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30 September 2022

Fire Season at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The previous spring and summer seasons in the Kalahari Region were characterised by above-normal rainfall for two consecutive years. This resulted in a Kgalagadi like you seldom have seen. Lush and green everywhere and an abundance of grass. Although good rains are always cherished in the Kalahari, with them comes natural processes that may seem devastating to us as humans but is actually just another natural process. Fire is one of those natural processes with a very important ecological function and if not caused by man-made influences, it is normally started by lightning, which most often is the cause of veld fires this time of the year. Fires rejuvenate the veld (vegetation) by promoting new growth, recycling nutrients back into the soil, assisting with the germination of seeds and reducing parasite loads and can therefore have a positive effect on the veld. In certain areas, it will even promote the migration of animals as they move to these areas affected by fires and graze on the fresh grass shoots that will grow after such fires.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is managing fires in terms of an approved Park Management Plan. It is also managed in such a way as to keep all systems as natural as possible with little as possible human interference.

Fire breaks are maintained around park infrastructure to safeguard property and ensure the safety of our guests and staff. Fires that are not endangering infrastructure or people are normally left to run their course while fires burning close to the park’s boundary will be controlled where possible, so as to prevent the fires from exiting the park.

The size of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park allows for animals to move freely in the almost open park system and larger animals are able to avoid and move away from veld fires.

The current fires are monitored by Kagalagadi staff and are at the moment not a threat to any of our visitors.

If guests notice any fires please report those fires to the nearest camp.

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks) Arid Region

Enquiries

Genevieve Maasdorp
Communications Manager: Arid Region, SANParks
Tel: 054 338 0600