Determination in the deluge: Crossing Kruger’s Giriyondo border
Motorists trapped for hours when Kruger's Giriyondo border post closed due to flooding, eventually forcing an escorted drive to safety.
LIMPOPO – Days of persistent and heavy rainfall transformed Kruger’s border access into a nightmare for a few South African motorists at the Giriyondo crossing this week.
Coming from Mozambique, the travellers reached the South African side early Sunday morning (January 10), only to find that it would be closed due to flooding from the recent downpours, leaving the group stranded.
“We were doubting if we were going to get out all night,” said one of the travellers, Alvin Lucas.
He described an impossible situation where the road on the Mozambican side appeared even worse, cutting off any possibility of retreat.
With the unrelenting rain and rising waters, the situation required decisive action.
Watch as travellers returning from Mozambique are escorted to safety after flooding forced the closure of Kruger’s Giriyondo border post.
📹: Schalk van Niekerk pic.twitter.com/yqD7oYUCtn
— LetabaHerald (@HeraldLetaba) January 13, 2026
Lucas said a determined police captain took charge, “he fought the rangers to man-up and get us out,” leading to a successful extraction.
As rains continue to pummel the region and waterlog access routes, both the Pafuri and Giriyondo posts remain temporarily closed.
Officials urge travellers to avoid taking risks and check for updates before any journey.
