Kruger National Park (KNP) visitors are being urged to abandon low-lying campsites and brace for short-notice road closures today, after extreme rainfall triggered a Level 6 alert and sent the Sabie and Crocodile Rivers surging toward flood levels.

This, after the park yesterday warned that visitors should be mindful of heavy rainfall predicted for both Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

Both the Pafuri and Giriyondo border posts have been closed following the Level 6 warning for severe weather issued for parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Visitors are advised to revise travel plans immediately and adhere to guidance from park officials.

SANParks Head of Communications, JP Louw, confirmed that several rivers are flowing at high velocity, with levels expected to rise significantly throughout the day.

The river systems currently under monitoring include:

• Delaport River
• Nwatshitaka River
• Crocodile River

Louw warned that the rising Sabie River is expected to impact the Sand River, which will, in turn, affect arterial routes between Satara Rest Camp, Tshokwane Picnic Site, Lower Sabie Rest Camp, and Skukuza Rest Camp.

Management has advised that road closures may be implemented at short notice. While not all camping sites are affected, guests in vulnerable areas are being relocated. Those in caravans and motorhomes are being moved to higher ground near chalet areas within the camps.

Earlier, Mpumalanga News reported that Shingwedzi, Sirheni and Bateleur camps have been evacuated to avoid potential challenges in the event of flooding, according to Louw.

For travellers attempting to reach Skukuza Airport from north of Tshokwane, Louw recommended exiting the park via the Satara or Orpen gates and re-entering through the Kruger Gate to avoid flooded internal routes.

Overnight rainfall measurements recorded this morning:

• Pafuri: 90.0 mm
• Houtboschrand: 85.5 mm
• Tshokwane: 73.5 mm
• Mooiplaas & Shingwedzi: 71.0 mm
• Lower Sabie: 58.5 mm
• Malelane: 57.0 mm

SANParks has issued a stern warning to both guests and staff to strictly observe no-entry and road-closure signage. Motorists must avoid flooded roads or low-lying bridges and are strictly prohibited from removing debris or barriers placed on the roads.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is continuing to monitor the system and will update warnings as conditions evolve.

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