A number of roads and camps in the Kruger National Park have been closed due to heavy rains and flooding in Mpumulanga and Limpopo. The Kruger floods began after heavy rainfall over the weekend.
While not quite as severe as the the floods of 2012 (the worst the park had seen in 10 years), several camps, roads and picnic sites have once again been closed.
Kruger Sightings posted this video, captured by visitors to the park, of the latest floods in Kruger which also caused a troop of baboons to have to swim to safety.
Latest update from SANParks on Kruger floods
Road closures
• All gravel roads in the southern section of the park
• Crocodile Bridge closed
• S60 Road between Punda and Pafuri – tar road can be used
• Skukuza is only accessible through Phabeni and Kruger Gate or from the north of the park
• Lower Sabie is accessible through Phabeni and Kruger Gate or from the north of the park
• H1/1 Road between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza Closed. Pretoriuskop only accessible from Numbi Gate.
• Talamati low water bridge is flooded.
• H14 closed – guests going to Mopnai are advised to use Phalaborwa / Letaba then Mopani
• H10 closed between Lower Sabie and Tshokwane
• The main bridge to Skukuza on the H2 Nwa’Tshitsaka water has subsided vehicles can cross over
• OPENED: H3 road between Skukuza and Malelane – enter through Malelane to access Berg-en-Dal
Camp closures
• Talamati Bush Camp (inaccessible)
• Biyamiti Bush Camp (inaccessible)
As a safety precaution the following three additional facilities have been closed:
• Shimuwini
• Bateleur
• Sirheni
• Balule
• The rest of Kruger National Park’s main camps are not affected and still accessible.
Visitors who were overnighting in the camps that are now closed have been evacuated to other camps within the park, according to SANParks Media Specialist Ike Phaahla. Travellers holding existing reservations for these camps are requested to contact reservations on +27 (12) 428-9111 to make alternative arrangements. For any Emergencies call +27 (13) 735-4029.
River update
• Limpopo river in flood
• Letaba river 50% high
• Levuvhu river 50% high
• Crocodile river in Flood
Picnic sites
• A full assessment on picnic sites is being conducted, but currently only Nkuhlu Picnic site has been closed
For more information call the park’s central reservation on +27 (12) 428-9111 or the emergency number, +27 (13) 735-4029
More news, stories and updates from Kruger National Park here. Follow SANParks on Twitter for latest updates.
Related: News24: safari vehicle swept away by river in Limpopo find help from an unlikely source
