SANParks.org Forums

I have had good sightings on both the gravel and tar roads .

I find that the gravel roads are much more quieter but produce alot of dust not to mention damage to your tyres and car

The tar road is nice and smooth but can get very busy when a lion or leopard sighting is found . I also found the big cats on the tar road in the early mornings as the road is warm

I would like to hear your opinions on which type road you prefer

Definitely the dirt roads up north, away from the hordes and the delivery vehicles.

On a tar road you don't feel like you are in the bush.

Dirt roads rule!

for the gravel roads definitely. But I trickle along at under 30kph, so get insanely at those ignorant losers that speed by creating husge dust clouds. Why don't they stick to the tar if they find the gravel so boring! Or better still, just stay out of th park!

Way to go Woodlin.

They call those very long gravel roads the ones that are over 20km/h "suicide roads "

Once you on it and you go far enough you just have to carry on till the end

The Voortrekker Road in the south is an example

And as much as I love the gravel road between Malelane and Croc Bridge (which is where I saw Duke in 2005), that road can also often produce nothing - apart from Duke that fine morning, I dont think we saw more than 10 impala in total - nothing else!! But then that happens on all the roads - look at the infamous S100.

2 Years ago we got ourselfs caught smack dab in the middle of a breeding herd of Ellies. Never have seen so many together. Seemd like all kinds of animals wanted to present themselfs that day on the same road.
Last year not even so much as an Impi.

Gravel roads
And driving a rental dont get bothered to much

Seen all my cats (close) while driving gravel
All my white rhino (close) while driving on tar

Gravel give a more "wild" feeling

And what about the excitement of driving through a small stream on a dirt road after some good rain, before the rangers closed the road.

Yes AWB! Those little streams - shhhhh - I sometimes stop in the middle of them and quietly wriggle my toes in the cool water - very surreptitiously of course!

Difficult one for me

I don't really care. I have had awesome sightings on both and my major kills are equal at 2-2.

Either road for me, although I do get a bit peeved when the dirt road is so bad that the car's dashboard wants to jump into my lap.

Gravel is just about all I travel .

I am happy with both. My car prefers tar .

I often travel alone, so if there is a sighting by others on tar, I am very grateful.

I also enjoy gravel though. Not for the sightings, but for the "peace"... although in saying that, the sound of gravel is rather loud.