R31 Van Zyl's Rus to Askham

[Glen Macquet]

I understand that this isn't a great road. How bad is it? It seems to
run next to the Kuruman river which if travelled slowly could be
rewarding for an aspiring birder. Unless of course there isn't any
watyer in the damn river. Can anyone tell me if it's a worthwhile
drive or should I rather go down the N14 to Upington and then up.

Glen

[Mike N]

Glen
If you just want to get to your destination, go via Upington.
The R31 is a cattle farming community service road, and makes no
claims to being a tourist route with any particular highlights. As
such it is not a view route, nor is its condition constant, and I've
never seen water in the river (when you can see the river at all). The
road route itself also does not take you along the best birding area.
I've driven it when it was as horrible as the worst you can think of,
I've also driven it after rain and good grading when it compared to
the best in Namibia gravel roads. But I like it, and has good memories
of it, and enjoyed staying over at Vanzylsrus.
What I have not done, is the trail from west of Vanzylsrus actually
along the river and border to Askham. By all indications, that could
be rewarding for birding. Last I knew, the guy owning the Gemsbok Inn
in VZRus could organise access.
Cheers
Mike N

[Christo Pietersen]

Glen

More often than not that river is a dry riverbed and you could often be
driving 'in the river' without even knowing it. I have not driven that
road in its totality but with any gravel road it will be dependant on
when last a grader went past there. Unfortunately graders in the
Northern Cape are far and few between, so the road will most likely be a
bumpy and VERY corrugated affair which will probably be traveled at not
faster than 80km/h max, probably slower!.

You will definitely not score time on this road in relation to the
Upington road. Nature wise it is probably not much different from what
you can expect to see from Upington, and doing 80km/h on that road you
will probably not have much time to enjoy the view either.

My advice would be to do the Upington road, but like I said, I have not
driven the full stretch of this road to give you a hard and fast opinion
of comparison between the two.

Christo Pietersen

GRIESEL NEL INCORPORATED

265 Von Willich Avenue, Centurion, 0046
P.O Box 7158, Centurion, 0046
Tel: +27 12 663 1735
Fax: +27 12 663 5469
Website: www.grieselnel.co.za


Griesel Nel Incorporated is an association of legally independent
accounting firms.
The views expressed herein are those of the sender and do not
necessarily reflect those of Griesel Nel Incorporated. The information
contained in this communication is confidential and may be legally
privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or
entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to receive it. If
you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any
disclosure, copying, distribution or taking of action in reliance on the
contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.
Griesel Nel Incorporated is neither liable for the proper, complete
transmission of the information contained in this communication nor any
delay in its receipt.

[Henk Smit]

What river? I sure did not see any river or water when going past there in
August last year. And I can tell you that even the worst roads in and
around the kgalagadi did not come close to this road.

I did not see much wild life / birds except for a few baboons on an electric
fencs, but that was very close to the tar road to Kuruman.

I would not suggest taking this route if you simply want to get to the park,
rather go via Upington.

Cheers
Henk

----- Original Message -----
From: "Glen Macquet" <gl...@lime.co.za>
To: "overland-forum" <overlan...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 4:40 PM
Subject: [Overland] R31 Van Zyl's Rus to Askham

>

[Pieter Theron]

Last time I was there, coming from Kgalagadi, the guy at the co-op in
Askham told me the road is a "car-breaker", so I decided to do the
Upington route. Diesel was very cheap at that co-op. Diesel owners
may take note of that.

[Peter Tiedt]

>Diesel was very cheap at that co-op. Diesel owners
>may take note of that.

In general, all agri co-ops will sell Diesel cheaper than a filling
station, usually 30 - 40 c/litre
Nice thing is that most country towns have a co-op, usually hidden down
a side street.
Ask at the info office or the tuisnywerheid in the dorpie coz the garage
owner is not going to tell you.

Also, scattered round the country, in most of the bigger towns, there is
usually a truck stop. Diesel here is also a big whack cheaper.

PT

[Glen Macquet]

I asked, because last year, Aug/Sep on the way to Mabuasehube, I
stopped over at Molopo GR, and then, instead of going back to
Vorstershoop and from there west to McCarthy's Boder Post, I took the
Molopo river road which was also dry. Lovely drive though with a bit
of birding to be had, and although slow & meandering, a nice road/
track. I was hoping the R31 was similar, but it sounds like definately
not. So, I'll probably go via Upington then.

Glen

On Mar 3, 6:27 pm, "Henk Smit" <henks...@vodamail.co.za> wrote:

> > Glen- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Tiaan Schutte]

Except Thabazimbi, heir co-op was more expensive than the other filling
stations down the road.

People staying in Randburg area, go to the BP in Rabie street, last week the
price was R7-50 same as petrol.

Regards,

Tiaan

PT

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.3/1307 - Release Date: 2008/03/02
03:59 PM

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.3/1307 - Release Date: 2008/03/02
03:59 PM

[Kevin Smith]

Last year one of our party split off and did this route. They said it
was disappointing and not worth the effort.

Kevin

[Hannes Thirion]

Glen,

I travelled that route end of March 2007, and the gravel road was in a good condition.

Have a look at my attached track log file.  Double click on any place on the gravel part of the R31 to see my speed at a particular section.  I was on holiday and my wife with me, so no fast driving.  With tyre pressure at the correct setting for the load and the road it was a comfortable ride at 80 - 90 km/h.  See track log file.

But then, take note of MikeN's comment; 'I've also driven it after rain and good grading when it compared to the best in Namibia gravel roads.'  It was not as good as the Namibian gravel roads, but good enough for a comfortable ride.

All depending on when the grader graded the road.

It is tar from the east through Hotazel up to S27.11582 E22.66576.  

Did not see much birdlife, but at least one camel at S27.00425 E20.95637...  :-)  

(See photo)

 

Regards,

 

Hannes Thirion
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannes_thirion/

[George Sole]

Only problem is that it is probable 500ppm diesel - most modern diesels
want the 50ppm flavour because of extended service life.

-----Original Message-----
From: overlan...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Tiedt
Sent: 04 March 2008 10:43 AM
To: overlan...@googlegroups.com

[Peter Tiedt]

>Diesel was very cheap at that co-op. Diesel owners
>may take note of that.

-----

In general, all agri co-ops will sell Diesel cheaper than a filling
station, usually 30 - 40 c/litre
Nice thing is that most country towns have a co-op, usually hidden down
a side street.
Ask at the info office or the tuisnywerheid in the dorpie coz the garage
owner is not going to tell you.

Also, scattered round the country, in most of the bigger towns, there is
usually a truck stop. Diesel here is also a big whack cheaper.

---
George said ..

Only problem is that it is probable 500ppm diesel - most modern diesels
want the 50ppm flavour because of extended service life.
-----

But, that's OK for the Defender td5, tdi, Cruiser 4.2 n/a and many other
engines that don't need 50ppm.

PT

[Neville Steyn]

Just back from kgalagadi. Did both routes. Askam/vanzyl terrible with
extensive road works. Even though longer I think Uppington is the better
route. Also saw a overland sticker on a short wheelbase pajero. Was not able
to introduce myself but Hi anyway. Also been much rain and all sand roads
difficult.

--

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.518 / Virus Database: 269.21.7/1324 - Release Date: 3/10/2008
7:27 PM

[Glen Macquet]

Hi Neville,

I'm so glad that you reported on that, because I was going to go on
the Van Zyls's - Askham rd next week. I'll give it a miss now, and go
the long way round.

Glen

> 7:27 PM- Hide quoted text -

[Bannavdm]

The last time that river flowed was during the floods of 1976. That
year we swam , built our own boats and can even remember the catfish
sucking on our legs for food when the river eventually came to a
standstill.....
If you follow the 4x4 track which runs along the riverbed all the way
to Bokspits, be prepared to open a couple of gates.
If you want to get used to driving along sandy corrugated roads,
follow the road from Van Zylsrus to Askham.
If you want to get to KTP and get it over with....follow the tar road
via Upington. You can always test your car's suspension etc on the
remaining untarred section from Molopo to Tweerivieren....;-)

Greetings
Banna (from Upington)