Kruger reopens after rains

Kruger National Park

Skukuza – A number of camps, picnic spots and roads in the Kruger National Park have been re-opened following their closure during the heavy rains that saw a number of tourists being airlifted to safety.

South African National Parks spokesman Reynold Thakhuli said camps that have been opened include Berg-en-Dal, Crocodile Bridge, Letaba, Lower Sabie, Malelane and Mopani (via Letaba only), Olifants, Orpen (only accessible from Orpen Gate – no internal access from KNP), Pretoriuskop, Punda Maria (only accessible from Punda Maria Gate – no internal access from KNP) and Skukuza.

“Guests are kindly urged to use water sparingly as camps, gates and picnic spots in many areas operate on emergency pumps and boreholes with limited capacity,” said Thakhuli on Wednesday.

Picnic spots that are open include Afsaal, Masorini, Nkuhlu, Nwanetsi and Tshokwane. Those that are closed include Balalala, Makhadzi, Mlondozi, Muzandzeni, Nhlanguleni, Pafuri and Timbavati.

Thakhuli said the camps that are still closed include Bateleur, Balule, Biyamiti, Maroela, Roodewal, Shimuwini, Shingwedzi, Shipindane Hide, Sirheni, Sable Dam Hide, Talamati, Tamboti and Tsendze.

He said all roads are opened except Skukuza to Pretoriuskop, Olifants River causeway at Balule, causeways over Sabie and Sand Rivers between Skukuza and Tshokwane.

Others include Orpen to Satara breach over Phelwani River, Shingwedzi Camp and Day Visitor Site.

“All gravel roads are closed,” said Thakhuli.

Thakhuli said the gates that are opened include Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Orpen, Numbi, Phabeni, Phalaborwa, Punda Maria, Kruger and Giriyondo Border Post, which can only accommodate 4×4.