There may be some relief from the floods as Kruger National Park’s mid-term weather forecasts show intermittent rain in some areas, along with drying out conditions in other regions.
The park’s disaster management teams continue to remain on high alert.
KNP relies on the official impact-based rainfall forecasts generated by the South African Weather Service for forward planning, and these new impact-based forecasts have assisted SANParks to be proactive and pre-emptive in its planning.
“We appeal for patience and co-operation from tour operators, tourists and drivers within the KNP during this period to minimise any risk to human life and infrastructure. We are trying our level best to open passages for visitors to continue enjoying the park during this rainy period. Gravel roads in the south of the park remain closed for now and are being monitored constantly. The gates will be opened as soon as they are deemed safe,” said Oscar Mthimkhulu, KNP Managing Executive.
The current state of the rivers are as follows:
- Crocodile River remains in high flow, with sustained flows from upstream, but not excessive flood conditions. The gate is open for now but the rest camp is still not admitting overnight visitors as yet and the gate is for emergency access to replenish supplies and fuel.
- Sabie River remains in high flows, with sustained flows from upstream and access to Lower Sabie expected to remain closed for next 48 hours.
- Olifants River remains in high flows, Lepelle Northern Water used the flood conditions as opportunity to flush the Phalaborwa Barrage creating important storage capacity for future dry conditions.
- Access to the north of KNP remains open over the high-water bridge over Sabie and Olifants Rivers, although the Balule low-water bridge remains closed and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
- The Letaba River remains in high flows although only intermittent rain is expected. There is no access at the low-water bridge connection between Phalaborwa and Mopani Rest Camp; high-water bridge access to far north unaffected.
- Shingwedzi River remains in normal summer flow conditions.
- Luvuvhu River also remains in normal summer flow, as does the Limpopo River in the far north and access to Makuleke Contractual National Park/Pafuri Section remains open. Importantly, during this flood process SANParks remains in constant communication with Dept of Water & Sanitation and Catchment Management Agencies, as well as our neighbouring water management authorities in Mozambique and the provincial disaster management centres in South Africa.
- Overall conditions from a river ecosystems perspective is that the flood conditions provide good natural flushing conditions for the rivers, groundwater recharge which is important for dry-season flows and at this stage there are no concerns from a conservation perspective.
- All gravel and management roads in southern KNP, however, sustained significant damage which will only be assessed over the next 14 days as conditions start drying out and technical staff are able to get to these roads.
The current road access conditions are as follows:
- All dirt roads in the south (Marula Region) remain closed, as are the minority in the north (Nxanetseni) due to wet conditions. The majority of tar roads in the park remain fully accessible, expect in the south with no access from Skukuza to Lower Sabie due to washing away of the road at three locations. Some damage to other smaller bridges but these have been assessed for safety and remain open. KNP strongly urges visitors to remain vigilant and under no circumstances to access roads where barricades have been placed. There have been a few occasions where tour operators in open safari vehicles have removed the barricades which might endanger the lives of their clients.
- All tar roads in the park are open, except the main road between Skukuza and Lower Sabie.
- The Pretoriuskop-Skukuza main road remains closed.
- Talamati and Biyamiti Bush Camps are closed.
- Balule is now open. Access from the south, S89 and S90. The Olifants River low water bridge is still closed.
- Sable Hide closed.
- Shimuwini, Bateleur and Sirheni Bush Camps open.
- All Rest Camps are operational except Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie.
- All Entrance Gates except Crocodile Bridge are open.
- The restrooms at Tshokwane are currently out of order.
- Skukuza Airport is operating but advises passengers to contact their lodges to get information before flying to Skukuza. The airport is currently processing passengers to and from the airport via Shalati Bridge; and all transfer companies, lodge representatives, car hire should pick up and drop off in the Skukuza Day Visitors Site which is adjacent to the train/bridge because the Sabie low-level bridge is currently flooded.
No lives have been lost in the floods. KNP’s technical team is currently monitoring all infrastructure and carrying out repairs where possible. A full assessment of the damage caused will be done once the water has subsided.
