To ensure that visitors have the best possible experience when visiting the Kruger National Park over the festive season, starting December 13, South African National Parks (SANParks) has alerted all day visitors that daily quotas will once again apply at the entrance gates.
Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival. There are three time slots that visitors can choose from:
- Time slot one: 05h30 to 07h30.
- Time slot two: 07h30 to 09h30.
- Time slot three: 09h30 onwards.
“For busy periods such as the school holidays and festive season, we aim to better manage the volumes that we expect, as well as our visitors’ expectations. The three different time slots are aimed at improving the spread of vehicles and, as far as possible, prevent unnecessary waiting periods at gates,” said Ike Phaahla, KNP GM: Communications and Marketing.
The day visitor quota for the park is a management tool to prevent overcrowding the roads and facilities, and is applied throughout the year, although during busy times, KNP frequently reaches capacity, resulting in visitors being turned away. Visitors will be able to book up to 80% of their day visitor quota per gate via SANParks Reservations offices and 
.
Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate, but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot will be regarded as non-booked, and therefore will not receive preference and risk the possibility of being turned away. These bookings can be changed as well through SANParks Reservations offices if need be.
Phaahla also reminded visitors to read the permit that they receive at the gates because the park’s rules and regulations are clearly stipulated on these documents. “Day visitors may not bring liquor as a result of the alcohol ban in public areas of the park. Further, visitors must please also refrain from committing other infringements such as littering, speeding and alighting from vehicles in places where this is prohibited. These and other park rules are emphasised to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience, while not impacting other visitors, and hence must be adhered to at all times whilst in the park. Visitor management vehicles will also be on patrol; providing information to guests, visibility on the roads and law enforcement in the park,” he advised.
Visitors can report any infringement of rules and regulations that they witness, to the Emergency Call Centre numbers 013 735 4064/013 735 0197/076 801 9679. It is, however, important that the following information is provided:
- Vehicle type and colour.
- Vehicle registration.
- Date and time of incident.
- Satsa sticker showing vehicle number (for Open Safari Vehicles).
- Details of incident.
- Photographic evidence.
- Location of incident.
“We also advise guests to exercise caution when driving around areas undergoing construction, such as Skukuza Camp, to avoid unnecessary accidents”, concluded Phaahla.
Other important information visitors should take note of include:
- Day visitor pre-bookings are subject to a non-refundable fee of R43 (€2.64) per adult and R22 (€1.35) per child.
- Day visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay conservation fees. For international guests, standard conservation fees of R372 (€22.83) are applicable for adults and R186 (€11.42) for children.
- The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
- All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (SA driver’s licence, ID or passport).
- Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they have paid for the annual operating permit and are authorised to enter external gates 15 minutes before opening time to ensure fair distribution/flow of traffic.
- Gate quotas will be strictly applied, and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry.
