Heavy rains in and around the southern part of the Kruger National Park have led to logistical challenges, such as road and camp closures.
Camps that have been closed as they have become inaccessible due to the heavy rain include Talamati, Biyamiti, Wolhuter, Boesman,Olifants, Balule, Sirheni, Bateleur, and Shimuwini as well as ten perimeter units at Berg-en-Dal. Ike Phaahla, Media Specialist for SANParks, told Tourism Update that visitors who were overnighting in these camps have been evacuated to other camps within the park. Travellers holding existing reservations for these camps are requested to contact reservations on 012 428 9111 to make alternative arrangements.
The Wolhuter, Bushman and Sweni trails are also all closed due to the rain. Guests booked at these Wilderness trails are advised to contact Hester van den Berg on 012 426 5117 / hesther.vandenberg@sanparks.org for changes to bookings.
All gravel roads in the south of the park as well as the Crocodile Bridge have been closed to the public. Skukuza and Lower Sabie are only accessible through Phabeni and Kruger Gate or from the north of the park. Pretoriuskop is only accessible from Numbi Gate. Concessions that have been closed include Shishangeni, Imbali Lodge, Tinga and Jock of the Bushveld.
Private game lodges in the greater Kruger Park area have also been affected by the heavy rains. Dale Jackson, Manager of Tanda Tula Safari Camp in the Timbavati, says the heavy rains have made the river almost impassable, which has led to ‘logistical adventures’ to get clients in and out of the camp. However, game drives took place without problems today, with guests still going out on game walks this morning. Jackson fears, however, that if the rain persists, the lodge will become completely inaccessible.
Other camps report not having problems as yet. Kings Camp in the Timbavati told Tourism Update that it had been spared from flooding problems so far as the camp is not situated close to the river.
Lion Sands Game Reserve in Sabi Sand has also been unaffected so far. Ronnie Barrageiro, GM Lion Sands, said the only measures the lodge had taken was to escort guests to and from the lodge to make sure they were safe when travelling on the sand roads in the rain.
Comments (0)
Comments are closed