[1] From Tzaneen, the R36 goes south-east for 85 kilometres, bypassing Nkowankowa, through Ofcolaco, to cross the Olifants River at The Oaks and reach a t-junction with the western terminus of the R527 road.

[1] From the R540 junction in Lydenburg, the R36 goes south-south-west for 47 kilometres, crossing the Crocodile River next to the Kwena Dam, to meet the western terminus of the R539 road at a t-junction.

The R36 becomes the road south-west from this junction and heads for 15 kilometres to reach an interchange with the N4 national route (Maputo Corridor).

[1] The R36 joins the N4 national route and they share one road south-west for 8 kilometres, with a tollgate (Machado Toll Plaza) on this stretch, up to the town of Machadodorp (eNtokozweni).

Just after crossing the Elands River in Machadodorp, the R36 leaves the N4 and becomes its own road eastwards as Molen Street, then southwards at the next junction, where it meets the north-western terminus of the R541.