SANParks.org Forums

@Div,

Would love to see the pictures.

SANParks management urge all visitors to report 'rule breakers' as soon as possible if there are picture evidence it would be most helpful as we can then immediately take action against the culprits.

Thanks

Great idea!!

And if you have a REAL 4x4, you can bypass it.

Problem solved!

WeskusKlong...........ROFL ........... are you related to Tannie Elzet..(may I say her name )..........

As KG said, our KTP Chuck Norris not only thought he could get away with driving the 4x4 trail without a permit - he also thought he could get away with retrieving his vehicle whithout anybody noticing! When we found him alongside the road, he asked my SO to please help him and tow him out! SO ever helpful said, "No problem, do you have a tow rope?" - "No" was the reply! Now we had a tow rope but we were packed up to the hilt and headed for Nossob - And to get to our tow rope would have meant a bit of an "Unpack" on the side of the road - outside of our vehicle!. SO then decided that the better option was to make space in the back seat of the bakkie and take him back to TR.

I advised him to ask SANParks staff at TR for help, knowing that they would probably give him a fine or at least a warning. We never reported him as such but I made sure that when I saw a SANParks employee (Aubrey I think) at the Melkvlei Picnic Spot, I told him about the fact that this guy's vehicle was stuck in the 4x4 trail.......Turns out he managed to get somebody from the campsite to help him retrieve his vehicle, but not without SANParks finding him and dishing out the necessary punishment.

I have to add though, that he was also seen by two passing vehicles, as he was exiting the Leeuwdrill 4x4 road - they thought he was a poacher!! And reported him as well!

That boom looks like a excellant toy for lion teenagers. Just wonder if lions need to scan to pass through as well.

I always find the reason behind place names very interesting. Did anyone thought about the origin of name Leeuwdril. I think if the guy that drove the road illegially did meet up with the Leeuwdril lions the name might have change to Leeuwdubbeldril 2x4 route (Oops 4 x 4 route).

@ WK: I don't thing the gate is wide enough, and what about some spikes for those that ram the gate...?

PS: You were bored hey...?

Switchback, WeskusKlong great lateral thinking

Munchkin, what a start to your trip

I will admit to doing stupid things, usually in moments of distraction, but this is really deserving of the banana award of the year

Maybe you (or Munchkin) should start a thread for "banana of the year", MM. It is getting close to award time.

Lovely gates WK Blend in superbly.....

Just caught up on this one - My first thought was what a banana - so it definitely gets my vote for banana / muggins of the year. Sooooo glad he got found out and fined What a great world we would be living in if everyone just obeyed the rules!!

My input as a 'foreigner' comes down to two scenarios.

1. The chancer in a 2wd who thinks he can do it despite the warning.
2. The other chancer who HAS a 4WD but does not want to pay the fee.

The first one needs 'educating' the second needs hitting hard where it hurts.

Now as a visitor to wild places I do not want my vista spoiling by signs, sand traps, land mines or even a gibbet for offenders. I don't want to see a Ranger Car stationed permanently at 'black spots' either thanks!
So we are left with a warning and punishment and its got to fit the crime.
Shaw wrote "Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men."
Obviously those who deliberately disobey are "Fools" and must be treated as such. A simple heavy fine may do it but the ultimate sanction swiftly administered would be "SANParks are no place for Fools therefore this car and its driver now face a lifetime exclusion from ALL SAN parks!" Escort to Exit and Gate.
"Wise men and guidance!" They are the Senior Rangers who have to administer this in the interests of everyone else who happily complies..
Can you see the press headlines had anyone lost ther lives? It would not be "Some stoopid Oik died whilst being stupid!" it would be. "What on earth are SANParks doing letting innocent tourists get killed?" "The Government must ensure all tracks are tarred before other innocent lives are lost!"

Good luck in finding a resolution.

Well said Maxwell

I think to begin with one must realize that people visiting KTP are on the adventurous side - so quite possible the poor oak that decided to try his luck on the 4x4 loop did it on the spur of the moment and in hind site will be very sorry that he did so. Combine the adventurous type with an "I'm on holiday" attitude, add a bit of ignorance and you've got a potential problem. However I'm sure you will not see "sand traps, land mines or even a gibbet for offenders". Enjoy your visit!

I agree.
The poor Oik needs counselling about his misdemeanour and not pushing his luck but his actions may put lives at risk so good fine and talking too would probably work.
However the other scenario shows the guy deliberately and knowingly attempted to evade paying his fees and if permitted to get away with it, will do so again. He would be the type to try and get in the NP free if there was no one on the gate, abuse his campsite fees and a whole lot more.
People who deliberately abuse my hospitality are never asked back and the same should go with SANparks.
I was only kidding about the Gibbet. It might encourage scavengers. Just put their heads on a spike!

WeskusKlong.......I think you got it spot on. He was actually just a normal oke, and 'cos he had a brand new "Great Wheels Mi-china" bakkie, and it was his first visit to KTP, he decided to test his vehicle - and I agree, it was most probably a spur of the moment decision that he maybe now regrets. Let's not forget that he ended up spending the night in his bakkie - a very cold night - I don't think he had any food - he did however have a water container - and, after hours of not seeing anybody passing, he made the decision to walk out of the route the next day - not an easy decision! So, Mug of the Year maybe........but thankfully safe!!

Hi KG,

Here is a photo of the vehicle tracks leading up to the Lions at Kij Kij. Unfortunately we did not see the vehicle that caused this.