Home » KRUGER UPDATE: Remote Camp & Road Closures, Preparing for Dineo Tropical Storm

KRUGER UPDATE: Remote Camp & Road Closures, Preparing for Dineo Tropical Storm

The Kruger National Park (KNP) in South Africa has reported that it has “safety measures in place for Tropical Cyclone Dineo”. In a media release Thursday, the KNP said it has temporarily closed its gravel roads as Dineo moves throughout the Park. According to reports from the South African Weather Services (SAWS), various parts of the […]

By SAPeople
16-02-17 16:50
in Eish!

The Kruger National Park (KNP) in South Africa has reported that it has “safety measures in place for Tropical Cyclone Dineo”.

In a media release Thursday, the KNP said it has temporarily closed its gravel roads as Dineo moves throughout the Park.

According to reports from the South African Weather Services (SAWS), various parts of the Kruger – particular the far north of the park – are expected to receive heavy rain today, Thursday 16 February 2017. (The South African Government has issued a warning to South Africans in the pathway of the tropical storm ex-Dineo.)

According to William Mabasa, SANParks Acting Head of Communications the rain is expected to last until Friday morning.

He said as a precautionary measure gravel roads and remote camps mostly in the north of the park will be temporarily closed and guests booked in the flagged camps will be moved to safer camps.

“These closures are necessary to ensure visitors’ safety during this time and we would like to advise guests to stick to the tar roads whilst driving inside the Park.”

Mabasa said a decision has been taken close all gravel roads in the park for safety reasons. “A disaster management team has been set up and periodical updates will be released until the situation improves.”

He further reported that all SA Airlink flights to Skukuza are still operating as normal as no risk has been identified… “Should any change occur, information will be shared accordingly.”

The remote camps and gravel roads which will temporarily close are as follows:

  • Nyalaland Wilderness Trail
  • Olifants Wilderness Trail
  • Sirheni Bush Camp
  • Bateleur Bush Camp
  • All gravel roads in the Park are closed.

He advised guests to avoid all roads with a ‘No Entry’ signs or blocked with other objects.

Mabasa also urged visitors who would like to enquire or send communication related to the rainfall to please contact the Kruger’s Emergency Centre Numbers 013 735 0197/4325 or 076 801 9679.

Most of the areas in the Park do not have mobile phone coverage and the Kruger encourages those who have access to social media platforms to assist by posting valuable updates on SANParks – Kruger page.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS FOR THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, DINEO

As part of the Park’s “state of readiness” it has provided two phone numbers for anyone who needs information about the situation in the Kruger National Park. So if you’d like to enquire about the conditions of the area you may be visiting OR if you get stuck whilst in the Park, please call: 076 801 9679 or 013 735 0197

Skukuza Camp in the Kruger National Park was flooded last month (January 2017):

Just last month, Skukuza Camp was flooded, and similar flooding is expected over the next couple of days in the Kruger. Video by Ashleigh Robertson.