Kruger camps, bridges closed due to flooding

Widespread flooding in the Kruger National Park has closed several bridges and roads in the southern region. Image: Go Travel 24

SANParks spokesman Isaac Phaahla said constant rain since Sunday (2 March) caused extensive flooding in the south of the Kruger, with some roads closed, camps inaccessible and bridges submerged.

"The Crocodile River Bridge is submerged and has been closed, while the Biyamiti and Talamati camps are inaccessible. We hope that there will be no permanent structural damage to the bridge, but we will see once the water subsides," Phaahla said.

He added that the S25, S139 and S114 roads are also closed and advised visitors to use the Malelane Gate as an alternative to the Crocodile Bridge Gate.

More than 140mm of rain has fallen in the south of the Kruger in the past three days with more rain expected for the rest of this week.

Phaahla said for now the flooding is light compared with previous floods.

In January last year, flooding forced the closure of several camps and most roads in the Nxanatseni region of the Park.

Heavy flooding in 2012 caused the closure of several gates, the evacuation of tourists from camps and extensive damage to roads.

In 2000, the worst instance of flooding in recent history, rivers burst their banks, submerging camps and making parts of the Park completely inaccessible.