After months of being locked indoors, it is time to get out and enjoy nature again. Game reserves, accommodations and campsites are officially open for visitors in KwaZulu-Natal. This is contrary to posts suggesting reserves, campsites and certain lodges are still closed.
The provincial managing body, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW), confirmed with Tourism Update, that these were allowed to open and operate under Level 2 of the national lockdown.
The confusion began when those who had booked holidays were told that the reserves would remain closed, despite the new regulations.
This included recreational holidays such as scuba diving, where guests were told that the Sodwana Bay National Park in Ezemvelo’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site in St Lucia would not be allowing this activity despite it being allowed under the current level.
The confusion appears to have stemmed from the fact that initially, not all game reserves were opened and some stayed closed until an expanded regulation list was given by the national government.
Ezemvelo has released a list of parks which opened in August and those that have remained closed. However, it is unclear if this has since been updated because they confirmed that all should be open.
If you are planning a holiday, the best course of action would be to contact Ezemvelo before you go, just to make sure you won’t be disappointed.
Image: @newzululand/Twitter
