Getting to Marloth Park
Almost everyone arrives on the N4. Here's how far it is, which turn-off to take, what the tolls cost and how to get in at the gate.
Last checked 26 October 2026
Take the N4 east past Mbombela and Malelane. Ignore the first Marloth Park turn-off near Hectorspruit, which is gravel, and carry on 6 km to the tarred Tenbosch turn-off, which takes you to Gate 2. From Johannesburg it's 420-440 km, about 4.5-5 hours without stops.
| From | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| JohannesburgN4, or N12 then N4 | 420-440 km | 4.5-5 hours |
| PretoriaN4 all the way | about 420 km | - |
| Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA)R538, then the N4 | 100-106 km | 1-1.5 hours |
| Mbombela (Nelspruit)N4 | about 100 km | - |
| MaputoThrough Ressano Garcia and Lebombo border post, plus border queues | about 120 km | - |
Last checked 26 October 2026
Distances vary by a few kilometres with your starting point and where in Marloth you're staying. Driving times are without stops, roadworks or holiday traffic.
From Johannesburg and Pretoria
From Pretoria, take the N4 east all the way, through eMalahleni (Witbank), Mbombela and Malelane. From Johannesburg, you can take the N12 to eMalahleni and join the N4 there, which skips the Diamond Hill toll. After Mbombela the road drops into the Lowveld, and Marloth is on your left after Malelane and Hectorspruit.
N4 tolls
The N4 is a toll road. These are the fees for a car from 1 March 2026, one way:
| Toll plaza | Car |
|---|---|
| Diamond HillEast of Pretoria; you miss it if you join the N4 from the N12 at eMalahleni | R51 |
| Middelburg | R84 |
| MachadoNear eNtokozweni (Machadodorp) | R126 |
| NkomaziWest of Malelane, before the Marloth turn-off | R95 |
Last checked 26 October 2026
Toll fees go up every March, and bigger vehicles pay more.
Which N4 turn-off
Marloth Park has two gates off the N4.
- About 7 km after Hectorspruit there's a turn-off to Marloth Park on a 4.5 km gravel road. It's often in poor repair, and lodge directions tell guests to skip it.
- Carry on 6 km along the N4 and turn left at the Tenbosch turn-off. This is a tar road that leads to Gate 2.
Inside the gate, the main tar road is Olifant Road (Olifant Drive on most phone maps). Your host will give you directions from there by stand number.
Arriving at the gate
You sign in with security at the gate. Have your stand number, the house name and your host's phone number ready. There are no street lights in Marloth, and animals stand on the roads after dark, so plan to arrive in daylight if you can. If you're running late, tell your host before you lose the light. Your first visit covers keys, check-in and what to expect on the first night.
From Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA)
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA, airport code MQP) is near Mbombela and White River. From the airport, follow the R538 to the N4, then head east on the N4 for about 78 km to the Tenbosch turn-off. It's 100-106 km in all, about 1-1.5 hours. You'll need a car in Marloth and for Kruger, so hiring one at the airport is the simplest option. If you'd rather not drive, arrange a transfer before you land and confirm it will take you all the way to your stand.
From Mbombela
Mbombela (Nelspruit) is about about 100 km away on the N4 east, through Kaapmuiden and Malelane. You pay the Nkomazi toll (R95) on the way.
From Maputo
From Maputo, cross into South Africa at the Ressano Garcia and Lebombo border post at Komatipoort, then take the N4 west towards Malelane. Heading west, the tarred Tenbosch turn-off to Gate 2 comes first. It's about 120 km of driving, plus however long the border takes. Border hours and queues change, so check before you go. See day trips to Mozambique.
From Marloth to Kruger
Crocodile Bridge gate is the closest. The Crocodile Bridge gate guide has the route, hours and tips.