Travel Route:
Johannesburg - Messina

The route from Johannesburg to Messina at the border to Zimbabwe offers relatively few highlights. However, there a few detours possible. In Warmbaths, take the R516 to Thabazimbi. The new Marakele National Park lies north of the town and offers excellent game viewing. The park is malaria-free.

Who wants to travel the Kruger National Park and has enough time, should, therefore, drive through the park up to Punda Maria and from there on take the R524 to Louis Trichardt, where good accommodation is available.

A detour into the Magoebaskloof Mountains near Tzaneen is an interesting option. The tea growing region of South Africa offers vast forestal areas which are very popular amongst hikers and nature lovers.

From Tzaneen, the R71 leads to the central part of the Kruger National Park (Phalaborwa Gate) and to the restcamp Letaba.

Continuation: Messina - Victoria Falls