Skukuza to Satara (H1-2, H1-3) 93km

The Tshokwane area is usually good for game viewing because the convergence of mixed woodland, pockets of grassland, riverine bush and the Lebombo mountains attract a wide variety of animal species. The central grasslands begin north of Tshokwane. This is big-game territory with the largest herds of grazers in the Park and the big cats that feed on them. The grasslands around Satara are renowned for buffalo and lion sightings. Most of the big raptors are to be found here, too.
Allow at least five hours for this drive, including a stop-off at Tshokwane.
Read more on Game Drives from Skukuza to Satara
Skukuza to Lower Sabie (H4-1) 46km

The area around Skukuza is good for lion and hyaena sightings.
Nkuhlu Picnic Site is the only stop-off along this road and the terraced banks offer good views over the river and its resident hippo and croc populations. The N'watimhiri Causeway is a good detour off the main road. Larger herds of grazers become more evident closer to Lower Sabie as the bush becomes more open. Look out for cheetah and rhino in the thorn thickets closer to Lower Sabie Camp.
Birders should stop off at Sunset Dam, which is one of the main water-bird sighting spots in the south-east. Read more on Game Drives from Skukuza to Lower Sabie
Lower Sabie to Tshokwane (H10) 40km

The distinctive outline of Muntshe Hill stands out starkly above the lowveld. Mlondozi Dam lookout point offers good birding and views over the Lebombo and the eastern plains. Some 25km north of Lower Sabie, the H10 hits the Lebombo and rises up above the grasslands. Nkumbe Hill (394m) is one of the best viewsites in Kruger.
The road then descends quite rapidly into the mixed woodlands of the N'waswitsontso River basin where there are often elephant to be seen.
The area around Tshokwane is good for lions and other big game.
Recommended time, two-and-a-half hours, including stops at Mlondozi, Nkumbe and Orpen. Read more on Game Drives from Lower Sabie to Tshokwane
Malelane to Skukuza (H3) 64km

There are almost always animals in the more stunted veld south of Afsaal as the grazing here is particularly nutritious and hyaenas are regularly seen. Meals and refreshments are available at Afsaal. Look out for lions between Afsaal and Skukuza. A good view site is Mathekenyane (Granokop). The road then descends gently into the Sabie River valley thorn thickets around Skukuza.
Allow for three-and-a-half hours, including a refreshment break at Afsaal. Read more on Game Drives from Malelane to Skukuza
Voortrekker Road (H2-2) 35km

Near Ship Mountain there is a turn-off to where Jock is believed to have been born. The dust road follows a line of sweetveld grazing through the sourveld of south-western Kruger so there is a better than average chance of good sightings of rarer game such as eland, white rhino and sable antelope.
There is a take-away restaurant and shop at Afsaal which has a picnic spot under a giant jackal-berry tree.
Allow two hours for this route, as it should be taken very slowly.
Read more on Game Drives from Pretoriuskop to Malelane
Timbavati Road (S39) 59km

Cold beverages and firewood can be bought at Timbavati Picnic Spot but there is no take-way restaurant or shop. Interesting stops are Ratelpan, the Piet Grobler Dam and Roodewal Water Hole. Kudu, giraffe, elephant and other browsers are usually seen along this drive.
Allow three hours, including a stop at Timbavati. Read more on Game Drives from Orpen to Olifants
Olifants Loop and River Road to Letaba and Engelhard Dam (S92, S91, H1-4, H8, S44, S46, H1-6, S62) 81km

The dusty river road from Olifants to Letaba is a pleasant drive but game viewing is a matter of luck as the mopaneveld does not have the same carrying capacity as southern Kruger.
Engelhard Dam is known for its birding. One is likely to stop often along this route so allow four hours for a full experience, including a meal at either Olifants or Letaba Camps which have wonderful views from the restaurant areas.
Read more on Game Drives from Letaba to Olifants in the Southern Mopaneveld
Around Shingwedzi - Red Rocks Loop, Kanniedood Dam and Mphongolo Loop (S52, S56, S50) 170km round trip

The S50 past Kanniedood Dam is a good game-viewing drive. There are often nyala and kudu browsing in the riverine bush and one should keep a lookout for leopard. Mphongolo Loop, north of Shingwedzi, supports large populations of elephant and buffalo and the area is reportedly good for lion. There are wonderful riverine trees along this dust road.
Read more about Game Drives around Shingwedzi
Mahonie Loop (S99) 28km

However, it is a road for rarities - such as Sharpe's grysbok. The road has a good reputation among birders because it falls within the transition zone between subtropical and tropical birding environments and so there is a good chance of seeing species not normally seen in South Africa. This drive may seem a relatively short distance, but allow at least two hours in which to do it very slowly - best done at sunset or sunrise.
Read more about Game Drive from Mahonie Loop
Luvuvhu River Drives (S63 and S64) approx 40km

Along the S64 there are dramatic sandstone koppies which are the site of the ancient Iron-Age kingdom of Thulamela. Pafuri Picnic Site is a good braai area beneath the tall ana trees (cold drinks and firewood are for sale). Marvel at the February 2000 flood high-level mark which is recorded on the ablution blocks. Although the road distance along the river is quite short, one can spend a whole day in this area and still not have enough. If under time pressure, allow four hours.
Read more about Game Drives along Luvuvhu River and Nyala Drive
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