News

The Kruger National Park Management (KNP) is urging visitors to be aware of gate quotas that will be in effect this coming Easter long weekend. This is done to ensure that all guests have an amazing experience during their visit to the Park. To ensure effective visitor management, Day Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival. There are three time slots form which they can choose:

• Time slot 1: 06.00 to 08:00
• Time slot 2: 08:00 to 10:00
• Time slot 3: 10:00 onwards

“Easter holidays are one of our busiest periods especially for day visitors, we, therefore, aim to better manage the expected volumes so we can also cater to our visitors’ expectations as well. The three different time slots are aimed at improving the spread of vehicles and, as far as possible prevent unnecessary waiting periods at gates,” said the KNP’s GM: Communications and Marketing, Ike Phaahla.

The Day Visitor Quota for the Park is a management tool to prevent overcrowding the roads and facilities and is applied throughout the year although we mostly reach carrying capacity during long weekends and school holidays resulting in us having to turn visitors away. Visitors will be able to book up to 80% of Day Visitor Quota per gate via SANParks Reservations offices and online at www.sanparks.org.

Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away. These bookings can be changed through SANParks Reservations offices if need be.

Phaahla also reminded visitors to read the permit which they receive at the gates because all the rules and regulations of the park are clearly stipulated on these documents. “Day visitors may not bring liquor as a result of the alcohol ban in public areas of the Park. Further, visitors must please also refrain from committing other infringements such as littering, speeding and alighting from vehicles in places where this is prohibited in the Park. These and other Park rules are emphasized to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience, while not impacting other visitors, and hence must be adhered to at all times whilst in the Park. Visitor Management vehicles will also be on patrol; providing information to guests, visibility on the roads and law enforcement in the Park. I would also like to emphasize that we strictly prohibit the use of drones inside that park,” he advised.

Visitors can report any rules and regulations infringements to the Emergency Call Centre numbers 013 735 4064/013 735 0197/076 801 9679. It is however important that the following information is provided:

• Vehicle type and colour
• Vehicle registration
• Date and Time of Incident
• SATSA sticker showing vehicle number (for Open Safari Vehicles)
• Details of Incident
• Photographic evidence
• Location of incident

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Day Visitor pre-bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R43 per adult and R22 per child.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter the Park. The Conservation Fee for SA residents as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R93 per adult and R47 per child (between ages 2 – 11). For nationals of Eswatini (previously Swaziland) and other SADC countries, the conservation fees are R186 per adult and R93 per child. For all other guests, the standard conservation fees of R372 for adults and R186 for children applies
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure the membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild_new/.
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver’s license, identity document or passport); please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.
• Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they have paid for the annual operating permit and are authorised to enter external gates 15 minutes before opening time to ensure fair distribution/flow of traffic.
• Gate Quotas will be strictly applied and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry.

Guests are encouraged to continuously provide feedback on their experience to [email protected].

Issued By

South African National Parks – Kruger National Park

Media Enquiries

Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications and Marketing, KNP
Tel: 013 735 4363; Cell 083 673 6974
Email: [email protected]