Gate hours & late arrival

[homer.s]

hi thanks!

I understand that i will need escort to the camp - and that there is a fee involved.

Do I just arrive at the gate and its ok and ill have escort to the camp - or do i have to inform the gate or camp in advance for such escort...?

thanks again!

[threedogs]

homer.s - last year we needed an escort from Malelane gate to Berg n Dal after gate closing time. It is best to ring in advance an hour or so before arrival if you can. Tel: +27 (0)13 735 6106/7 .

[sirenada]

Hello
If we arrive late after gate closure and get an escort to the camp - how much costs the escort?
Do we need to pay the conservation fee on this day?
Thank you,
Anda

[Stark]

A fee and normal conservation fee schedules apply.

[carolv]

We have just learned that the day we fly out to RSA, there will be another strike by the Air Traffic Controllers in France and the UK to RSA flights all will be affected. We trust our flights (there are a group of 18 of us on 2 different flights) will not know until we arrive at O R Tambo what our situation will be. My friend and I were alreadsy due to land 2 hours later than the rest and we planned to catch up with them by the time we arrive at Malelane Gate before driving up to Berg en Dahl camp for our first night. My question is...at what stage would we need to ring either the Gate or BnD to say we may need an escort to camp. Obviously we are praying this will not actually happen but with such a large group, some of whom have never been before, we would like them to have all the necessary info just in case. We will be in 5 separate vehicles also. What is the current fee for a late escort...is it still 200 Rand per car? Can someone also confirm the correct number to ring. Reading through past notes I noted the BnD Duty Manager is 082802 1201 (presumably +27 as we will all have UK mobiles with us) and a Gate number of +27 (0) 137356106/7.

Many thanks

Carolv

[Goggo EJ]

The gate number is 013 735 6152. The BnD number is correct.

As soon as you see you are likely to be late give them a call, you will probably have a good idea when you have got your cars and are ready to get on the road. The best is the camp number, but if you cannot get them then try the gate. Rather call and find you do not need an escort than have to ask at the last minute. They will already know about flight problems so will be expecting some calls I suspect!

I am not sure about the cost at the moment, but will try to find out for you.

[pviral]

Hello All,

I will be visiting KNP in September and will start driving from JNB at 11 AM.

I do know gate closes at 6PM and want to know how can I notify Paul Kruger Gate and Skukuza Gate authority about my late arrival. Do they have email address or I need to call them?

Currently Google Maps shows 5 hrs drive from JNB to KNP so without break/traffic/etc I should be there by 4:30-5:30PM but that doesn't seem realistic and it close to gate closing time.

Any suggestions?


Thanks

[Elsa]

Take down the camp and gate # and give them a call when /if you know you are going to be late and they will arrange an escort for you.

[comfydenim]

Hi all,

I will be landing in Nelspruit on October 14 at 4:15 pm where I'll be renting a car for travel to Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp. I understand that the gates will be closing at 6pm on that date. I have reservations for thathe optionst date, however it's doubtful that I can arrive before the 6pm closing time. Are late arrivals accepted if I arrive, say, at 7 pm?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Rene

[MATTHYS]

Welcome to the forums, Comfydenim and wishing you a wonderful time in KNP.

Please see Late Arrivals on this page :

Late arrivals are only allowed in cases of emergency (proof and valid reason required) until 21:00 for guests with pre-booked accommodation at certain camps within 10km distance from the relevant gate. An extra late arrival fee will be charged which is payable at the gate. No late arrivals are allowed at Pafuri, Phalaborwa or Phabeni Gates or any other gates for camps more than 10km away.

Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp is less than 10km from the gate, so I think you should be able to arrange a late entry.

[Jon Henrik Gilhuus]

Planning on staying outside the park, in Hazyview from June 28 - July 4 this year. As I understand it, South Africa has school holidays at this time, so I'm pondering getting a booking for these days. However, I'm also pretty sure I'm going to be at the gates (Phabeni and/or Numbi) at 6am each day, rearing to go... so I guess my question is: Do I need a booking to get in?

Also, are there any updates regarding situations where, through no fault of your own, you don't make it out of the park on time? Theoretically, if darkness falls and you're still an hour away from human habitation, is it better to stop the car and spend the night on the roadside or to drive in the dark till you come to a camp?

[Goggo EJ]

The rules about being in a camp or out of the park gates by closing time are very strict, and you will be fined if you are late. You must keep a watch on time! Buy a map book, or use a GPS to help you with this. Nobody is allowed to just stop on the road and spend the night!

As far as making a booking for a day visit is concerned, it is difficult to advise you. Sometimes being early (in the queue at gate opening time) is fine, other times, especially on public holidays or at weekends, you may even have trouble then. Up to 80% of day visitors can prebook so that does not leave many spaces left for unbooked visitors.

[Elsa]

However, I'm also pretty sure I'm going to be at the gates (Phabeni and/or Numbi) at 6am each day, rearing to go... so I guess my question is: Do I need a booking to get in?

Jon, my advice to you would be to get to the gate earlier than 6am each day in holiday season to avoid being at the back of a long queue.
If you do decide to do Advanced Bookings for Day Visitors
Please do heed the advice from Goggo EJ re the strict camp gate times for your own safety and to ensure you are not late and liable for a fine.

[Jon Henrik Gilhuus]

Yeah, I'm absolutely planning on making the gates on time!

But I've read too many stories on this very forum on everything that might befall tourists, from elephant heards to flat tires, to know that even with the best of planning and the best of intentions, shit sometimes does happen. To summarize, then - your advice is to drive (carefully) to a camp or a gate and just plead my case, backed up by video if possible, and in the end accept whatever fine is imposed.

[Goggo EJ]

A reasonable safe plan is to have 30mins in hand. You can always take the last little bit slower if you want, or just park up near camp or gate for a while and enjoy the bush around you.