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Hi
The best would be to go out Mabua Gate on the Eastern side, turn North for 25km till the corner of the park, turn West and follow the road for 32km. It will turn North-West, follow this road for 134km to Kaa. I believe this would be the best route. I Haven't done this all the way myself but I read some trip reports where the travelers had some very good sightings. The road through the park, past Nossob to Kaa is not do-able in one day. Can someone who did the whole route please confirm. I did drive some of it alone with a trailer, but you need a proper 4x4 and trailer. The road through the park is more challenging with a trailer than the cut-line i proposed.
Greetings

I agree with Lion Queen. I havent been to Gharagab yet, but on my special spreadsheet planning, and knowledge of gate times and distances, etc, winter will be a serious hard drive to be on time. Would then suggest you stay two nights at Gharagab to experience it in full!

Thanks for the advice. Think i will change the booking as i hate rushing to make a gate time

Book a evening at Nossob prior to Gharagab!

I would not recommend going from KTC to Gharaghab in one day. It took us 7 hours just to get from Nossob to Gharaghab (ok, we drive very slowly,) but if you do decide to make the trip, you won't have time to stop for anything! Rather try and get a night at Nossob before going up there. It was a fantastic experience to be at such a remote camp, and we will definitely go there again, and stay longer. I don't think 1 day up there is enough.

Thanks Jabes. We will most likely follow this cutline which should be quicker. There does, however, appear to be a trail which is a direct route from Mabuasehube to Kaa Gate. The fellow at Two Rivers confirmed this but the booking office at BWNP did not seem to know of it!

Hi there Luca,

Very warm welcome to the forum, hope you will have a great time here and enjoy every moment.

As per your post it seems you will be visiting the park in 2014 December? It’s still a way to go and I believe that the road in mention will be open by that time. The current contractors are working very fast and we hope that within the next 4 months the road will be done.

I will keep you informed regarding the progress of the road.

KG

Welcome back KG!! Hope your week away was nice, and that you are well rested for all our questions again!


So in December I will be driving on the new road! WOW!!

Good morning Jannie! It is 2012 this year.

Cool! That means that we can use the Nossob road too!
Is it going to be as low as the "old" road, or should we be able to see out of our sedan windows?

Honestly speaking KG I would visit the park first in december 2012, for the 2014 I still have to decide...
So, do you think the road will be open on next december?
Thanks a lot.
Bye, Luca.

Morning all,

The new 'old; road will be a bit higher to deal with the water in the rainy season. The road should be ready by December to drive on.

The week off was nice, just too much driving and the quick visit to Skukuza was eventfull, plenty rhino, elephant and also found Leopard stalking impala right in front of us

Afternoon All,

Kindly takle note that the road from Leeuwdrill to Kij Kij is officially open , the new road has been upgraded to about 7,2 Km before Kij Kij waterhole. The last 7.2 Km is gravel but has been graded to be able to open the road all the way.

KG

That is awesome news - thanks so much. Thank goodness we won't ever have to drive that piece of road on the Botswana side again - that April morning drive to Melkvlei made me seriously doubt the mental capacity of a large amount of KTP visitors but hey, it did add to our American friend's Afrikaans vocabulary didn't it so it will be nice to drive on a "normal" road again

For the people who are not too well versed in the geography of KTP, a map!

WOOHOO!

The Bots road wasn't so bad, come on, passing was difficult (in either direction) and there was just not much on it to see.