More rain is expected in Kruger. (@SANParks via Twitter)
- Guests in parts of the Kruger National Park were evacuated on Saturday morning.
- Heavy rain reached parts of the park on Friday and is expected to last through next weekend.
- No injuries or deaths were reported.
SANParks began evacuating guests at its Kruger National Park (KNP) on Saturday, who were staying at Lower Sabie, Talamati, Crocodile Bridge and Biyamiti camps after reports from the South African Meteorological Services that they are expected to fall More rain in the next week.
Various parts of the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga started receiving heavy rain on Friday and the inclement weather is expected to last until next Friday.
Guests with available safe passage out of the park were safely removed from the campsites as this is an evacuation route and no guests will be allowed to travel to those campgrounds.
KNP managing executive Oscar Mthimkhulu said no injuries or deaths were reported, however a tourist vehicle on Friday got stuck in water on one of the park’s bridges.
“Once again, we would like to urge guests not to attempt to cross any overflowing bridges as the dangers of being washed away remain high. Guests are advised not to open or travel on any roads that has been closed and that they do not use gravel road,” said Mthimkhulu.
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Disaster management teams in the park and external stakeholders are on high alert and monitoring the impact of this rain.
As a precaution, crews have closed gravel roads in the south and marked campsites since heavy rain began to fall on Wednesday.
“SANParks said emergency teams are also closely monitoring the situation in the northern part of the park as rivers have also started to rise in various parts of Limpopo province,” Mthimkhulu added.
The Park said all campgrounds are open except for Lower Sabie, Biyamiti, Crocodile Bridge and Talamati.
Doors/ Ports of Entry
- All doors and ports of entry are open except Crocodile Bridge.
Access roads within the park, all paved roads are open except:
- The route directly from Lower Sabie to Skukuza that remains inaccessible
- The route between Satara and Skukuza has been restored and is operational.
- The water flowing towards the Lonely Bull Bridge is rising; the paved road between Phalaborwa and Mopani will be affected; Please Be Careful
The Park said that tourists should be very careful during this period and call the emergency number for any assistance only at 076 801 9679 or 013 735 0197/4064.
“We will also continue to update the public via major social media platforms to ensure guests are informed. We encourage those who have access to social media platforms to also help by posting valuable updates on SANParks – the SANParks Facebook group. Kruger National Park. ”, concluded Mthimkhulu.
