travel from KwaZulu Natal to the Kruger National Park

One of our readers wrote to us asking the following:
We are planning a trip to the Kruger National Park on the 31st May 2009 and have already made reservations for a week.

We live in Trafalgar, lower South Coast and are new to this area as we have relocated from Gauteng. We are wondering what the best route would be to the Kruger Park from here. We would like to stop over for the night in accommodation that includes b/b close to the park but our main concern is which route to follow with the best road conditions.

Could you be so kind as to suggest a route and accommodation close to the Park.

And we replied
I have just completed the trip (in reverse). My husband & I based ourselves at River House Guest House in Malelane. It is the most amazing establishment, run by two wonderful chaps, Johan & Daffie, set at the Crocodile River with +/- 10 resident hippos on their doorstep. The Kruger Park is across the river and we spent the whole day on the thatched deck watching a herd of elephants including babies, mingling with the hippos. Later on buck also come down to the river.

We intended travelling through Swaziland but unfortunately did not realize that in addition to having our passports we required our car’s ownership papers which we did not have. Instead we drove around, via Barberton, Badplaas, Amsterdam, Piet Retief, down to Pongola, Hluhluwe and stopped overnight in Ballito where we stayed at the delightful Forest Lodge before driving on to the South Coast the following morning.

There were some road works on the way, but all-in-all it took us 8 hours from Malelane to Ballito including stopping for coffee and lunch on the way. The quickest way is through Swaziland which I would think would take +/- 6.5 hours.
I hope this helps you and that you have a wonderful holiday. Please contact me should you require further details.