Various parts of the Kruger National Park (KNP), in particular, the far north have received heavy rains since the early hours of Monday, 10 February 2020 and Management would like to advise guests driving inside the Park to be on the look-out and avoid using the gravel roads until further notice. The high-intensity rain, especially in the North of the Park should start clearing by tomorrow, 12 February but the rivers might continue to rise/peak for some time.
Reacting to the news, Reynold Thakhuli, SANParks Acting Head of Communications said a decision has been taken to close most of the gravel roads in the park for safety reasons. He said “as precautionary measure gravel roads and remote camps mostly in the north of the park have temporarily been closed and guests booked in the flagged camps are being moved to safer camps. “These closures are necessary to ensure visitors’ safety during this time and we would like to advise guests to stick to the tar roads whilst driving inside the Park.”
The remote camps and gravel roads which are temporarily closed are as follows:
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- Nyalaland Wilderness Trail
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- Sirheni Bush Camp
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- Bateleur Bush Camp (only accessible via Nkokodzi turn-off)
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- Balule Camp
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- Talamati Bush Camp
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- Pafuri Gate
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- Tshokwane and Muzandzeni Picnic Sites
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- Sand River low water bridge inaccessible
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- All gravel roads in the Nxanatseni (north) Region of the Park from Pafuri to Letaba will be closed; with an exception of Giriyondo gravel road as it will be operational but monitored closely and a few others depending on the developments. Biyamiti is accessible via S25.
He advised guests to avoid all roads with a ‘No Entry’ signs or blocked with other objects. Thakhuli also urged visitors who would like to enquire or send communication-related to the rainfall to please contact our Emergency Centre Numbers 013 735 0197 or 076 801 9679. Most of the areas in the Park do not have mobile phone coverage and we encourage those who have access to social media platforms to assist by posting valuable updates on SANParks – Kruger National Park page”, concluded Thakhuli.
Issued by:
South African National Parks: Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park
Media enquiries:
Reynold Thakhuli
Acting Head of Communications, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: [email protected]
Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park
Tel: 012 426 5034, cell: 083 673 6974
Email: [email protected]
