spassvogel

We are going to rent a car and drive quite a bit from JNB to Madikwe and further to Sabi Sands. We are thinking of driving to the border post opposite Mashatu Reserve.

Flying from Mala Mala to Mashatu is not an option as we don't want to rely on their flight schedule an private charter is as well not an option=too expensive.

Has anyone done that ride?

Information on road condition and driving time would be highly appreciated.

Thank you!

SV

tockoloshe

We drove from Pont Drift border post (Mashatu pick up/drop off point)to Punda Maria gate Kruger Park. Road conditions were good. Can't remember exact timings but drop off time at the border post was about 12.30 and we got to Punda Maria well before dark. Not exactly your route but hope it helps. If you can't get to Pont Drift in time for the 13.00 Mashatu pick up then consider staying in Mapungubwe NP, (see Sanparks website www.sanparks.org - their forum is good for driving questions too), they have great accommodation not far from border post, and a drive round Mapungubwe is worthwhile too.
Sounds like a great trip!

KayeN

Hi spassvogel

Last month we did the drive from MalaMala in the Sabi Sands to Mashatu. We had booked a charter but for two days in a row, it was cancelled so on the second day we drove.

Whilst I appreciate it was a scenic drive for the best part, it was way too long for 1 day. We left MM at 7am and arrived at the customs border at 3.45pm. The driver was very good but for the last few hours I was very worried that we were not going to make the border crossing by 4pm which is when customs close. We made no stops other than for the driver to use the bathroom or restock his food supply. Driving would have been for 8.30 hours. When we got to Mashatu, we elected to go straight to our vehicle which was already on the afternoon gamedrive. It also cost us the morning drive which in my book is a huge no-no!

I am doing it again this December so I am now thinking of a new plan of attack. Our driver had not done this drive before and I think was not keen to do it again, as he then had about a 7 hour drive to return to Hoedspruit.

Kind regards

Kaye

Safari_Craig

i agree with kaye. i did a similar drive in december 2008 (two months ago) but we went from malamala to pafuri (norther kruger national park) and then three hours from there to mashatu. pafuri is a great way to break it up because it has fully inclusive rates and B&B rates so if you arrive late or leave early you pay less.

spassvogel

YOU GUYS ARE JUST AWESOME!

Thank you so much for your response!
Extremely appreciated!

Okay now - The information was 5hrs from hoedspruit to Pontdrift. This is obviously only possible by flying low ;-)

On the way back we have already booked at Shingwedzi for one night in order to make it more pleasant.

I guess we book Punda Maria for the enroute to Nitani stop-over to make sure it's not too exhausting.

One again: You freaks are priceless!

SV

spassvogel

Just to give you an update.....

tockoloshe

Thank you for the tip in view to the Sanparks forum (got also already a "complain" by the moderator as only sanpark related postings are allowed But at the same time moderator asked posters to send their advise directly via pm which was nice and worked out

I got already the confirmation (by a member) of what

Kaye posted and

Craig confirmed.

We now drive from Ulusaba to Punda Maria for stop over and proceed the next day to Nitani in order to not miss any of the quality game drives at these lodges. Sounds absolutely relaxing compared to what we intended at the beginning.

Again - Thank you very much!

SV

tockoloshe

Oops, didn't realise sanparks were so strict - maybe I was asking about travelling from Kruger to Mapungubwe which are both sanparks so that was allowed!
Anyway glad you're sorted out, enjoy your trip!

spassvogel

Thank you tockoloshe!

In the meantime I found another interesting venue for a stop over when we return from Nitani to SSGR:

http://ingweleopardproject.ning.com/
http://ingweleopard.org.za/

They have got accommodation
http://www.paperbarkretreat.com/

We think of stopping there for a night before we proceed.
Sounds interesting..........

Maybe you bookmark for your next trip ;-)

SV

spassvogel

My Godness I am filling this thread now myself.....but I am glad if I can give something in return.

The following might be helpful to Kaye so I am copying in the response I got via the Sanpark pm feature:



>"I would allow for 2.5 hours from Hoedspruit to Polokwane , 2 hours from there to Mikado , and then 2,5 hours to Pontdfift ."<

SV

tockoloshe

Thanks for the info on the leopard project, sounds interesting, certainly bookmarked for future reference. We like to get involved in projects like this, and if you do too you must try to get out on drives with the researchers at Mashatu. Please report back on all aspects of your trip!

spassvogel

sure - I'll do.

SV

napamatt_2

In 2003, we drove Mshatu to Mala Mala. The Mashatu vehicle took us to the border post in time for the 8am opening, we were met on the other side at around 8:10 and with two stops for gas / toilets / food (both very short) we arrived MM at 3pm.

spassvogel

Thank you napamatt - you are supporting the others.

We have decided to leave midday Ulusaba, drive to Makhado, enjoy a nice stop over at a B+B farmhouse and proceed the next morning for Pontdrift so that we cross the Limpopo river at 12.30 and start our safari at Nitani.

To us it makes sense not to skip a quality game drive at either lodge and rush up to the border.

I'll report when I'm back.

Thank you all for your great advise!

SV

KayeN

Hi Matt

I am wondering what has happened to the MalaMala/Mashatu road when it takes you 7 hrs and it took us 9 hrs? Our transfer guy always stuck to the speed limit as plenty of speed cameras about, and really only did pick up speed when he thought he may be stuck with us for a night.

Kind regards

Kaye

tockoloshe

spassvogel
Did you go to Nitani? Have I missed your report? - I'd be interested to hear about it, maybe as alternative to Mashatu. Also, did you visit that leopard project you mentioned?
Thanks

tockoloshe

ttt
no-one been to Nitani??? It looks interesting but I'm slightly worried that its proximity to Zimbabwe & Tuli hunting areas might have an effect on the game viewing.

spassvogel

tockoloshe

Sorry - I just noticed your question............

So let me answer your specifics regarding the lodge:

AWESOME place! Great chalets connected to the main lounge by wooden walkways. Every chalet has got a plunge pool which is also used by the ellies to have a drink
The same with the swimming pool: ellies enjoy a sip now and then.

Very intimate lodge and extremely pleasant atmosphere - spa treatments available!

Nice vehicles and window seat guaranteed. Great spots for picnic/sundowner etc
Excellent chef who prepares EVERY dish to the guests liking - time wise as well as fare wise.

It takes roughly 1 1/2 hrs to get there from the borderpost on the BOT side.

The landscape is very nice but the driving is rogh because it's mostly volcanic stones/rocks.

Now the wildlife:

The ellies were extremely aggressive/protective. Each and every ellie had the stress fluid visible. At every time we watched them. Even in front of the lodge they started running towards the balcony as soon as they saw humans.

A leopard had its kill in a tree close to the lodge. We never saw any cat during our 4 day's visit.

Plains game yes. No buffs.

Concklusion: I would go there again for several other reasons - but clearly not for the wildlife!

SV

spassvogel

Sorry fort the typos......

SV

tockoloshe

Thanks for that, kind of confirms what I thought.

spassvogel

tockoloshe
Particularly the ellies were freaking out....Clearly they must have been traumatised .......

SV