hanl

We've booked a four night stay at Kosi Forest Lodge in the Kosi Bay area, for February next year, and are planning to drive down there from Kruger where we have booked 5 nights at Letaba/Olifants camps. Has anyone driven this trip before? Kosi Bay seems like it's a bit off the beaten track... Also, we want to stop off somewhere on the way to Kosi Bay from Kruger and spend a night, maybe in a B&B or similar. Any help or advice would be much appreciated !!!

RnR

Two weeks ago, we drove from near Kruger (MalaMala) to Phinda, which is south of Kosi Bay, in Natal, just off the highway N2. We drove north to south straight thru Swaziland. We used R570 off N4 in S. Africa, crossed the border at Jepps, and exited back in SA at Lavumisa, about 12 km from N2. You'll see these on a good map. We did this drive (9 hours) in one day, straight through. I cannot say this is the best strategy. Your idea to berak it up is a good one. While interesting, it was a hard drive, slow at times, lots of people and animals on the roads, and time at the border crossings. But it was quite pretty and differtn at times, and worth the effort, although we were rushing the entire time - at 170 km in 60 km zones if you can believe it. If you're planning a stop, I would suggest it be in Swaziland, perhaps near Piggs Peak. Mbabane and Manzini are full of traffic, and not especially pretty. Along the way, we did see some hotels and B&Bs.

Ed & Gloria

DEAR HANL<BR><BR>WE JUST RETURNED FROM SO. AFRICA AND TRAVELED FROM KRUGER TO MRKUZI VIA SWAZILAND. STAYED OVER NITE AT PIGGS PEAK AT THE PROTEA HOTEL AND CASINO. BB AND DINNER FOR TWO US $70.00. WONDERFUL FOOD AND EXCELLENT SERVICE. VIEW FROM HOTEL ROOM FABULOUS. HOTEL SET IN PARK LIKE SETTING. GREAT LOCATION FOR HIKING. IN MRKUZI WE STAYED AT THE GHOST MOUNTAIN LODGE. TWO NIGHTS BB $ 37.00 PER ROOM PER NIGHT CHEAPER IF YOU STAY TWO NIGHTS. INEXPENSIVE TIGER FISHING AND GOOD GAME PARK NEARBY, ALSO INEXPENSIVE. WONDERFUL STAFF!<BR><BR>IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE DRAKENSBERGS YOU SHOULD MAKE IT A POINT TO TRY AND SEE THE DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR, WORLD CLASS! PERFORM ONLY DURING SCHOOL TERM AND ONLY ON WEDNESDAYS 1530 HOURS. INEXPENSIVE! IF YOU NEED THE NAME OF A GOOD BB LET US KNOW.<BR><BR>ALL THE BEST ED &amp; GLORIA 4 NOV 02

hanl

Thanks so much for your replies. Very useful info! I wasn't sure about going via Swaziland but Piggs Peak does sound tempting! I assume you hired a car, so did you have any problems at the border crossing? I heard that some companies won't let you leave the country... <BR>

RnR

Avis will permit you to leave S. Africa. The border crossings are a hoot - you have to fill out a form for SA, then another for Swaziland, and then pay a 50 rand road tax. Everyone has to get out and show a passport. Takes about 30 minutes. Then you get to do it again when you drive back into SA, but it's faster then, and you only 12 km from N2, and a better road. Note that there are many road construction projects underway in Swaziland - so allow twice the time you might think. It is a fascinating trip - butwatch for kids and animals on the road, and numerous rumble strips to slow you down in small towns and near villages. Gasoline is said to be sheaper than in SA, so fill up.