News

South African National Parks (SANParks) did an initial assessment on the maintenance of some of the roads in Kruger National Park as well as developments of infrastructure refurbishment. Infrastructure investment and roads maintenance are priorities that are considered critical factors in the enhancement of customer experience.

The refurbishment of infrastructure such as tourism facilities is an ongoing concern which was kick started in July 2022. Observations is that progress in this regard is steaming ahead and targeted to be near completion by June 2025. The current infrastructure refurbishment projects have created over 1 000 new jobs and continues to offer neighbouring SMME’s an opportunity to transact with the park, which bodes well for the development of our rural economy and good neighbourliness.

Facilities which have been refurbished and are complete and operational include:

• Letaba Shop
• Lower Sabie Petrol Station
• Upgrade of Sweni Trails Camp
• Several tourism units have gone through refurbishment at various camps and are completed e.g., Skukuza Wild Fig Guest House and Skukuza tourism units.
• The viewing deck at Skukuza Rest Camp which was impacted by termites.
• The restaurant viewing deck at Olifants Camp which was impacted by termites; and
• Construction of the Shingwedzi Restaurant Roof

Facilities which are still affected and under priority throughout the park this year include:

• Phalaborwa Wildlife Activity Hub (Phase 1B) which is 40% complete.
• Upgrading of staff accommodation at Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Satara, Malelane, Crocodile Bridge and Olifants Rest Camps as well as Phabeni K9 continues whilst the construction and upgrading of 20 staff housing at Skukuza is nearly completed.
• Shangoni Gate Development (Phase I) which includes the Shangoni Reception facility is at 65% construction including civil works.
• Repairing of the leaking and damaged thatch roofs at Shingwedzi and Mopani Rest Camps is in progress.

Regarding road maintenance, two graders that were purchased have been blading many of the gravel roads that are in poor condition. SANParks is in the process of finalising contracting of additional capacity of yellow metal equipment which is intended to meaningfully expand ability to routine maintain all gravel roads across Kruger National Park. Roads which have been bladed so far includes H2-2, S25, S28, S36, S139. S83, S84, S85, S34, S125, Tamboti and Maroela access roads, S106 and many more.

Roads targeted for grader blading in the next two weeks includes:

• S125, S37, S39, S89, S91, S92, S41, S100 and S90

Professional Engineering consultants have been appointed to undertake the structural designs of the bridges on the following roads damaged by floods:

• Road H4-1, between Skukuza and Lower Sabie Rest Camps
• Road H1-2, between Skukuza Rest camp and Tshokwane picnic spot

The consultant completed the assessment and concept designs of the above-mentioned works. Road repairs are prioritized based on the extent of usage by park visitors. Meaning that roads utilized most are given priority attention.