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Looking forward to traveling the road again in december

Great sightings WAC, o-dog and E


Thats what makes it even more special Must also keep a look out for the resident pride.

One of my favourite roads. I have seen leopard several times on this road. Often in trees. Have also spotted lions several times as well.
This magnificent male leopard was taken at the Welverdiend waterhole late in the afternoon in Nov last year. His coat was in pristine condition.



And this male lion was at a buffalo kill during the same trip. This was a early morning shot and it was raining. The other male lions were resting nearby.

I love that road. The 1st time I brought my wife to the Kruger(1992 )she really wanted to see a leopard. Earlier in the trip I had glimpsed a leopard at lower sabie but while I was reversing to get a better view it ran away(our first big argument).A few days later travelling on the sweni road I spotted one in a tree sprawled out on a branch in full view. We watched it for 45 minutes. It eventually got up and jumped out of the tree. I was a hero. Probably why she married me. We were the only car.As we drove around the corner to see if we could find it we bumped into 3 lionesses walking in the road. Since then we have seen numerous lions, a cheetah and Sable antelope. The road always feels like something is going to pop up around the next corner.

STUNNING pictures adw I LOVE this road.... although corrugated at places, very scenic and LOTS of raptor and bird activity....

Saw some beautiful flowers in december 2009 along this road

Brilliant photos adw!!

Probably taking this road on Monday morning!
Will let the forum know what I see

We were recommended this road by some of the rangers at Satara over Christmas. They said that the best game viewing would definitely be on this road.
We went down the road 3 times in 2 days. We didn't see anything but impala and a few zebra.
Judging by the photos on here, we definitely weren't in the right place at the right time!

I drove the road in November last year.

It really was a wonderful drive. The road is so scenic. The stretch on the East near the h1-3 was very productive! Saw plenty of waterbuck, kudu, zebra, impala, elephant and buffalo! The road is beautiful there because it runs next to the Sweni river and the bush is thick. In my opinion it is not as good as one gets to the Western part of the road. You find the road far from the sweni river and as my luck would have it not many animals.

I would reccomend this road strongly. Extremely quiet by way of cars, and beautiful scenery
If your only concern is big 5 then other roads around Satara will better suite you. Such as the H6, s100, h7 and so on. Leave us to enjoy the s126 in peace

did this road in dec, a month ago! OMW!! first a lion carcass, then a pride of about 13 lions, 2km from there a young leopard barely 20m from the road..and..wait for it..a further km down, wild dogs!! we didnt know whether to laugh or cry..definately a favourite

Great to hear updates of sightings from the area

Great, will be on this road next week Monday am !

Umar-Daya, you were indeed fortunate to spot all three on one drive! Any photos?

What is everyone's experience with this road? Especially early in the morning as an alternative to the s100. I am also interested in what this road is like botanically and whether it has good birding potential as well. All input will be highly appreciated.

Hi Canis lupus. I have had mixed results on the Sweni Road (like most other roads, including the S100!). I drove it last week and didn't see much. In the past, on different trips, I have seen elephant, buffalo, lions, wild dogs and lots of raptors. There are good trees - obviously some riverine types included.

I would give it a go - Muzandzeni picnic site is a good place to stop for your coffee/breakfast/brunch. You can then turn right up the S36 to go up to the H7 and back to Satara/Orpen. Last week there was a huge herd of buffalo wallowing in mud at the Rockvale water hole along the S36 - wonderful entertaining sighting.

Have a good trip!

Hi Canis Lupus!

Have a look at this thread!
Sweni River Road (s126) sightings

The terrain is completely different to the open grasslands around Satara in other directions! The first bit up until Welverdiend waterhole is the most productive part. More open grassland with lala palm scattered around. Much like the stretch on the H1-3 main road at that point.



The stretch past welverdiend is mopani and shrubveld. Much less general game.


The S126 has a lower chance of cats than most satara roads. I would suggest the H7 (Orpen -Satara) as an alternative to the S100. Then take the S39 dirt road up to Timbavati. The H7 gives a good chance. And the S39 is wonderful and scenic along the Timbavati River!

The H1-4 to Olifants is also a good cat road! Then you could come back along the S39 Northern stretch along the Timbavati! a very productive road! And scenic

But if you like the open grasslands, the S90 to Balule in combination with the H1-4

Satara in any direction is good! The Sweni road is one of the quietest in the area