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Whenever I go to Letaba or in that area... I always use the route via Lydenburg... its cheaper as i only have one toll gate, the one by Middelburg.

The N4 hi-way from Witbank to Belfast is being retarred and the R540 is being repaired slowly.

From Witbank I use the N4 to Belfast. Then the R540 to Dullstroom & Lydenburg. Then the R36 via Ohrigstad. Use Abel Erasmus Pass, which has scenery to DIE for! Then bout 7km after you climb off the pass I take a left following the R36. After 10km, I take a right and travel towards Mica between private reserves so I'm always on the lookout for Wild Animals. At the Mica T-junction I turn Left and follow my nose to Phalaborwa Gate. I love this route as it as most of the time not busy as many people don't know it and saves toll money and is shorter than going via Pta or Tzaneen and Gravelotte.

Just be carefull for the potholes between Lydenburg and Abel. If you don't watch were you are going... if might be too late to dodge them... After all we do live in South Africa and it has been raining...

Matt,

Personally I would stay with option 1. Even if it does seem longer it might even be quicker. 10 hours sounds do-able to me from Estcourt, but rather make provision for 12 hours to be safe.

Just remember that although it states that the N11 is a freeway, it is not a freeway like the N3, N4 or N1 for instance.

You could also take the N3 to JHB and then cruise thru to Polokwane (Pietersburg) via the N1 from there. Just inform me first on what day you will be leaving. Because JHB - PTA traffic might be an issue.

If you go this route, you can check out Magoebas Kloof.

you will be driving through towns and cities, slowing down your average speed.



you will be driving through towns and cities, slowing down your average speed.

If you go this way, you could enter the park at a closer gate and travel inside the park rather than outside. You will have to make sure that you plan it so that you have sufficient time to get to your first night camp though.




Matt if you leave earlier, you could get to the gate earlier and increase your time in the park.

Just my 5 cents worth and I hope that you enjoy your trip and have a safe one.

Matt there has been another thread on UK driving licences but if you have a paper licence then you need an IDP with photo. If you have a new photo licence then that is sufficient, no IDP required. You can get a your paper licence replaced online for £10. They take your passport photo electronically, so there is no need to send one. Here's the info.

In a previous post I mentioned the fact that I was driving from Estcourt, and advice was given about doing the quickest route - N3 to Joburg, then N1 up to Pietersburg (apologies if this is not the right name, using Google Maps for reference.)

I recall driving the N1 years ago, but what kind of road is the N3?

My thoughts are to fill up the tank and leave Estcourt at midnight, get to Joburg 4.30 / 5.00 am (does that sound right?) in order to beat the rush hour both there and in Pretoria.

Aside from the normal rules of the road etc, is there any other advice re making this journey at this time? It would be perfect if recommended as my daughter will sleep through the night and if all goes well wake up around the time we reach the north. (Staying a couple of days at Letsitele before entering Kruger at Phalaborwa). I would prefer the ease of a long straight drive on major roads compared to cross country during darkness. Returning 12 days later will be via a more scenic route, taking longer so that does not concern me.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

Hi Matt
The Escourt Ladysmith route to Phalaborwa I travel regularly I drove Durban to Orpen last Sunday. The shortest route is the N11 Escourt Ladysmith Newcastle to Volksrust and this section is fine from there there is road works so do not do this in the dark the road works start at volksrust through to Ermelo there are 4 stops of about 5 to 10 minutes each on the route (you wont always stop at each one) follow the N11 via Carolina at Machadodorp here you turn left up the N4 for +/- 15kms until the Schoomanskloof road R539 turn right onto this road for +/- 20kms then turn right onto the R36 to Lydenburg (also has a new name on some signs on the road something like Mshishipeng) from Lydenburg follow the R36 through Origstad to Hoedspruit onto the R526 Phalaborwa. the distance from Escort to Hoedspruit is +/-550kms and a further +/- 100kms to Phalaborwa but allow extra for the road works delays. Watch for the speed cameras between Newcastle and Volksrust there are 3 one +/- 10kms from Newcastle 100km/h section other 2 are in the 80km/h section in the forest area +/- 30 to 40km from Newcastle in the Amajuba pass. If you are leaving in daylight or as it is getting light there is a short cut from Escort to Ladysmith, take the old road R102 to Colenso just past Colenso +/1 km turn right take the Ezhikeni (spelling) road follow this straight until the T junction at Ezhikeni here turn right and follow this until the next T junction turn right and you will come out just past Ladysmith on the newcastle side of the N11 where you will turn right to Newcastle this will save you +/- 30kms of travelling. top up fuel in Ermelo, Lydenburg or Hoedspruit these stops also have decent toilets and eating facilities.
enjoy your trip

Hi Matt
The N3 escort to JHb is double lane highway all the way there are a lot of big trucks in the early morning but the road is reasonably quiete until 05h00 then the big trucks start moving.
From Escort to JHB is 3,5 to 4 hours watch for the camera's 3 on Van Reenens pass 1 at Montevista 1 half way through Harrismith under the bridge and 2 after Harrismith 1 at Hiedelberg by the weighbridge behind the 120km/h speed sign.

Suggest you top up fuel at Villiers or the Total just before JHB that way you can travel straight through JHB and PTA without stopping.
have a safe trip

The picturesque Magoebaskloof region is situated at the northern tip of the Drakensburg Mountains in the Limpopo Province, overlooked by the Wolkberg and Iron Crown Mountains and is often referred to as the 'Land of the Silver Mists'.

Just a 3,5 hour drive from Johannesburg, 60kms from Polokwane and 40kms from Tzaneen, this is an ideal stop-over to the Kruger National Park which is only an hour away.

We drove from Pretoria to Shingwedzi and Punda in May. We entered and exited the Park at Pafuri-gate. We kept north on the N1 past the Boabab Toll Plaza and turned right on the R525, via Tshipise to Pafuri-gate. It is about 600 km to Pafuri, an excellent road with only a few potholes and cattle on the last 30 km to the gate. I have traveled via Magoebaskloof and Giyani before, but found the trip via Pafuri much more relaxing. I would recommend it 100 times over the Giyani or Thoyandou routes. If you leave early, you can have lunch at Pafuri picnic spot, IMHO the most beautiful area of the entire park!!

Good day

I've driven the Louis Trichardt/Thohoyandou road the first time I came here from Pretoria & wouldn't do it again unless I really have to because it took so looong! The preferred route for us (ie the quickest to Punda) is the R81 through Giyani like some forumites suggested. This route safes you approximately an hour. I drive the route in one stretch with just a quick legstretch at Polokwane (Pietersburg).
In this part (like in some other rural parts of SA) you have to be on the lookout for people, goats, donkeys, cattle and drivers who make life adventurous for you on the road.

I'll definitely try that suggested route to Pafuri gate via Tshipise! Thanks

Hi all,

I'm considering flying into Hoedpsruit Airport and then driving to Orpen Gate for our next Kruger trip (1st night in the park is at Olifants). How safe is this road to travel on and are there sign posts along the way for directions?

Safe and good road
Travelled a part from Orpen gate to Klaserie a few days ago
Watch out for ellies when you are near the Orpen gate

I agree. It is quite safe and the road is in good condition. Animals are the biggest worry, especially near Orpen. There are not that much human activity. It is game country with lots of wild animals. So do check the speed, and keep your eyes open. In places there are fences that are down, so antelope and even elephant is a possibility. But even the best game fences do not easily stop antelope such as kudu, and warthog.

I would not like driving that area at night, because of the animals, it is very risky. But I imagine you will be doing it by day.

Hi Bothie,

Yep, everyone's right, I reckon. Did the drive a couple of months ago, just before heading home to Australia.

The fences are coming down on either side of the road into orpen (past the private reserves and Manyeleti, so Mrs P and I saw ellies, impala etc - much more game than on previous trips.

Ecojunkie makes a good point about the new shopping centre on your left as you come approach Hoedspruit town. If it's the same one I'm thinking of it's got a Pick n'pay, a camping goods store and clothes shop that has good value bush clothing. Nice place to stock up before entering the park.

Watch out for speed traps near the turn off to Orpen.

cheers

tony

Chances of plenty of mist the first 50 km or so east of Benoni , I would avoid it in the dark .
I highly recommend the good condition (Sept 2008) Schoemanskloof road instead of the (Sappi) Ngodwana route , much less traffic and better scenery .