Traveling to Mabuasehube from JHB

[Reino van Aswegen]

Hi All,

I hope this email finds you well.

We are planning a trip to Mabua next year and would appreciate any input on the best route to take. On our previous visit, we traveled the following route:

JHB – Vruburg – Bray (overnight stay) – Werda – Kokotsha (cutline) – Mabua

However, we found the cutline was not ideal, and this time we will be towing a camping trailer. I have heard many people recommend the McCarthy's Rest – Tsabong route.

Could you please advise on which route is most advisable and vehicle-friendly for towing?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Best regards,
Reino van Aswegen

[Lizette Swart]

Hi Reino,

Getting to Mabua will involve some deep sand travel regardless where you are coming from.

Tsabong is the route used most frequently, there is some distance of gravel, although it is corrugated, potholes and has some patches of deep sand too. As you approach the cutline the road will turn into a highway of deep sand, up to Mabua gate. Nothing to do but lower the ture pressure, select the right gear and keep momentum up.

Coming from Hukuntsi in the north is pretty much the same, so not worth the detour.

Kind regards

Lizette Swart
lizette@tracks4africa
co.za

--
--
To STOP getting T4A Mail, make sure that you are sending mail from the SAME ADDRESS that you used when you joined the T4A list and then click on this link:
mailto:tracks4afric...@googlegroups.com
If that does NOT work, then please try mailto:mode...@tracks4africa.co.za

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Tracks4Africa" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tracks4afric...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tracks4africa/CAKyMvt8GhgbB0yADR__t%2BA8jpJcppJa1gP2SBM_Vu4dAwXsDuA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Reino van Aswegen]

Hi Lizette

Thanks for the advise, if you had to choose between the two options, which one would you prefer:

1) Bray - Werda - Kokotsha - Mabua

2) McCarthy's Rest - Tshabong - Mabua

If you say that you would prefer the Mcarthy's rest route, do you perhaps know of good camping accommodation near the border? When we did the "Bray" route two years ago we stayed at Tapama Lodge which was nice but I do not know the McCarthy's rest area well.

Kind regards,

Reino van Aswegen

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tracks4africa/CAPpYDkQ9QJDto_DxxPwmO_VNBUjVMiMNdDvN0UhO3JPZf6HDKQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Frank höppener]

Good day,

I have not been there recently, but from many years of experience I can predict that you will encounter many potholes on the gravel sections from Tsb up north to the gate. Gemsbok dig them to use the minerals in their diet. And they can be damn deep and close to each other. So better be alert.

Also there is a section with loose rocks and calcretions, but that section is no more such a problem as it was long ago.

Kokhotsa cutline is really 'Botswana'. So: sandy.

Enjoy Mabua. One of the few real wildernesses left.

Regards,

Frank

Op ma 6 okt 2025 om 12:23 schreef Reino van Aswegen <reinova...@gmail.com>:

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tracks4africa/CAKyMvt_A32fsmCWCZAU_HNEUHzZcuy3-o3mwOKUhUjqvkmJVBg%40mail.gmail.com.

--

Elke kritiek op de macht is extreem rechts

De dood is vast geen pretje, maar je hoeft dan tenminste geen belasting te betalen”, zei mijn goede vader.

[Lizette Swart]

Hi Reino,

I've never done the route via Khokhotsha, and I don't tow either, so really can't compare the two.

Tsabong is frequently used as the most direct route from Gauteng, I believe. It does mean more traffic en route to assist if you do get stuck though.

If you're going the Werda route, Cornwall Safari Lodge is a good overnight stop. Via Tsabong, your only option is the Camel Park outside the town. On the SA side either Springbokpan or Cullinun guest farm offers accommodation.

I hope that helps!

Kind regards

Lizette Swart
lizette@tracks4africa
co.za

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tracks4africa/CAKyMvt_A32fsmCWCZAU_HNEUHzZcuy3-o3mwOKUhUjqvkmJVBg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Peter Wood]

Hi Reino - 

I recently (August) did the McCarthy's Rest - Tshabong - Mabua with a bunch of friends.  The road is slow and there is some deep sand but we had no problems.  Four out of five of our vehicles were towing offroad trailers or offroad caravans.  As Lizette said, let your tyres down, keep your revs up and maintain momentum and you will be fine.

We stayed at Sprigbokpan guest farm, 10 km south of the border post.  I don't think they have camping but the chalets were reasonably priced.  They are simple, ablutions were good and there's a nice boma to braai.

Regards,

Peter

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tracks4africa/CAKyMvt_A32fsmCWCZAU_HNEUHzZcuy3-o3mwOKUhUjqvkmJVBg%40mail.gmail.com.

--

----------------------------------------------
Peter Wood
+27 84 5619425

[Reino van Aswegen]

Hi Peter

Thanks, appreciate your input, we are going to go with the McCarthy's rest route and will book at Springbokpan,appreciate it!

Kind regards,

Reino van Aswegen

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tracks4africa/CAMRZx7YNBX45hve9ih8Jvc1KQMrqwAjMzi%2B%2BbaQmC2TypgZmDQ%40mail.gmail.com.