Archive photo for illustration purposes only. (Photo: Provided)
Access to several rest camps in the central and northern regions of the Kruger National Park is currently restricted due to flooding.
JP Louw, spokesperson for SANParks, announced on Monday that the wildlife park and surrounding areas have again received a lot of rain.
The wildlife park’s river levels have risen sharply again and the catchment areas are currently extremely saturated, especially after January’s heavy rains.
“Visitors are requested to remain vigilant and pay attention to road signs as most dirt roads in the north and central part of the park are temporarily closed.”
Louw warns that river levels in the Shingwedzi and Luvuvhu systems have risen particularly after the latest rain and are expected to continue to rise in the coming days as further rain is expected this week.
The Shingwedzi River is currently rising in particular. However, it is not necessary at this stage to remove guests and staff from the Shingwedzi rest camp, Louw assured on Monday.
“However, the management is monitoring the Shisha stream near Babalala/Sirheni which flows to the tarmac.”
Heavy rain also fell over the Kruger National Park in January. (Photo: Facebook)
All entrance gates and rest camps in the southern part of the game park are currently open. The Biyamiti forest camp is at this stage only accessible via the Crocodile Bridge side (open from the S25 junction).
“There is currently no access to the S114,” Louw points out.
The Phalaborwa gate, Olifants Rest Camp as well as Letaba’s petrol station in the north of the game park are currently open despite the rain.
Louw says the Orpen gate, including Tamboti and Maroela, as well as the Orpen and Satara rest camps, in the central parts of the park are also open.
“SANParks is monitoring the situation closely and will communicate any changes as they occur. The safety of guests, staff and infrastructure remains the organisation’s highest priority.”
The following tourist facilities are currently affected by the rain:
- Punda Maria-he
- Pafuri Gate
- Giriyondo border gate including Makhadzi picnic ground
- Sirheni-, Bateleur- and Shimuwini-boskamp
- The Letaba High Level Bridge (this bridge is still inaccessible with the repair work suspended until further notice)
- Roodewal-boslodge
- Balule Satellite Camp
- Talamati Boskamp