Reply To: South Africa at end November and beginning of December

[Noods24]

I’m in agreement with the above comments from Zio & yorkieflyer

If you’ve never driven long distance in Africa or SA before, I’d seriously recommend flying to KNP and hiring a car there (pref higher stance vehicle for better views) the N4 is in decent condition mostly, but to anyone used to driving on well structured UK roads, some of the “obstacles” you may encounter on the drive to KNP would be stressful to some people ! Having lived there in my younger years, and travelled to KNP from JHB International on many occasions both flying and driving, my choice now is always to fly, it is so much easier and less stressful. Having once arrived on BA flight from UK in the morning, I hired a car from AVIS and threaded my way through rush-hour and attempted to get to Phalaborwa Gate by 5:30 pm closing time, I can tell you I’ll never do that again !! I had been told I’d “need to keep my foot in it” to get there on time, and soon after getting free of the R/H traffic I worked out that I was going to have to sit at very far over the speed limit to even have a chance of making it, which I did with 7 minutes to spare, and I only stopped once for 20 mins. Obviously the southern gates are closer, but you still won’t have time to mess around, believe me. And driving like that in South Africa now is not something I’d advise, I did this crazy dash back in 2008/9. I would not attempt that again, it was very tiring. I have flown every time since.
Having said all that…..it is most certainly one of my favourite places in the whole world, there’s little else like it. Enjoy your trip, I am most jealous.