Africa Wild

Hi All,

Do people find that the general game viewing along tar roads is better than along sand roads?
Or in general experience doesn't it make a difference?

I remember reading somewhere (can't quote the exact source), that sand roads tend to be less productive than tar roads. Reason being that, particularly in dry times, cars stir up dust which then coats the plants along the side of the road which animals then find unpalatable and therefore avoid.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Personally I haven't noticed any difference in Kruger

All I have noticed is that there is less traffic on the sand roads.

In Kruger, I generally tend to stay on the tar roads, but I do the odd sand road.

In other game reserves, there are usually less tar, so sand it is.

I haven't found much difference either in my limited experience. But was just wondering other people's thoughts.

I go there for the animal sightings and not human sightings, which there are far too many of on the tar roads.

In a way I agree with the idea of animals not wanting to eat dust covered leaves, but then I have yet to see a Leopard eating leaves.

I would say we've had more sightings on tar, but we've had some pretty good quality sightings on sand!

I enjoy being able to escape the traffic, in fact I avoid tar roads and seldom drive on them unless the gravel road entails a major detour - thus I am unable to give a calculated opinion besides to say on average there is little difference between tar & gravel.
I think it is a case of seeing more game along tar due to more cars & their occupants pointing out sightings.

For once, I agree entirely with serval!

serval wrote:I enjoy being able to escape the traffic , in fact I avoid tar roads and seldom drive on them unless the gravel road entails a major detour - thus I am unable to give a calculated opinion besides to say on average there is little difference between tar & gravel.
I think it is a case of seeing more game along tar due to more cars & their occupants pointing out sightings

Absolutely agree, I don't want to sit in a traffic jam either

When I go to Pilanesburg, because there are few tar roads, I do drive the sand roads often. And haven't found any difference with the game viewing there.

But Kruger has more tar, so I was wondering how other people found it.