River Trip 08-12 August 2024

[SJC]

So what is the verdict on the correct entry point for klein letaba?
Last year most of group used blue circle. (-23.340342, 30.704944)
I accidentally used red circle (-23.36569, 30.74980)
But is sounds like there was alot of sand mining activity on first few km's. so wich would be a better entry point?

Rock garden is by balloon yellow arrow. (-23.42819 30.87634)
There is a really nice camping spot just before rock garden - we should really try to get as close as possible to rock garden on first day..
(talking about the spot we used on the last night of 2021 river trip...when we ended in klein letaba, think it was here: -23.43551 30.86301)

[Peter Connan]

We entered at blue circle but could not gef through thd mining and had to turn around, exit and re-enter at red circle, that's how we caught up with you so quickly.

Did you see my suggestion that we enter the Molotots from the other side at the citrus farm?

[SJC]

Yes, I just can't (yet) see how to get from your coordinates(23.598965S, 31.006443E) to the groot letaba/molotots. (busy looking on google earth now).
Other alternative might be to find an alternative river crossing more to the east of where we usually cross.

[Peter Connan]

I could see roads. I find it helps to toggle between map and sattelite views.
The problem is one can't see whether the roads have gates on them...

I seem to recall that there is a dam not much further east?

[Klaus]

Me and my mate Guenther are planning to join (TD42).
Another mate in a LC 105 may join as well, if you bring enough spare Patrols for towing.

[PsyPhin]

I hope you all dont mind a GWM joining. I have marked my recovery points for easy access

[SJC]

Some Important Co-ordinates:

Klein Letaba Entry (east near Giyani): 23°21'57"S 30°45'10"E

1-KleinLetabaEntry.JPG (115.84 KiB) Viewed 1065 times

Klein Letaba Rotstuin: 23°26'03"S 30°52'19"E

2.KleinLetabaRockGarden.JPG (59.85 KiB) Viewed 1065 times

Klein Letaba / KNP Fence: -23.491009, 31.059034

3-KleinLetabaKNP.Fence.JPG (58.52 KiB) Viewed 1065 times

Molototsi / Groot Letaba river crossing: -23.675369, 30.921053

Molotots Rowwe klip gedeelte: -23.569406, 30.747006
Start of Molototsi difficult terrain: 23°33'40"S 30°45'12"E

5-MolototsiRockyTerrain.JPG (68.72 KiB) Viewed 1065 times

5.1-MolototsiRockyTerrain.JPG (167.54 KiB) Viewed 1065 times

re-entry after possible detour.JPG (208.7 KiB) Viewed 996 times

Dzumeri bridge. 23°34'19"S 30°42'39"E

Molototsi Last year’s camp (2023) - 23°32'19"S 30°41'17"E

6-2023KampSpot.JPG (188.98 KiB) Viewed 1065 times

Molototsi Klip Bank (beautifull) 23°29'47"S 30°38'55"E

7-MolototsiKlipBank.JPG (158.31 KiB) Viewed 979 times

Good possible spot for last night camp:

8.GoodSpotForLastCamp.JPG (135.85 KiB) Viewed 1065 times

End of Molotots: -23.514360, 30.419357

9-MolototsiExitPoint.JPG (114.74 KiB) Viewed 1065 times

[PsyPhin]

"Possible detour for low ground clearance vehicles...Exit point: 23°33'40"S 30°45'12"E
Re-entry by Dzumeri bridge. 23°34'19"S 30°42'39"E"

What do Patrol drivers consider as low clearance? I got around 250mm, but a long wheelbase and my breakover is quite shocking.

[SJC]

"Possible detour for low ground clearance vehicles...Exit point: 23°33'40"S 30°45'12"E
Re-entry by Dzumeri bridge. 23°34'19"S 30°42'39"E"

What do Patrol drivers consider as low clearance? I got around 250mm, but a long wheelbase and my breakover is quite shocking.

Ja, look maybe that came out wrong, not intended to pick on any vehicle here, Peet drive with his Fortuner everywhere and anywhere.
As long as you know your vehicle and which line to take, with the help of a good spotter there should not be a problem. (all of us need this at some spots regardless of vehicle brand).
That said...that section of the molototsi is getting sketchier each year, it is hard to predict what it would look like this year. With all the illegal sand mining taking place there is not enough sand to cover these rocks. Which were under sand couple of years ago.
Last year a few vehicles did look for detours as it was getting late and taking too long to navigate these huge rocks. Thats why I was looking into possibilities incase we need a detour. But we will have to play it by ear and see on the day what would be the best.
You can however bring with a piece of scaffolding plank, which can be used as a step.

[PsyPhin]

"Possible detour for low ground clearance vehicles...Exit point: 23°33'40"S 30°45'12"E
Re-entry by Dzumeri bridge. 23°34'19"S 30°42'39"E"

What do Patrol drivers consider as low clearance? I got around , but a long wheelbase and my breakover is quite shocking.

Ja, look maybe that came out wrong, not intended to pick on any vehicle here, Peet drive with his Fortuner everywhere and anywhere.
As long as you know your vehicle and which line to take, with the help of a good spotter there should not be a problem. (all of us need this at some spots regardless of vehicle brand).
That said...that section of the molototsi is getting sketchier eachy year, it is hard to predict what it would look like this year. With all the illegal sand mining taking place there is not enough sand to cover these rocks. Which were under sand couple of years ago.
Last year a few vehicles did look for detours as it was getting late and taking too long to navigate these huge rocks. Thats why I was looking into possibilities incase we need a detour. But we will have to play it by ear and see on the day what would be the best.
You can however bring with a piece of scaffolding plank, which can be used as a step.

Wow looks rough. How long does the detour take?
I like a challenge but I can imagine I will be fatigued at this point and happy to skip some rough stuff.