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Hi All,
This year we will be staying just outside the Crocodile Bridge entrance for 4 of our 16 days in KNP and using it twice a day to enter and exit, I have never entered through this entrance but have seen pictures of it closed due to flooding, is gate closure at CB something to be concerned about in February?
Cheers

Hi Shutterbug
Not anymore
(under normal circumstances)

There is a new bridge which is higher than the old one which used to go under flood water.

As everyone above mentioned there is a new bridge and there should t be a problem here is a pick I took in June of the new bridge Enjoy your trip

I would think the new bridge would only be closed in exceptional circumstances of prolonged heavy rains now.

Ok great, thanks everyone... OMG I am soooo excited, 45 days to go

Yikes... who would have thought we would have this 30 days after my concerns about CB access to Kruger


(This image is thanks to nannieve)

This definitely applies now. Who would have thought?
However, I haven't heard that the bridge collapsed etc, so, holding thumbs, it should be opened again once the flood waters have subsided. Which would mean that you could maybe use it in February.
Not like in 2000 when they had to rebuild it and it was only reopened much, much later.
If I understand correctly it was built to be able to withstand floods of this nature. Holding thumbs.

Will also be in the park in a week's time and I will monitor the situation closely as well.

These are the exceptional rains that I think everyone was hoping not to have!
Now we just have to see how much damage the bridge will have sustained when the waters recede.

Exceptional is the correct word, sheeeesh....
My buddy (who shall remain nameless) works in Kruger and had a bit of an "experience" today, his wife just sent me this email...

We are having a flood like 2000 again. Bad day this side (my nameless friend) went to work and the Olifants river came down he was in the bush and didn't know the next thing he saw was just water and more water!

He got out of the vehicle just in time the Olifants river took the vehicle (bakkie) down with the stream!

He had to walk 3km`s to the road to get someone to help but a Buffalo charged him asswell!

Luckely he got a tree and could hide. He got the Ranger of the area and they helped him! He couldn't come home goes no wheels and the road was closed and flooded by the river!

I spoke to him a hour back he's save and the Army Helikopter will fly him back tomorrow morning the weather was too bad tonight couldn't fly back!


mel123,
I would really appreciate it you could give us an update when you get back, hope you have an awesome time.

I reckon it is a concern at the moment

Like everyone has said "Exceptional".

Don't bet on it Shutterbug, you might just be getting a bit less sleep and using Malelane instead.

Let's see when/if the water subsides.

A year later now.

I would be interested to know if the 'new' bridge has stood the test of another flood this year.

Would a kind soul please post some pics if you go there soon.

Thanks.

It was still well under water last report, lets hope it has stood the test of time and water again!

As it happens I know the engineer who designed this new bridge, I can assure you it would stand the test of time IF it was built as designed. It was however designed to withstand a specific size of flood, if I can put it that way, and as such somewhere in the future it will fail again which won't be the engineer's fault. Money dictates to what engineering standard and specification one can design such a bridge. In an ideal world you would rather want a proper bridge there which are designed to withstand a 1 in 50 year flood rather than a low water bridge for example. This new bridge has not let us down yet though :-).