Kruger National Park Road Closures

[Richprins]

[Richprins]

MEDIA UPDATE - SANParks ON ALERT AS MORE RAIN IS EXPECTED TO FALL
Ref: 9/2/2-23-GKL/ KNP
Saturday, 11 February 2023
MEDIA RELEASE (RAIN2023)
For Immediate Release
SANParks ON ALERT AS MORE RAIN IS EXPECTED TO FALL
According to reports from the South African Weather Services, various parts of the Kruger National Park (KNP), will continue to receive rainfall as from Friday, 10 February until Friday, 17 February 2023. Disaster management teams in the park and external role players are on alert and monitoring the impact of this rainfall.
Evacuation operation is underway to assist guests who were staying at Lower Sabie, Talamati, Crocodile Bridge and Biyamiti with available safe passage out of the park. This is an evacuation route, and no guests will be able to travel through to those camps. Guests with bookings at affected camps are advised to amend their dates through Central Reservations number 012 428 9111.
Although there were no injuries or fatalities, there was an incident yesterday wherein a tourist vehicle got stuck in the water at one of the bridges in the Park.
“We would like to once again urge guests not to attempt to cross any bridges that are overflowing as the dangers of being washed away remain high. Guests are further advised not to open or travel on any roads which have been closed and not to use gravel road. As a precautionary measure, the teams have closed gravel roads in the south as well as flagged camps (Talamati, Lower Sabie, Crocodile Bridge and Biyamiti) since the fall of heavy rains in the evening of 8 February 2023. Meanwhile emergency teams are also closely monitoring the situation in the northern part of the park as rivers have also started rising in various parts of Limpopo Province,” said the KNP Managing Executive, Oscar Mthimkhulu.
Camps/ Lodges
All are open except Lower Sabie, Biyamiti, Crocodile Bridge and Talamati.
Gates/ Ports of Entry
All Gates and Ports of Entry are open except Crocodile Bridge.
Access roads inside the park
All tarred roads are open except:
The route directly from Lower Sabie to Skukuza which remains inaccessible
The route between Satara and Skukuza has been restored and is operational.
The water flowing into the Lonely bull bridge is rising; the tar road between Phalaborwa and Mopani will be affected; please be cautious.
“We request tourists to be extra cautious during this period and to call our emergency number for any assistance only on 076 801 9679 or 013 735 0197/4064. We will also continue to update the public through mainstream as well as social media platforms in order to ensure guests are informed. We encourage those who have access to social media platforms to also assist by posting valuable updates on SANParks – Kruger National Park Facebook group,” concluded Mthimkhulu.
****Ends****

[Richprins]

Rainfall for KNP measured this morning (10/2):
Malelane - 278mm
Stolsnek - 275mm
Pretoriuskop - 67mm
Skukuza - 180mm
Lower Sabie - 168mm
Croc Bridge - 106mm
Tshokwane - 300mm (in 10 hr period)
Nwanetsi - 42mm
Satara - 56mm
Houtboschrand - 12mm
Kingfisherspruit - 80mm
Phalaborwa - 56mm
Letaba - 5mm
Olifants - 36mm
Mooiplaas - 16mm
Mahlangeni - 6mm
Shingwedzi - 13mm
Woodlands - 60mm
Shangoni - 63mm
Vlakteplaas - 14mm
Punda Maria - 13mm
Pafuri - 0mm

[Lisbeth]

The south has got a lot of rain

[Richprins]

14m

Kruger Roads Alert
All roads in the South of the park are currently closed. River levels are rapidly rising and it is advisable to stay indoors. Disaster Management is on High alert. Please note ALL ROADS ARE CLOSED.

[Lisbeth]

[Richprins]

Kruger Flood Update
February 18: 9:30 SAST
For all guests with confirmed reservations at Lower Sabie, Crocodile Bridge, Biyamiti, Talamati and Sable Hide, please note that the camps and hide remain closed until 20th February 2023.
The following options are available:
• Credit on Hold – Guests may request for their reservation amounts to be transferred to their credit on hold for usage at a later date.
• Booking amendments – Guests may amend their bookings for later dates at their convenience.
• Alternatively, guests can enquire about alternative accommodation at non-affected camps in the Kruger National Park for this period subject to availability.

[Lisbeth]

This is really serious

[Lisbeth]

[Richprins]

LATEST UPDATE 21st Feb
Kruger Floods Update
21 February 2023- 09:30am SAST
Kruger National Park Management is happy to announce that the following camps are now open:
Talamati Bushveld Camp- Access is from Orpen on S140 or from Satara on S36 then S145 from the east.
Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie: Both camps are open from today 21 Feb 2023 for guests.
Please note that access and exit for Lower Sabie is only via Crocodile Bridge Gate. The main tar road H4-1 between Skukuza and Lower Sabie remains closed.
Satara is NOT accessible from Lower Sabie until the bridge at Lower Sabie Rest Camp is cleared and safe.
All gravel roads in the south of the KNP are still closed, except for S3 between Numbi Gate and Phabeni Gate S1 and H1-1. The teams are busy with repairs on all gravel roads.
Sable Hide remains closed until 06 March 2023
Biyamiti Bushvel Camp remains closed until 27 March 2023.
For all guests with confirmed bookings at Biyamiti Bushveld Camp and Sable Hide, please note that the following options remain available:
• Credit on Hold – Guests may request for their reservation amounts to be transferred to their credit on hold for usage at a later date.
• Booking amendments – Guests may amend their bookings for later dates at their convenience.
• Alternatively, guests can enquire about alternative accommodation at non-affected camps in the Kruger National Park for this period subject to availability.