New guards boost security in the KNP

[DinkyBird]

It is really nice to be greeted by smart men and woman in the green SANParks uniform at the gates. And to be searched. While at Croc Bridge I had to wonder how long before someone complains about waiting in the queue to exit the park while the searches take place.

Pics taken with permission.




Camp gates are also now monitored by SANParks.

[squirrel_asc]

What exactly does "searching the vehicle" involve? Do they go through all your luggage?

[isinkwe]

Is there a limit to what "supplies" can be brought into the park in a trailer/caravan?;)Our trailer is like a Makro on wheels;)

The only limiting factor would be the size of your trailer I would imagine, I take enough stuff in my van to be self sufficient for at least 2 weeks for 4 adults, includes wood and charcoal, even take a pot to make my own bread

[Albert]

Great - this is fantastic!

Just one small silly question - those of us who visit and camp in a caravan, will the guards want to check inside the van? 'Cos that could cause a bit of a traffic jam - knowing how some vans are packed

Yup, that's why I was also wondering what exactly "searching the vehicle" involves. With several camera bags, clothing, cooler, fridge, picnic cutlery for breakfasts, crate for miscellaneous "stuff", etc, etc, it takes us about 30 minutes to load the car when we leave. It they make us unpack all of that at the gate, well, let's just say you don't want to be behind us in the queue!

From our experience two weeks ago, they just want to have a look at the luggage area/boot of the car. No bags are opened etc. I guess they could ask to you to open bags? Not sure what the legal issues are regarding this.

[annevdw]

Interested to read that most of the comments are positive! However- 2 points I must mention:
1. On Tuesday last week, I entered at Paul Kruger Gate at the same time as a traffic official from nearby Hazyview.I greeted him (as I know him) and he told me he was going to Skukuza to "jiga jiga" (have some fun!!!) He entered the park on unofficial business in an official vehicle- paid no entrance fee and was not searched!
2. I was in the park on Saturday- taking visitors from Gauteng- our car was searched on entering. When we left through Phabeni gate, I asked the young female guard what they were looking for with the mirror... to which she replied "Springbuck" seriously... I was not aware that we could see Springbuck in Kruger???? Furthermore- my boot was not searched at all!
Lets be consistent!

[bushguy]

I'm sure she was just tired of being asked , so came up with an obscure answer. It is however a bit of a concern that they are checking under the vehicle (which is easy to do!) but not inside which is a bit more difficult!

Having said that this is all conjecture and as I wasn't there I cannot comment.

Hopefully they will also learn and be able to "profile" when to do a complete search and when not. I know it is never 100% accurate to do that, but one needs to be practical (time efficient) and still have a good chance of catching the perps!

[onewithnature]

When we entered through Phalaborwa Gate, they checked under the vehicle with mirrors; which I was happy about. However, when we exited via Paul Kruger Gate, a cursory glance through one of the car windows was all that the guards did; this despite us having a full boot and trailer, neither of which they asked to search. Surely I could have been transporting illegal goods out of the Park? So, I made my point by insisting that they look into our concealed areas, which was met by a smile or two and only another cursory glance. I feel that the presence of the guards is excellent, but that their usefulness will be exponentially increased if they checked thoroughly.

[tent dweller]

We entered the park through the Phalaborwa gate, we were on high alert thinking that the "new guards" will be searching vehicles/trailers etc, well we were wrong, they didn't even give us a second glance, they did not ask us any questions, they did not look in our car or under our car, they sort of looked at our booking in papers, they did nothing, the boom was up and we drove through.

[Crested Val]

We must just look dishonest, because the Phala guards always check us out thoroughly.
It's nice to see they also have sniffer dogs now, who give the cars a thorough "sniff" before letting cars into the park.

[harrys]

Well done Sanparks......now that's how you prevent crime and other criminal activities in Kruger

[ockiev]

We entered the park through Malelane gate, we were also thinking that the "new guards" will be searching vehicles/trailers etc, well we were wrong, they didn't even ask us any questions, did not look in our car or under our car, the only thing they were interested was our booking in papers, they did nothing, the boom went up and we drove through. When exiting the park through the same gate the same response from the guards, they did nothing.

[Soft Top]

We had very different experiences to most of you in relation to the guards. Maybe being day visitors is different but we were pretty thoroughly searched at each gate.

We were going in and out through Kruger, Numbi and Phabeni and were always checked at each gate both going in and out of the park. They always had a look in the boot and usually under the boot floor as well as checking the cooler each time we went in and occasionally on the way out!

At one point we were starting to get a bit ratty after the third time the car was gone over on our way in through Kruger gate. We were searched when we got to the gate and parked up to do paperwork, then again by another guard whilst I was waiting on my wife coming back from the toilets and then an Honorary ranger manning, (well womanning the boom gate), searched us again. Each time looking through the windows to the back seat and then asking to check the cooler and also checking the boot as well as under the carpet. Very thorough.

I have to add that everyone was very pleasant and friendly to deal with during all of these processes which makes for a pleasant experience.

[E Orix]

If even checking one in ten vehicles happen at least it should worry someone trying to do the wrong thing.
They may be thinking that they could be the 10th.
While it is not Kruger,when I travel in parts of Sth East Asia you can have your car searched inside and
under(mirror) to gain entry into a shopping malls car park or your hotel.
Sadly 95% of the people suffer because of that 5% who just don't do the right thing.
Finally and sadly there are too many prople living on your continent who don't realise the value
of you marvelous wildlife.

[Tieger]

In the newspapers this morning.
This is not good news for our Rhinos. But good news for the poachers.
“SANParks early termination of a contract with Pathfinder Corp headed by Marius Roos, a colonel in the South African Army Reserve Force. Pathfinder held the security contract for SANParks and was involved in the collection of *** poaching information. According to the SAPA report Thakuli refused to comment further in this regard.”

[Elsa]

Please note there is already a discussion and topic for this Here and any further posts in this regard are to be directed there.
Thanks.