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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dave Kennedy" data-source="post: 1536023" data-attributes="member: 57986">John,At this point I would like to suggest that you do not try to be too ambitious in terms of your proposed birding programme. Jos had 5 months - you have three weeks. Better by far to visit a few good areas thoroughly than the entire country at 120kph. There is not much wrong with your current plan - Cape, Kruger, Garingboom, northern Kwa-Zulu Natal - for these areas all offer splendid birding, and your time of year (November) means that all the migrants will be here as well. Cover these areas well and enjoy them - and you should even consider a day or two here and there simply to appreciate these beautiful places for what they are, and let the birds during these quiet days take care of themselves. Remember distances are large, and in places like Kruger there will be a speed limit of 40kph on dirt roads and 50 kph on tar. This is to protect the animals, not you, so please respect these limits. These limits will slow down any long-distance transfers within Kruger, and animal or bird sightings will slow them down even more, so factor these into your travel plans.Note that if you leave Kruger by driving from Satara to Orpen Gate, you exit the Park on the R531. Follow the R531 through Klaserie until you reach the R527. Turn left onto the R527, which will take you to the R 36. Take the R36 southwards towards Ohrigstad and Lydenburg, and you will almost immediately start climbing the Escarpment to the Strijdom Tunnel (sometimes spelt Strydom). Once through the tunnel you should see the signs I wrote about in PM re the Taita Falcons. Follow the R36 through Lydenburg. Once through the little town, turn right onto the R540 for Dullstroom and Belfast. Just after Belfast  the road passes under the N4 highway from Nelspruit to Pretoria/Johannesburg. Once under the highway, turn right onto the N4 for Witbank/Johannesburg/Pretoria. Shortly before Witbank the highway forks, with the left-hand fork going to Johannesburg, and the right to Pretoria.Hopefully you can save the Garden Route for a subsequent visit.Best wishes,Dave</blockquote>

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