The Kruger National Park has been receiving torrential downpour since the early hours of Monday, 10 February, causing massive flooding in some parts. The north of Kruger in particular has been heavily impacted.
Management has warned guests to be cautious when travelling inside the parks. Gravel roads in many parts have been closed until further notice. Rains are expected to clear by 12 February but rivers may continue to rise after this.
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 a 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:
Nyalaland Wilderness Trail
Sirheni Bush Camp
Bateleur Bush Camp
Shimuwini Bush Camp
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 as well as few others depending on the developments.
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 the 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.
MEDIA RELEASE : KNP TEMPORARILY CLOSE ITS GRAVEL ROADS AND SOME FACILITIES DUE TO HEAVY RAINS
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 /… pic.twitter.com/R0e2pGQvte— Kruger National Park (@SANParksKNP) February 11, 2020
Image: Twitter/ SANParksKNP
