The South African National Parks (SANParks) announced the start of a R370m infrastructure upgrade and refurbishment programme for Kruger National Park (KNP) over the next three years.

The news was was shared in a statement released by the KNP’s communications and marketing manager, Isaac Phaahla on Monday.

Funds for the upgrade include payments from insurers, and contributions from the National Department of Tourism, but are predominantly from an Infrastructure Development Programme allocation to SANParks from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.

Managing executive of the KNP, Gareth Coleman, indicated that: ‘The first phase of the programme will provide important impetus to upgrading infrastructure and improving the visitor experience. The decline in tourists under Covid-19 has impacted our revenue, but the need to maintain and upgrade our infrastructure is ever-present.

‘The infrastructure programme will also help provide much-needed employment in the area.’

He said contracts and work packages with contractors for civil and building works should be completed by the end of May, with contractors moving onsite by June 2022.

‘We will start seeing the results of these investments in the second half of 2022,’ said Coleman.

The tourism facilities prioritised include:
– Rebuilding of the burnt Letaba Shop and fencing.
– Rebuilding of Lower Sabie Petrol Station destroyed by fire.
– Construction of the Shingwedzi main building roof which had been removed due to termites.
– Phalaborwa Wildlife Activity Hub (Phase I).
– Shangoni (Phase I) which includes a picnic spot, camping site and Shangoni reception facility.
– Punda Maria tent upgrades.
– Upgrade of five entrance gates at Pafuri, Punda Maria, Orpen, Phabeni and Numbi.
– Renovation/upgrade of more than 110 tourism accommodation units at camps across the park.
– Upgrading of Sweni Trails camp.
– Repair and upgrade of the viewing deck at Skukuza camp impacted by termites.
– Repair and upgrade the restaurant viewing deck and handrails at Olifants camp impacted by termites.
– Upgrade of selected staff accommodation, resurfacing of identified tar roads, and the re-gravelling of selected gravel roads.

‘We will do our utmost to minimise the impact on visitor experience and request patience and understanding from our clients during the refurbishment period for any inconvenience caused.

‘We would also like to urge visitors to take note of additional signage placed in the affected locations and note the advice from our staff members,’ concluded Coleman.

Further projects will be launched in 2023.