Although water levels have begun to recede in parts of the Kruger National Park following heavy flooding, SANParks has warned that camps in the northern regions remain underwater and inaccessible.

Lowvelder reports that staff living quarters at Satara Rest Camp are flooded, and employees have been evacuated. No injuries have been reported, and the camp will remain closed due to disrupted water and electricity supplies.

Other parts of the park remain accessible, but only to authorised personnel and guests.

“The public is requested to note that, with immediate effect, access to the park will be strictly limited to essential delivery vehicles and airport transfers, subject to proof of confirmed flight bookings. Guests with existing overnight bookings at Berg-en-Dal, Pretoriuskop and Skukuza rest camps, as well as essential staff members, will be allowed into the park,” says SANParks spokesperson JP Louw.

Tourism activities in the park, including guided game drives and bush walks, have been suspended. “Many internal roads are saturated, damaged or inaccessible, making it unsafe to conduct these activities at present,” Louw explains.

Guests exiting the park are urged to monitor updates on road conditions outside the park, as several provincial and regional routes have also been affected by flooding.

“SANParks continues to closely monitor the situation in collaboration with disaster management authorities and will provide regular updates as conditions evolve. The safety of guests, staff and surrounding communities remains our highest priority.”

Letaba River subsides

Lowvelder reports that, according to a Facebook update posted by SANParks today, Letaba River water levels have declined; however, part of the bridge going to Mopani Rest Camp has collapsed.

Many visitors were evacuated yesterday after water from the river rushed through the Letaba Rest Camp, forcing them to leave some of their belongings behind.

Guests reported that before the evacuation, there was no electricity or running water in the camp due to some of the infrastructure being damaged or swept away.

SANParks says affected guests will be contacted to arrange the collection of their possessions once risk assessments have been completed.

Water levels over Lower Sabie Bridge have also dropped, as have river levels at Crocodile Bridge. However, both bridges remain closed.

Meanwhile, in Phalaborwa, a couple was helpless as floodwaters submerged their lodge.

A red, level-10 warning from the South African Weather Service remains in place today for Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

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