SANParks on high alert after Cyclone Freddy warnings

South African National Parks (SANParks) yesterday announced it is closely monitoring the path of Cyclone Freddy and relying on updates from the South African Weather Service, which has warned that parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga might be affected.

All camps in the Kruger National Park (KNP) with the exception of Biyamiti Bush Camp are open. However, visitors to facilities that may be affected such as Nyalaland Trails camp, Sirheni, Shimuwini and Bateleur Bush camps, will be informed of the possible pending storm and may be asked to evacuate in case the cyclone situation worsens.

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KNP managing executive Oscar Mthimkhulu said: “Indications are that parts of the far north of the park might be affected this weekend and we have activated our disaster management plans.

“Meanwhile, we have been fortunate in the south of the park and used the drying up time to clear debris from several impassable bridges.

The bridge at Lower Sabie Rest Camp is now open and guests travelling to or from Tshokwane/Satara can safely pass through.

The low-water bridge over the Sabie River in Skukuza is also open for those travelling to and from Skukuza Airport,” said Mthimkhulu.

Gravel roads in the south remain closed. It is hoped that the weather will be favourable enough for the road maintenance teams to attend to the closed roads going into the weekend.

KNP Protection Services has sanctioned another open safari vehicle operator for driving into a “no entry” road in full view of other law-abiding tourists, despite numerous warnings that have been communicated in the past.

Updates on the KNP will be communicated on social media platforms as soon as they become available.

The latest developments are as follows: v All camps, except Biyamiti Bush Camp, are open, with Nyalaland Trails Camp, Sirheni, Shimuwini and Bateleur Bush Camps on alert; the bridge at Lower Sabie is now open for travelling to Tshokwane/Satara; the low-water bridge over Sabie River at Skukuza is open for travelling to and from Skukuza Airport; and Sand River low-water bridge is not yet open, but is being closely monitored.

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