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• S39 Timbavati road north

S39 Timbavati road north

(Gravel road)

My favourite spot along the S39 north is this rocky outcrop with its large trees about 5km south of the Roodewal turnoff.

Because it is such a long and diverse road, we have decided to split the S39 Timbavati road into a southern and northern section, with Timbavati picnic site as the division point.

Tthe northern section of the S39 is not as busy or corrugated as the southern one, and the scenery is even prettier than in the south (which is hard to believe once you've seen the southern section). If you drive north on the S39 from Timbavati picnic site, the first point of interest will be Ratelpan Hide, but before you reach it, you will pass through incredible apple-leaf forest with some magnificent trees along the Timbavati River. Baboons are often found in the road and in the trees in this area.

Ratelpan Hide overlooks a section of the Timbavati River that retains a lot of water, making it good for birding, but not necessarily good for wildlife and photography. Look for white-breasted cormorants along with more common species like weavers, herons, bee-eaters and Egyptian geese, which can all be seen on the banks of the river. African fish-eagles and pied kingfishers may also be seen from Ratelpan Hide.

Baboons playing in a big tree next to the Timbavati River on the S39 north.	An incredibly scenic section of the S39 north.

A white-breasted cormorant at Ratelpan.	Searching for waterbirds from Ratelpan Hide.

Just north of Ratelpan you will find a small elevated viewing platform overlooking the Piet Grobler Dam. Unfortunately, the dam is quite far from the platform, but the surroundings are extremely scenic. You can expect to see hippos here, as well as water birds such as Egyptian geese and grey herons. I once saw a leopard try to catch an impala on the edge of the dam, but even through binoculars I couldn't get a close-up look.

Piet Grobler Dam.	A stunning view of the Timbavati River from the S39 north.

North of Piet Grobler Dam, the S39 north keeps winding along the Timbavati River, offering some incredible views over the riverbed. Take some time to scan the horizon for elephant and buffalo, or even a pride of lions resting in the sand. About 5km from the Roodewal turnoff, the road passes a scenic spot with a rocky ridge (main photo) on the one side and the riverbed and open plains on the other. A great variety of trees and plants are also found here, including some aloes among the rocks. It is perfect leopard habitat!

Once you have passed the Roodewal turnoff you enter mopaneveld. Suddenly the vegetation becomes monotonous, but you still have a chance to find species like zebra and elephant. Right at the northern tip of the S39 north, about 5km from the H1-4 tar road, there is a gravel road without a sign that splits to the left. Take the detour, especially in the late afternoon, because it leads to a stunning viewpoint next to the river (see photo below). You can park next to the river, which has water in the rainy season, and look across to a magnificent rocky outcrop covered in patches of vegetation. It is most beautiful in the late afternoon and again seems like perfect leopard habitat!

This magnificent view can be found at the end of a small gravel road that splits from the S39 north, about 5km from the northern tip. It's best to visit in the late afternoon.	A herd of zebras owns the road in the mopaneveld near the northern tip of the S39 north.

The last 5-odd kilometres of the S39 north leaves the mopaneveld and runs through open country, where I have seen kori bustard!

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