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Getting to Marloth Park

Almost everyone comes in 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

Two zebras crossing a tar road

Take the N4 east past Mbombela and Malelane. Skip 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.

Distances and drive times to Marloth Park
FromDistanceDriving time
JohannesburgN4, or N12 then N4420-440 km4.5-5 hours
PretoriaN4 all the wayabout 420 km-
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA)R538, then the N4100-106 km1-1.5 hours
Mbombela (Nelspruit)N4about 100 km-
MaputoThrough Ressano Garcia and Lebombo border post, plus border queuesabout 120 km-

Last checked 26 October 2026

Distances vary by a few kilometres depending on where you start and where in Marloth you're staying. Driving times leave out stops, roadworks and 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 down into the Lowveld, and Marloth is on your left after Malelane and Hectorspruit. Pack some padkos: there's plenty of road.

N4 tolls

The N4 is a toll road. These are the one-way fees for a car from 1 March 2026:

N4 toll plazas for a car (Class 1), one way, from 1 March 2026
Toll plazaCar
Diamond HillEast of Pretoria; you miss it if you join the N4 from the N12 at eMalahleniR51
MiddelburgR84
MachadoNear eNtokozweni (Machadodorp)R126
NkomaziWest of Malelane, before the Marloth turn-offR95

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.

  1. 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, so give it a miss.
  2. Carry on 6 km along the N4 and turn left at the Tenbosch turn-off. This tar road leads to Gate 2.

Inside the gate, the main tar road is Olifant Road (Olifant Drive on most phone maps). From there your host will direct you by stand number.

Arriving at the gate

You sign in with security at the gate, so have your stand number, the house name and your host's phone number ready. Marloth has no street lights, and animals stand on the roads after dark, so plan to arrive in daylight if you can. If you're running late, let your host know before the light goes. 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 check that 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 is the closest gate. The Crocodile Bridge gate guide has the route, hours and tips.

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