Google’s Flood Hub has issued a warning for what is “likely to be an extensive and rare flood event” affecting the Kruger National Park (KNP) and surrounding areas, that could result in the highest water levels experienced in almost 50 years.
The warning is in place for the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, parts of Southern Mozambique and Zimbabwe, Eswatini and the Central District of Botswana.
An “extreme risk” warning – Google’s highest risk warning – is in place for the Sabie River and surrounding areas within the park. The Skukuza and Lower Sabie Rest Camps, together with luxury lodges in the adjacent Sabi Sands private reserve, are located along the river. Google predicts that water levels may reach their highest in 46 years, surpassing those recorded during the devastating floods wrought by Cyclone Eline in 2000.
SANParks Acting Head of Communications Reynold Thakhuli urged tourists to avoid gravel roads and low-lying bridges during floods.
“We further advise tourists to phone the camps they are planning to stay at ahead of time to enquire about accessibility and weather conditions,” said Thakhuli, adding that the park’s Disaster Management Team is on standby to respond to any incidents.
“We will be monitoring the situation closely and issuing daily updates on all our platforms,” said Thakhuli.
The forecast follows a month of heavy rainfall in December 2025 when many gravel roads inside the park were closed and low-water bridges became unsafe to cross.
Click here to stay up to date on the severe flood warning from Google’s Flood Hub.
