than the R524 - last travelled it in May this year - good condition with some speed bumps between Malumulele and Giyani - these are mainly near schools!

[Elsa]

Not all that familiar with CT but I did find this info which might help.

Directions from Cape Town International Airport to Stellenbosch
Directions on how to get to the heart of South Africa's wine industry from Cape Town Airport

Directions from Cape Town International Airport to Stellenbosch

The distance from Cape Town International Airport to Stellenbosch is approximately 35 km and an easy 20 minutes drive.

Follow main signs at the Airport, this will get you on the Airport Approach Road toward the N2, one of the main highways connecting Cape Town and the Winelands .
Turn left following the “Somerset West” sign onto the N2 freeway.
Turn off at Exit 33, onto the R310, labelled ‘Baden Powell Road/Stellenbosch’.
At the end of the exit, turn left onto the R310.
Follow the road (approximately 23 km) until you reach a T-junction and turn right to Stellenbosch.

About Stellenbosch:

Stellenbosch (known as the town of oaks) is the heart of the South African wine industry.
Stellenbosch wine route includes 106 wine cellars – of which most are open to the public, so you could spend an entire day in the beautiful town of Stellenbosch wine-tasting.

If wine tasting is not really your thing, pack some lunch and go for a scenic walk in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
Hikes range from an easy 5.3 km walk to a more challenging 18 km walk on the Swartbokskloof Trail. Another option is visiting Granny’s Forrest at the Helderberg Farm where you have the option of staying overnight in a hut.
Or go on an interesting walk which meanders through the vineyards on The Vineyard Hiking Trail.

Stellenbosch is seen as an important culture centre, with its many museums showcasing national and international art.

If you are more of the adventurous type, pay a visit to Dellrust Wine Estate, and go on a quad bike ride.
Tours will give you an adrenaline rushing & unforgettable experience.
Some of the tours you could go on include the obstacle tour, vineyard educational tour, grape harvesting tour and sundowner tour.

Dining in Stellenbosch is a unique experience and caters for a big variety of tastes and budgets, from al fresco under the oaks and stars to indoors in cosy and luxurious surroundings, with influences of traditional Cape fare to European cuisine.
Restaurants range from elegant Cape Dutch manors, Victorian villas and sidewalk cafes both in town or on the wine estates.

[RichardJ]

Cape Town sunset for 7 December is 19h47.

The route out of airport, I agree with the suggestion that Elsa posted. i.e. leaving the airport you head directly towards Table Mountain, about 1.5km after the fuel station, join the freeway going left towards Somerset West.

[Birbeck]

Thank you Elsa for info on route direction and Stellenbosch area & Richard for confirmation of route & sunset time – if all goes well we should be in Stellenbosch by 18:00.

Tamsy – thank you, we’ve subscribed to UK gov foreign travel advice for SA, so do get updates as and when there is a change.

[Toddelelfe]

Kruger is in sight
Tomorrow evening Berlin - JoBurg.
Saturday Joburg - Tzaneen and sunday to Phalaborwa Gate.
Any pointers for my journey?
Thx.

[Tamsy]

Exciting! Have a lovely trip

I would drive N1 to Polokwane and then onto the R71 to Tzaneen.

On our last trip we stopped at The Ranch (Caltex Starstop) about 28km before Polokwane to fill up, and have a meal. It was a very well run garage.

We used to stop at the Pancake House as a tradition for a pancakes (it's closer to Tzaneen), but it was closed last time we passed, and I looked on Google tonight and it appears to be temporarily closed. I do hope it is temporary closure, as it was such a special place.

There is a Spar on the main road just before Phalaborwa gate if you want to stock up with food.

And the community shop at Phalaborwa gate is worth a visit.

Enjoy your trip

[MattyZA]

Hi all. We are going to Phalaborwa gate in a few days.

Last time I went this way, I drove the highway to Polokwane and then Magoebaskloof. Is this still the best route to go?

The Google Maps shortest route is one riddled with potholes past Dullstroom

[Tamsy]

Hi,

Generally the route that I have seen recently recommended has been via Polokwane and then Tzaneen.
So N1, then R71.
It is direct and quick, and last time I took this route the roads were in good condition.

The Caltex Starship The Ranch (about 28km before Polokwane) is a great place to stop en route.

I heard the dullstroom route is full of potholes. But perhaps ask on the Facebook group for anyone who might have gone this route more recently.