South Africa’s Kruger National Park is undergoing improvements in infrastructure and road maintenance.
Image: Unsplash / Kedar Gadge
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SANParks has made steady progress towards the improvements and refurbishments of infrastructure in the national park, it said in a statement.
Several key facilities are now fully operational after successful renovations.
These include the Letaba Shop, Lower Sabie Petrol Station, and the upgraded Sweni Trails Camp. Visitors to Skukuza Rest Camp can now enjoy the restored Wild Fig Guest House and refurbished tourism units, as well as a newly repaired viewing deck that had previously suffered termite damage. The Olifants Camp restaurant viewing deck, also affected by termites, has been renovated, and the Shingwedzi Restaurant now boasts a new roof.
SANParks reports that several projects are still in progress across the park.
The Phalaborwa Wildlife Activity Hub is 40% complete, while the Shangoni Gate Development, including its reception facility, has reached 65% completion. Staff accommodation upgrades are ongoing at multiple locations, including Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Satara, Malelane, Crocodile Bridge, and Olifants Rest Camps.
Road maintenance is another crucial aspect of the park’s upgrades. SANParks has deployed two new graders to improve the condition of gravel roads throughout the park.
“Roads which have been bladed so far includes H2-2, S25, S28, S36, S139. S83, S84, S85, S34, S125, Tamboti and Maroela access roads, S106 and many more,” SANParks stated.
It is also in the process of acquiring additional equipment to expand its ro ad maintenance capabilities.
Road improvements in the coming weeks will target routes S125, S37, S39, S89, S91, S92, S41, S100, and S90.
Additionally, professional engineering consultants have been engaged to design structural repairs for flood-damaged bridges on roads H4-1 and H1-2.
The ongoing upgrades are not only benefiting park visitors. SANParks reports that the project has created over 1,000 new jobs and provided opportunities for local small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to do business with the park.
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