Kruger National Park infrastructure maintenance in progress
The completion of all the refurbishment and maintenance of the infrastructure in the Kruger National Park are targeted to be complete by June next year.
The refurbishment and maintenance of some of the infrastructure in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is progressing well and is targeted to be near completion by June 2025.
SANParks have done an initial assessment on the maintenance of some of the roads in the KNP as well as developments of infrastructure refurbishment.
According to the KNP’s spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, infrastructure investment and road maintenance are considered critical factors in the enhancement of the customer experience in the park.
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 KNP
He also said the refurbishment of these infrastructures, which include the tourism facilities, is an ongoing concern that was kick-started in July 2022.
“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 KNP, which bodes well for the development of our rural economy and good neighbourliness,” he said.
Some of the facilities that have been refurbished and completed include the Letaba Shop, the Lower Sabie Petrol Station and an upgrade of the Sweni Trails Camp.
Several tourism units have also been refurbished at various camps and are completed, such as the Skukuza Wild Fig Guest House and bungalows. The viewing decks at Skukuza and Olifants rest camps, which had been invested by termites, have been renovated. And the Shingwedzi Restaurant’s roof have been constructed.
The facilities that are still affected and considered top priority for this year include the Phalaborwa Wildlife Activity Hub, which is 40% complete.
The upgrading of staff accommodation at Skukuza is ongoing, while the construction of 20 new units is nearly complete.
Upgrades to staff housing is also ongoing at the Lower Sabie, Satara, Malelane, Crocodile Bridge and Olifants rest camps as well as the Phabeni K9.
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The Shangoni Gate Development Phase I’s construction, which includes the reception facility, is 65% complete, and the repairs to leaking and damaged thatch roofs at Shingwedzi and Mopani rest camps are in progress.
Phaahla said regarding road maintenance, the two graders that were purchased have been used to grade many of the KNP’s gravel roads that are in poor condition.
“SANParks are in the process of finalising the contracting of additional equipment, which is intended to meaningfully expand its ability to routinely maintain all the gravel roads in the KNP. The roads that have been graded so far include the Tamboti and Maroela camps’ access roads, the S106 and many others.
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“Engineering consultants have been appointed to undertake the structural designs of the bridges on the H4-1 between Skukuza and Lower Sabie and the H1-2 between Skukuza and the Tshokwane picnic spot, which had been damaged by floods over the last few years,” Phaahla said. He added that the consultants completed the assessment and concept designs of the bridges.
Phaahla also said the road repairs are prioritised based on the extent of usage by park visitors, meaning the roads used most often are given more attention.
