SANParks.org Forums

We travel regularly to Phala, and always take the N1 from Joburg.
We turn of near Polokwane on the R71 signed Tzaneen.
We then follow the R71 to Tzaneen and through it, and then all the way to Phala.
There were stop and goes up through the mountain road last time we went, but we got through no probs.

Other people will have alternate routes I'm sure.

Travel safe and have a wonderful time!!!

Traveling from PTA to Phalaborwa is a holiday on its own. Departing early, taking the alternative route from Bela-Bela to Polokwane gives you the oppertunity to stop at small curio shops, fruit stalls, family run restaurants and pubs. The stories local people can talked about always amaze me - feel so out-of-the-city!!! Sleeping over in Magoebaskloof, having a braai, tuck in early, getting up early and you know - you are less than 2 hours from the KNP. Breakfast in Phalaborwa, missing the early morning rush at the gate, set you up to relax and enjoy a repeated experience in KNP when entering, at last. You get so much more to make your trip part of your holiday experience. I definately propose the alternative route from Bela-Bela to Polokwane!!!

Thanks PetraJ i will go for the Tzaneen option now ,and not get confused with other options.really appreciate your input.

Would the alternative route be ok if towinga caravan? Or would the highway be best?

Sammuri, the alternative route can really be seen as a highway, especially looking at the road condition as well... what I would suggest is to take the highway and get off at Warmbaths (Bela-Bela) and take the alternative road from there. If you feel more comfortable with the highway, it is fine as well. We prefer the alternative route as we usually leave Johannesburg at about 20h00 on a Friday night and then there is a lot of traffic on the highway up to Naboomspruit (Modimole... I think ) where the alternative route on the other hand is very quiet. I see you are traveling on the 21st so I presume you are going through the day and it is the middle of the week, so the Highway would not be so busy. I hope you enjoy your stay in Kruger and please supply us with a Trip report on your return

Hi Folks,
Just a follow-up on our trip, now that we're back home in the U.S after 4 weeks in South Africa.

Based on advice from a forum member, we ended up taking a route to Punda Maria from a turn-off from the N1 just north of Polokwane, then via Elim to R524 east of Thohoyandou.
This worked out well with light traffic except for occasional slowdowns near the villages along the way.
I was able to reserve a safari tent at Punda Maria just before we departed from the U.S., thus giving us an extra night in Kruger.
We also stayed in Shingwedzi, Letaba, Olifants, and Berg-en-Dal rest camps and had a wonderful time....all of our expectations were met concerning the animals, birds, and scenery.
The only disappointment was not seeing any rhinos (even around Berg-en-Dal!), but we saw just about everything else as far as large game animals, plus many, many bird species as well as smaller critters.
To make up for not seeing rhinos in Kruger, we did see a rhino and her calf in iSimangaliso Wetlands Park near St. Lucia.

Again, thanks to everyone for their help in our vacation planning!




Mark

We are now thinking of going Belfast, Dullstroom, Lydenburg onto Sabie and then Phabeni gate, can anyone give updates on this route and Phabeni Gate.

has anyone driven this route lately? and what is the condition after belfast dullstroom etc.?

Shikaari, I drove this route about two weeks ago, although I took the R36 Lydenberg/Bambi route instead so cannot comment on the belfast dullstroom road. From Lydenberg to Ohrigstad and Hoedspruit is relatively fair, couple of potholes here and there but manageable nontheless. Stay off the R36, thats all I can say, I bust a shock absorber coming home.

Hello all you wonderful forumites!!
I will be travelling to Kruger in august and want to start planning the route.
We normally go via Swaziland but I would like to try something different.

Are there still roadworks and delays on the Ermelo road? and any idea how long it would take from Durban to Croc Bridge? Any route suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
Jo

The non-Swaziland route is quite a bit longer?
You will have to travel via Ermelo and eMalahleni (lets use the new name. ) If I look at the map (http://static.routes.tomtom.com) is see quite a few accidents and roadworks around that route.

Hi Josey
We travel from Port Edward to Croc Bridge each year. and always used to go via Swazi.
For various reasons we have changed our route the last few years and go via Ermelo.
Being retired, and having plenty of time we actually stop overnight in Ermelo (we have found a lovely inexpensive but comfortable B & B)
It is the long way round, but we like it.
The last time we travelled (Nov 2011) almost all the roadworks were finished, and the road is looking good.
We are not locals so Saffies will probably give you a better route, but this is what we do.
N2, N3, N11 (stay over in Ermelo) N17 to Chrissemeer (can't spell it!!) turn left as soon as you get to the town (that avoids the R33) it looks a minor road on the map, but is actually in very good condition!!
Then R38 via Badplaas and Barberton to Kaapmuiden and the N4. Turn right onto the N4 and through the toll (48 rand last time we were there) then it's plain saling to Komatipoort and Croc Bridge (or malane if you can't wait!!)
Hope this helps.

Hi Josey
Before we started going via Swaziland we used the Zuluiand route as follows.
N-2 north
Turn left onto the R66 past Ginginlovu, Eshowe and Malmoth
Then carry on to Vryheid on the R34
At Vryheid we normaly stop and have breakfast and fill the tank.
THen take the R33 past Paulpietersburg ,Piet Retief ,Amsterdam untill you come to the N17
Turn right untill Lochiel
Turn left onto the R541 to Badplaas.
Turn right onto the R38 towards Barberton,staying on the R38 and head for Kaapmuiden.
Turn right on N4 to Malelane or Crockodile Bridge.
I find this the most senic route to Kruger from Durban
Just a word of caution the Melmoth area gets dense fog and being single lane winding road be carefull, keep an eye out for the heavy trucks.
Its is a while since i have driven this route so im unsure of the road condition.

Yes that road takes you to the outskirts of Carolina. You join the R33 for about a km, then pick up the R38, and turn right towards Badplaas.

There were some roadworks between Carolina and Badplaas, but it didn't seem to put much extra onto the journey, as far as I can remember................mind you that was November, it may not be so good now, or may be better.

I would say however I would not like to do that journey from South Coast to Croc Bridge all in one go, which is why we stop over in Ermelo, though I don't know your circumstances, time may be very precious, and you may not want to stop.
Us Brits aren't used to long distances like the Saffies, so we do things in stages!!

Any more info required, just ask.

Hope you have an awesome trip!

Shikaari, when we entered Kruger for our stay at Satara, we entered at Kruger gate and took a drive up thorugh the Park.
Depending where in the Park you are staying and what time you leave Jhbg, that or one of the other southern gates such as Phabeni could be an alternative to the bad roads outside. (check with Sanparks first though as they have issued warnings that there have been service delivery protests outside the park on the roads leading to certain gates)

I did read somewhere on the forum (however I cannot find the post now) that one of the mites travels up the R40, i.e. via Nelspruit, White River, through Bushbuckridge and onto Orpen. He/she mentioned that although the speed limit is slower i.e. 60 - 80 in places, the road is better. I cannot speak from experience though.

Best of luck with your trip