SANParks.org Forums

PNF - is the road from the N1 to R81 tar or gravel ?

I am sure it is tarred.

My info is that the Polokwane road to Phalaborwa is in a poor state with a few stop and goes. I got the same advice as what PNF has quoted.

Personally I prefer the N1 all the way up north and turn off to Pafuri Gate just after the Baobab Toll Plaza. There are roadworks only on the last few kms to Pafuri Gate. We have just traveled it again and I'll never travel another route to Shingwedzi.

We did, however, leave Shingwedzi yesterday morning at 06h00 and exited the Park at Crocodile Bridge at 17h30! whithout speeding, but I won't recommend that for entering.

The N1 to Louis Trichard is a breeze, from there across to Punda is relatively fine, just be aware of people around the built up areas and a few unroadworthy vehicles but other than that the road is just fine. You should do it with a van in about 6 to 7 odd hours.

Dear Pafuri,

If I had to travel from Graskop to Mopani and had all day, I would travel to Phalaborwa via Blydepoort, Abel Erasmus Pass and Mica. Would be a scenic drive, in my view.

Best wishes!

JOEP

Also did this route on the same day . Potholes were a risk however of you take this route and keep the speedo down a bit you should not have issues. The distance with the bad potholes is not that bad either. Would definately take this route again if I were to head Orpen way.

We are going to Olifants end May 2012, usually go Orpen Gate then Satara then Olifants. Went to Satara Oct last year Belfast, Lydenburg R36, Orighstad, road was terrible with huge potholes, as we are pulling trailer a bit worried about this. Were also thinking of going via Croc Bridge. Not interested in Phalaborwa route.
Can someone pse update on condition of R36.
We are travelling from Benoni so also have morning mist to contend with which could slow us down a bit, looks like a long haul to Olifants

Fozzis , we came back from Kruger last week , Orpen , via Ohrigstad , Lydenburg , then R36 to Machadodorp . Road wasn't too bad , some potholes here and there as expected , especially on Mpumalanga roads . Last year we drove Lydenburg via R540 to Belfast and it was quite shocking

Fozzis - I think it is a case of "6 of one and half a dozen of other". I came back from Orpen Gate at end of March via Orighstad - Lydenburg - Bambi Inn (Machadodorp) and the potholes after Lydenburg were awful - even for a large 4x4. Since then I have heard that the Lydenburg - Dullstroom - Belfast road also has bad potholes.

I think going via Crocodile Bridge will be too time-consuming.

Just take it easy and have a safe trip. Enjoy the KNP.

I travelled from the Vaal Triangle to Orpen and onto Letaba in March towing my caravan which has an allergy to potholes,
used N4 , after machado plaza onto R36, passing bambi it becomes R539(excellent road) , rejoins N4 , Nelspruit, White River then R40 to Hazyview then through bushbuckridge and up to orpen. Used this route many times, no problems or potholes. Left 10.00pm, arrived 5.00am at Orpen Gate.
Just another option to throw into the mix.
Route planning is part of the excitement.

I use viamichelin.co.uk to plan my trips in Europe and Engeland and it works just as well for South Africa. Very useful site.

I have obtained the following distances from Benoni:

Via Lydenburg, Origstad, Phalaborwa to Olifants: 560 Km

Via Lydenburg, Origstad, Klaserie, Orpen Gate to Olifants: 588 Km

Via Polokwane, Tzaneen, Phalaborwa to Olifants: 612 Km.

Via Nelspruit, Skukuza to Olifants: 573 Km

I will recommend going via Polokwane even if it is slightly longer. Better roads by far and you pay less on toll fees.

We just(29 April) came back from Phalaborwa via Abel Erasmus, Orichstad Lydenburg, machadadorp. The only stretch of road that was badly potholed was the stretch from Lydenburg to the N4 at Bambi/ Macahadaorp. The rest was in reasonable condition. Just take it slowly through that area and you will be fine

We also just came back on Monday night from a trip of 2 nights at Olifants and one night at Satara.

We took the N4 from Pretoria at 2 am and got off the N4 via Belfast and then Dullstroom. As Lennie said, between towns the long stretches are in very good condition and the 60-zoners in town is a bit bumpy. I drove with a sedan and it was fine.

We went Belfast ----> Dullstroom ------> Lydenburg------>Sabie(Long Tom Pass)-------> Hazyview and in at Kruger Gate. We were at the gate at 7 am. Long Tom pass can be tricky at night and luckily we did not get stuck behind any trucks as overtaking requires some skill(SO says it is not even optional).

As check-in is only 14h00 we travelled from Kruger Gate to Skukuza, Thsokwane, Satara and then Olifants.
We had one long sighting of a pride of 16 lions at Maziti Dam but we reached camp at 13h20

A nice drive, enjoy your trip!

I am almost certain there must be a thread on this routing,but could not find,anyhow my question is which is the best route to Phalaborwa from Joburg,would be travelling on the 21st june 2012.looking forward to some great advice from fellow mites.