When driving from Johannesburg, you’ll find yourself navigating the N12 and N4 to get to Malelane and Crocodile Bridge gates.
Recommendation: Do not drive this route after dark
For safety reasons, and to fully appreciate the scenery en route to KNP, daytime travel is strongly recommended.
What Road Conditions Can I Expect?
- The N4 and N12 are major national highways that connect Johannesburg and Pretoria to Kruger Park’s South and South Eastern gates.
- This is also a major trade corridor towards Mozambique, expect to pass large transportation trucks along the route.
- The highways are typically well-maintained and meet similar standards as those found in more developed countries.
- The exception to this rule is highway lighting. The majority of the route is unlit. Even areas passing through cities have inadequate lighting.
N12 Conditions
The Johannesburg to Emalahleni (Also known as Witbank) N12 segment is a multilane highway that offers a smooth and straightforward driving experience (~138km)
N12 Map Between Johannesburg and Emalahleni
This is what the N12 looks like near Emalahleni:
N4 Conditions
The N4 is a well maintained toll highway with three toll plazas between Emalahleni and KNP.
→ Please see this guide – Toll Plazas on the Road to Kruger: What to Expect for more on this topic.
Emalahleni to Machado Toll Plaza
The Emalahleni to Machado Toll Plaza segment of the N4 is a Multilane highway offering a smooth and straightforward driving experience (~113km).
N4 Map Between Emalahleni and Machado Toll Plaza area
This is what it looks like just before it turns into a single lane highway:
Machado Toll Plaza Onwards
From the Machado Toll Plaza onwards the N4 becomes a mostly single lane highway with intermittent overtaking lanes strategically placed to facilitate passing slower vehicles (~160km to Malelane, ~205km to Crocodile Bridge).
→Please see this post on overtaking on single lane highway/ road
Between the Machado Toll Plaza and a few KM’s before Nelspruit/ Mbombela, the N4 branches into two:
- N4 North via Schoemanskloof (R36).
- N4 South (N4)
Your navigation app might suggest taking the Northern N4 route via Schoemanskloof. This route tends to shave a couple of minutes off your trip when compared to the southern route. If you take the either route, you’ll be fine.
- Worth noting: On this segment of the route, you should expect to encounter many large transportation trucks.
- You must be patient and wait for safe overtaking opportunities.
- Depending on the mood of the truck driver in front of you, they may even indicate, slow down, and pull to the side of the highway to let you pass.
N4 Map after the Machado Toll Plaza area
This is what the N4 looks like as a one lane highway:
Other Local Roads
- Rural roads have varying road conditions, including potholes, gravel sections, or narrow passages.
- Drive cautiously and adjust your speed accordingly.
- Be aware that local roads may pass through farming/wildlife corridors. Keep an eye out for livestock or wildlife on the side of the road.
