With various parts of the Kruger National Park expected to receive more rain until Friday (February 17), the park’s management team has temporarily closed some of its remote camps and has evacuated staff members to nearer safer camps until the situation improves.

KNP also started evacuating guests out of the park from high-risk areas on Saturday (February 11).

“As a precautionary measure, gravel roads and remote camps have been temporarily closed, including those used to evacuate guests from Lower Sabie, Biyamiti and Crocodile Bridge out of the KNP yesterday (February 12). Closures are necessary to ensure everybody’s safety during this time and we would like to advise guests to stick to the tar roads whilst driving inside the park. A disaster management team has been established and updates will be released periodically until the situation improves,” said KNP Managing Executive, Oscar Mthimkhulu.

Although the teams had to close some of the tar roads for a short period over the weekend for guests’ safety – including the route between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza as well as the one between Malelane and Skukuza – all tar roads are now open.

Skukuza Airport is operating but Mthimkhulu advises passengers to contact their lodges for updated flood information before flying to Skukuza.

The airport is currently processing passengers to and from the airport via Kruger Shalati Bridge. All transfer companies, lodge representatives, and car hire should pick up and drop off guests at the Skukuza Day Visitors Site, which is adjacent to Shalati, because the Sabie low-level bridge is currently flooded. 

The latest status of camps and roads in KNP is as follows:

• Gravel roads in the south remain closed.
• All tar roads in the Park are open, except the main road between Skukuza and Lower Sabie.
• Talamati Bush Camp is closed.
• Balule is closed.
• Biyamiti Bush Camp closed.
• Sable Hide closed.
• Shimuwini, Bateleur and Sirheni Bush Camps are open.
• All Rest Camps are operational except Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie.
• All Entrance Gates except Crocodile Bridge are open.

Exercising caution and adhering to all guidelines remain the best way forward for the safety of all, according to Mthimkhulu.

“Honorary Rangers and KNP roads teams continue to clear debris on the bridges and anywhere else when necessary. We advise guests to avoid all roads with a ‘No Entry’ sign or blocked with other objects. We also urge visitors who would like to enquire or send communication related to the rainfall to please contact our Emergency Centre Numbers 013 735 0197/4325 or 076 801 9679,” said Mthimkhulu.

Travellers can also stay up to date with the latest news through social media (SANParks - Kruger National Park Facebook group).