The Kruger/Limpopo "ring" or not?

Hi everybody,

I'm going to visit Mozambique in August.
My plan is to fly to Maputo and then - first of all - to visit the Kruger Park. As I'm spending 3 weeks (1-20 August) in Mozambique (and briefly I would like to visit Inhambane/Tofo -> Bazaruto -> Gorongosa -> Isla de Mozambique -> Pemba/Quirimbas -> fly back to Maputo) I would like to optimize my trip.

I'm considering two options, spending 2 or 3 nights in the park:

1) the Kruger/Limpopo "ring": Maputo - Crocodile Bridge Gate - Giriyondo - Massingir - Macia - Maputo.

2) Maputo - Crocodile Bridge Gate - southern Kruger and then back to Maputo on the same road.

Is the 1) practicable with a small 2WD car? Is the Limpopo Mozambique part (Giriyondo - Massingir - Macia) of the ring "a must" or I could be satisfied with the SA part, considering the number of days I have to complete my whole trip?

Thank you very much

Sabbia

Edited by: sabbia001

The first option I wouldn't do without a 4x4 or good SUV or bakkie. Even though it will be dry the road from Giriyondo border post through the park is a bit rough in places, there are lots of very large speed humps and stony patches and the section through the village that is still within the park is quite sandy. The section after the park, Massingir - Macia is not a must, there is little to recommend it. Hopefully roadworks that were on part of this stretch last September have been finished. They added on a considerable amount of time to our journey and were VERY tedious.
I would strongly advise going with your second option.

I did Macia-Massingir in October and yes, the road is still under construction however apparently abondoned. There are lots of little detours which as three dogs said, are quite tedious. Having said that, if you do wish to experience Limpopo, which is interesting as it is very different to Kruger (much fewer animals - but still lots of people living in the park as they have for centuries so an interesting contrast).
Limpopo can be done in a 2WD but it really needs to have good clearance - not a low set 2WD.