Mapungubwe & Kruger National Park
Posted: 02 May 2011 17:19
The 10 day April break did me very good and my batteries are charged!
We took the road from Pretoria via Ellisras and All Days to Mapungubwe for 5 nights. Although we camped next door of Mapungubwe at Dongola Ranch, we explored the entire area between Platjan and Musina via the border service road right next to the Limpopo river. I have to say that Mapungubwe is a gem well underestimated. It is one of a kind, not to mention the warm weather this time of the year. (Ek hou nie van koud kamp nie....) I understand the public outcry about the mining taking place in the area.
It was my initial intent to cross the border into Tuli for another 5 days, but the river was too full for border crossings at Platjan and Pondtdrif. Instead we hit the road to KNP, entered at Pafuri and exit at Malelane 4 days later after 600km driving in the park. We were lucky to get camping place every night and we did the trip the old fasioned way. I have to say that I am very dissappointed in the facilities of the KNP. The management, general maintenance and revamping of the camps leaves a lot to be desired. The KNP remains a jewel and the wildlife is awsome. However, the masses of people and cars is not my scene. I prefer the northern parts of Botswana.
The Cruiser did very well on- and off-road, although the trip never posed a strong 4x4 test to the car. Worth mentioning may be the fuel consumption. I had my heavy 4x4 luggage trailer in tow, 3 fridges and 5 adults with camping gear for the 10 day trip. My total consumption on the round trip of 2100km, including the 600km in KNP @ 50km/h was 5,41km/l. The KNP 50km/h stretch resulted in 6,1km/l, probably the best that I will ever see with the 4500EFi GX105.
We took the road from Pretoria via Ellisras and All Days to Mapungubwe for 5 nights. Although we camped next door of Mapungubwe at Dongola Ranch, we explored the entire area between Platjan and Musina via the border service road right next to the Limpopo river. I have to say that Mapungubwe is a gem well underestimated. It is one of a kind, not to mention the warm weather this time of the year. (Ek hou nie van koud kamp nie....) I understand the public outcry about the mining taking place in the area.
It was my initial intent to cross the border into Tuli for another 5 days, but the river was too full for border crossings at Platjan and Pondtdrif. Instead we hit the road to KNP, entered at Pafuri and exit at Malelane 4 days later after 600km driving in the park. We were lucky to get camping place every night and we did the trip the old fasioned way. I have to say that I am very dissappointed in the facilities of the KNP. The management, general maintenance and revamping of the camps leaves a lot to be desired. The KNP remains a jewel and the wildlife is awsome. However, the masses of people and cars is not my scene. I prefer the northern parts of Botswana.
The Cruiser did very well on- and off-road, although the trip never posed a strong 4x4 test to the car. Worth mentioning may be the fuel consumption. I had my heavy 4x4 luggage trailer in tow, 3 fridges and 5 adults with camping gear for the 10 day trip. My total consumption on the round trip of 2100km, including the 600km in KNP @ 50km/h was 5,41km/l. The KNP 50km/h stretch resulted in 6,1km/l, probably the best that I will ever see with the 4500EFi GX105.
om sy voertuig so gou as moontlik weer terug op die HIGHWAY te kry sodat hy naby n garage is 
Ons moet net hoop die parkerade word nie wakker en begin hulle cruiser-bakkies op Patrol-bakkies in te ruil nie, want dan gaan ons Patrol-eienaars sukkel om mooi fotos van rustige olifante te neem?