SANParks.org Forums

Thanks a lot Joep.

I called reservations this morning but unfortunately the whole park is fully booked, except 2 bed bungalows in Punda Maria. I took it even though I have to pay double now, but thats okay. At least I will still be in Kruger

I will also be able to collect clothing and blankets here in Holland to bring along in July, It's still a few months away, but as it's winter, I think they will be useful by then.

Kruger National Park (KNP) flood update as at 11:00 on 25 January 2013


The major change since previous update is the opening of Biyamiti Camp and access from both Crocodile Bridge and Malelane side. Access from Skukuza should be via H2-2 at Afsaal as the S114 is closed from Biyamiti Weir northwards. Crocodile Bridge has been inspected for structural integrity and is open for all vehicles.

Camps Open:

Berg- en- Dal, Biyamiti, Crocodile Bridge, Letaba, Lower Sabie , Malelane, Mopani (via Letaba only), Olifants, Orpen, Pretoriuskop, Punda Maria (only accessible from Punda Maria Gate – no internal access from KNP), Satara & Skukuza.
Camps Closed:

Bateleur (flooded & access),Balule (services), Boulders (access), Maroela (access), Roodewal (access), Shimuwini (partially flooded & access), Shingwedzi (major flood damage), Shipindane Hide (access), Sirheni, Sable Dam Hide, Talamati (partially flooded & access), Tamboti (fencing & access) & Tsendze.
Picnic Spots / Viewpoints:

Afsaal - Open
Albasini Ruins - Open
Babalala - Closed (access)
Bobbejaan Krans - Open
Crooks Corner - Closed
Eileen Orpen Memorial - Open
Gardenia Hide - Closed
Kanniedood Hide - Closed
Lake Panic Birdhide - Closed (access)
Makhadzi - Closed (access & flooded)
Masorini - Open
Matambeni Hide - Closed
Mathekeyane - Open
Mlondozi - Open
Mooiplaas - Open
Muzandzeni - Closed (flooded & access)
Nhlanguleni - Closed (access)
Nkuhlu - Open
Nkumbe - Open
Nthandanyathi Hide - Closed
Nwamanzi - Open
Nwanetsi - Open
Nyawutsi Hide - Closed
Olifants River viewpoint on S44 - Closed
Orpen Dam - Closed
Pafuri Picnic Spot - Closed (flooded & access)
Paul Kruger Tablets - Open
Pioneer Hide - Closed
Rabelais Museum - Open
Ratel Pan Hide - Closed
Redrocks - Closed
Sable Dam - Closed
Shibyatsangela - Closed
Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial - Closed
Sweni Hide - Closed
Timbavati - Closed (access)
Tshanga - Closed
Tshokwane - Closed (services)

Access Roads Inside the Park:

All tarred roads except the following, are open:

Skukuza to Pretoriuskop (H1-1) breach at Transport Dam.
Olifants River causeway at Balule is still closed.
Causeways over Sabie and Sand Rivers between Skukuza and Tshokwane (H1-2) still overflowing and closed. Guests to use alternative via H4-1 and H12.
Orpen to Satara (H7) breach over Phelwani River. S106 to be used as alternative.
Shingwedzi Camp and Day Visitor Site is not accessible to the public.
Shingwedzi to Punda Maria/Pafuri (H1-7) (Shingwedzi & Nkulumbeni bridges and water over road in various other areas).
Phalaborwa Gate to Mopani (H14)(Tsendze causeway).
Tshokwane to Lower Sabie has been reopened (causeway over Sabie River below camp has been cleared).
All gravel roads are closed except, S25, S139, S114 (south of Biyamiti Weir).

Gates Open:

Crocodile Bridge
Malelane
Orpen (only Orpen Camp can be accessed – not into the rest of Kruger)
Numbi
Phabeni
Phalaborwa
Punda Maria (only Punda Maria Camp can be accessed – not into the rest of Kruger)
Kruger
Giriyondo Border Post (4x4 vehicles only)

Gates Closed:

Pafuri
Pafuri Border Facility

Important Notes:

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.
Emergency Numbers:

Media enquiries: Reynold Thakhuli 073 373 4999 / Gabrielle Venter 082 696 4724

Tourist Enquiries: Lucy Nhlapo 082 908 4753/ Joep Stevens 082 802 8093

Just arrived back in UK after our north Kruger holiday adventure.
Our original itinerary was Olifants/Shimuwini/Sirheni/Pafuri….but needless to say it turned into chaos.
We were more intent on getting to our destinations than taking photos, but we’ve uploaded a few of the better ones to here, including a nice panorama of Luvuvhu taken from highest point at The Outpost.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86919635@N00/sets/72157632608282414/

I hope the moderators won’t mind me mentioning The Outpost…under such exceptional circumstances I hope the normal rules don’t apply.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks they deserve a big thank you.
For a few days everyone north of the Luvuvhu bridge was evacuated to there.
Guests and staff from Pafuri Camp, and also all the trainee guides and staff from the EcoTraining camp.
There was nowhere else to go, and no way out as the Pafuri gate road was also washed away.
We were able to leave on Tuesday, after they had worked out a 4x4 route through a flooded village at the place the road outside Pafuri gate was damaged.

This was one holiday that we’ll never forget!

I've split the Donations posts to their own topic here

Sable hide is open. Been there this morning. Saw 2 lions not 500m away from sable hide

Youtube snippet

Quite amazing pics!

My parents are due to travel from the UK to Kruger in February and staying at Mopani then onto Punda Maria and then to Letaba, but are concerned to hear only access to Punda Maria via gate and no access within Kruger, it sounds to be rather cut off, do we know when the roads are likely to be repaired or should they consider re-arranging camps?

Our thoughts and prayers to to all concerned at Shingwedsi and Pafuri

Hi
I weould suggest they contact Parks Board in Pretoria XX27124289111 I am sure they will give good advice. The North is badly damaged and the Kruger are doing amazing work. Hope you are suucesful.

More updates on the road openings in KNP

The major change since previous update is the opening of some gravel roads in the Marula Region.

Dear SarahStu,

Many thanks for the pics of your most memorable Kruger visit, they provide a great account of the happening regarding your visit. Would it be possible to obtain full size copies for our record? These pics are archived under the name of the photographer and if used at all, the photographer will be ackniowledged.

With kind regards.

JOEP STEVENS (joep.stevens@sanparks.org)

Hi Bert, there seems to be an error loading that utube video. ( tried twice )

Hi Kite, it seems to load perfectly for me!

Pafuri Camp closed for the rest of 2013, if not longer.

Johan

Very sad news Johan!