Kruger National Park tries to accommodate all visitors this festive season

Visitor management is a vital part of ensuring the best possible experience for all visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) over the coming festive season.

With this in mind, South African National Parks (SANParks) would like to remind day visitors to KNP that daily quotas will once again apply at the entrance gates.

Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival and there are three time slots which they can choose from:

Time slot 1: 5.30am to 7.30am

Time slot 2: 7.30am to 9.30am

Time slot 3: 9.30am onwards.

“For busy periods such as the school holidays and festive season, we aim to better manage the volumes that we expect, as well as our visitors’ expectations. The three different time slots are aimed at improving the spread of vehicles and, as far as possible, prevent unnecessary waiting periods at gates,” said the KNP’s general manager, communications and marketing, Ike Phaahla.

The day visitor quota for the park is a management tool to prevent overcrowding the roads and facilities and is applied throughout the year although they mostly reach carrying capacity during long weekends and school holidays resulting in them having to turn visitors away. Visitors will be able to book up to 80% of day visitor quota per gate via SANParks reservations offices and online at www.sanparks.org.

Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away. These bookings can be changed as well through SANParks reservations offices if needed.

Phaahla also reminded visitors to read the permit which they receive at the gates because all the rules and regulations of the park are clearly stipulated on these documents.

“Day visitors may not bring liquor as a result of the alcohol ban in public areas of the park. Further, visitors must please also refrain from committing other infringements such as littering, speeding and alighting from vehicles in places where this is prohibited in the park.

“These and other park rules are emphasised to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience, while not impacting other visitors, and hence must be adhered to at all times whilst in the park. Visitor management vehicles will also be on patrol, providing information to guests, visibility on the roads and law enforcement in the park,” he advised.

“We also advise guests to exercise caution when driving around areas undergoing construction such as Skukuza Camp so as to avoid unnecessary accidents,” said Phaahla.