A Kruger day trip from Marloth Park
How to plan a self-drive day in Kruger from Marloth Park: which way to go, when to leave, where to stop and the rules on the park's roads.
Last checked 26 October 2026
Most Marloth Park guests do Kruger as a day trip through Crocodile Bridge gate, about 20 min from Marloth. The classic day is the tar road north to Lower Sabie, 34 km from the gate, and back. Leave Marloth half an hour before the gate opens, and leave Lower Sabie at least 75 minutes before it closes.
When to leave
The gates open and close at different times through the year. These leave-by times allow about 30 minutes from Marloth Park to the gate, and about 75 minutes from Lower Sabie back to Crocodile Bridge at the 30 km/h average SANParks suggests for planning.
| Months | Gate opens | Leave Marloth by | Leave Lower Sabie by | Gate closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November to January | 05:30 | 05:00 | 17:15 | 18:30 |
| February | 05:30 | 05:00 | 17:15 | 18:30 |
| March | 05:30 | 05:00 | 16:45 | 18:00 |
| April | 06:00 | 05:30 | 16:45 | 18:00 |
| May to July | 06:00 | 05:30 | 16:15 | 17:30 |
| August and September | 06:00 | 05:30 | 16:45 | 18:00 |
| October | 05:30 | 05:00 | 16:45 | 18:00 |
See gate times for the full table and a page for each month. In school holidays and on long weekends, leave earlier and read quotas and pre-booking first.
From November to January, guests staying inside the park can leave their camps at 04:30, an hour before you can get through Crocodile Bridge. If being out at first light matters most to you, a night or two at Lower Sabie or Crocodile Bridge camp is worth it; see Marloth Park or inside Kruger.
Routes from Crocodile Bridge
Lower Sabie on the H4-2
The H4-2 runs north from the gate to Lower Sabie camp on the Sabie River, all on tar. It was the first road built in Kruger and is rated one of the park's best game-viewing drives. At Lower Sabie you can turn around, or carry on along the river.
A loop back on the S28
The S28 (Nhlowa Road) is a gravel road that crosses the grasslands near the Lebombo hills and joins the H4-2, so you can go up one road and come back on the other. Gravel roads across Kruger were largely closed after the January 2026 floods, and many were still closed in July. Ask at the gate whether the S28 is open.
West along the Crocodile River
The S25 (Crocodile River Road) heads west from the gate along the river. Its first turn-off, the S27, goes to Hippo Pools, where hippo and crocodile are often seen and there are San rock paintings near the pool. The S25 gets busy, so start early. It's gravel, so check that it's open.
Further north on the H4-1
From Lower Sabie the H4-1 follows the Sabie River towards Skukuza. SANParks handed over rebuilt flood-damaged culverts on this road in September 2026. It's a long day from Marloth: work out your turn-around time from the closing time before you set off.
Where to stop
You may only get out of your car at camps, picnic sites and other places marked for it.
- Lower Sabie camp has a shop and a restaurant. A fire damaged the shop in April 2026. In October 2026 the restaurant was due to be relaunched as the Sabie River Café, with temporary dining and limited menus while it's refurbished.
- Nkuhlu picnic site, on the H4-1 between Lower Sabie and Skukuza, is on the bank of the Sabie River and has a small shop with basic supplies.
- Mlondozi picnic site overlooks Mlondozi Dam, about 15 km from Lower Sabie off the S29 gravel road. It gets crowded in peak season.
- Crocodile Bridge camp, at the gate, has a small shop with takeaways and coffee.
With the shops and restaurant at Lower Sabie in flux, take your own food and plenty of water.
What to take
- ID or passport for everyone, and your Wild Card if you have one.
- A bank card. Crocodile Bridge and Malelane are cash-free gates.
- Food and water for the whole day, and a bag for your rubbish.
- A full tank. The fuel station at Crocodile Bridge camp was closed for maintenance in October 2025.
- Binoculars, and a hat for the stops.
The day fee is R140 for a South African adult from 1 November 2026; see Kruger fees for everyone else.
Rules on Kruger's roads
- The speed limit is 50 km/h on tar, 40 km/h on gravel and 20 km/h in camps. SANParks runs speed checks and fines offenders.
- Stay in your car except at camps, picnic sites and marked places. Keep doors closed, and don't lean out of windows or sunroofs.
- Don't feed or disturb animals. Litter counts as feeding, because animals eat it.
- Stay on the roads. Off-road driving and "no entry" roads are not allowed.
- Be out of the gate before it closes.
Please don't share where you've seen rhino, online or in sightings groups.
A guided drive instead
If you'd rather not drive yourself, SANParks runs sunrise, sunset and night drives from Crocodile Bridge camp, which Marloth guests can book. For other options, see game drives.