SANParks.org Forums

Hi All

I wonder if anyone can help please...

We are coming to the KTP in April & are going to have to drive through from JHB in one shot so we will probably have to leave at 4am or so.
Which route is the quickest - Via Upington or via Kuruman, Hotazel and Vanzylrus with all that gravel? We drive a 4x4 so gravel roads aren't a huge problem, it's just the time issue that's worrying me. Once we are in the park we still have to get to the KTC as well so it's going to be a loooong drive.

Any advice would be appreciated
(so excited I'm counting the sleeps!)

Nats

The Upington route is further but will be faster since its tar almsot all the way except for the last few 20 -30 odd kms.

Ok - Thanks a mill Senyetse

Last December I drove to KTP from Roodepoort to KTP via the R24 to Krugersdorp and then the N14 to Kuruman. I continued on the N14 to Upington and then the R360 to Twee Rivieren. The gravel road from Kuruman through Hotazel and Van Zylsrus is shorter, but it will take you longer.

It took me ten and a half hours to get from Roodepoort to Twee Rivieren including a stop in Kuruman at Pick 'n Pay (buy a savoury bread there, it's awesome!). If you still have to drive to Mata Mata from Twee Rivieren then you'll have another 2,5 hours to go in the park. The gates close at 18:30pm in April so the latest you can leave Jo'burg is around 06:00am. If you leave at 04:00am you should make it in time, but it's a looooong drive.

Thanks a mill madach - it's so great to get good advice from people in the know you guys rock!

Heard that may be bad roads around Schweizer R - potholes, etc. Anyone been there recently? Also can I take a normal trailer to the park?

You can take a normal trailer to the park, but it will get shaken up a bit. Make sure your spare tyre is in god order.

I am not sure if there is a thread here somewhere with this info but here goes.

For the regulars who have tried differing routes, which is a good way to get to Kalahari from the East Rand.

I have only used the route Via Potch,Swaizer Reineke then Kuruman and the roads around there are not great at all.
Its this middle piece that has a lot of choices .

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi bucky

I also live on the East Rand and have unfortunately only been to KTP once before. We didn't go through Potch though, we took the N14 via Venterdorp, Coligny, Delareyville, Vryburg, Kuruman. This section of the road was very quiet with no hassles. We just kept to the N14 all the way to Upington so unfortunately can't give you any firther into on other routes. We are off to KTP in July again and will probably use the same route.

On my way in october 2007 from KTP to Pretoria we took the N14. Iirc around Lichtenburg were many big potholes, but the drive was quiet and easy (and a long 12,5 hour run).

And one speedtrap.

Any update on the condition of the gravel road to KTP via Vanzylsrus?

thanks

Can anyone tell me the easiest way from (Johannesburg) the carrentals to N14 ,
(Kuruman - Upington-twee rivieren)

When I look at the map, I think the easiest way is driving to Potchefstroom take the R53 and then the N14... ?

anyone ?

Thank you !!

Could someone please advise us. We are in our 60's but still reasonably adventurous. We are travelling alone in our Ford Courier so a little afraid about whether the road from Kuruman to Kgalagadi via Hotazel is ok for us to travel. We have never been this route before and would be grateful for some advice. Thank you.

Warm welcome to the forums, Winky
I am from the Western Cape and have not traveled to KTP via Hotazel. I am going to move your post to the Arid Park forum and am sure you will get lots of valuable advice there.

Did the trip via Hotazel last Oct. Fantastic but really bad roads. I will do it again though.