PREPARING for visitors coming to enjoy the game viewing, turtle spotting, coral reef snorkelling, kayaking and horse safaris that the iSimangaliso Wetland Park has to offer, the park authority has put specific arrangements in place to ensure a fun-filled yet safe holiday.
Safety checkpoints, both mobile and permanent, will be operational throughout the park, where security staff will manage access and check for alcohol and illicit wildlife products.
In St Lucia, a one-way traffic system will be implemented for those driving to the beaches. Entry to the beaches will be one-way from the Kingfisher/Beach roads intersection and the Iphiva road will be used to exit the beaches. The only exception will be vehicles towing boats to and from Estuary Beach.
In Sodwana Bay, permanent checkpoints will be operational throughout the festive season. Gates will operate from 5am to 7pm. Should visitors envisage arriving late, alternative arrangements for accommodation outside the park must be made. This excludes Sodwana Bay, which has 24-hour access. The number of vehicles allowed into the park is limited at selected gates.
For Eastern Shores/Cape Vidal, the limit is 120, Western Shores 50 and Sodwana Bay 500. The Sodwana vehicle limit includes 200 daily permits for 4 x 4 drivers wishing to park on the beach.
These are issued free of charge, on a first come, first served basis, and allow the holder multiple entries.
Exercising a ‘zero tolerance’ stance on consuming alcohol in public, visitors will be given the choice of surrendering their alcohol at the checkpoints or not entering the park.
Beach monitors will be employed at the popular beaches but they are not lifeguards.
iSimangaliso has urged visitors to use water wisely, including using only buckets to clean boats.
There will be a high SAPS presence but visitors should also report emergencies or suspicious activities to the 24-hour line, 082 7977944.
