LIMPOPO – Sanparks has urged visitors to Kruger National Park to strictly obey road closures and “No Entry” signs, warning that tampering with the signs could put lives at risk and place unnecessary pressure on the park’s limited resources.

Couple stranded near Satara

The warning follows an incident in which a couple became stranded in the N’wanetsi area, about 25km from Satara Rest Camp, after driving along a route that had been closed to visitors. The couple was unaware that the road was closed because the “No Entry” sign had been removed.

Their vehicle subsequently became stuck in the mud and had to be towed out. Rangers launched a large-scale search after the couple failed to return to their booked accommodation.

Sanparks says this is not the only such incident recorded this year.

Tampered signs put others at risk

Sanparks spokesperson JP Louw said that removing road closure signs is not only unlawful but can also mislead other visitors into believing that a closed route is safe to use.

“Removing these signs not only misleads other visitors to drive through when they find closed roads illegally opened, putting all involved parties at great risk,” Louw said.

Impact on park resources

According to him, the impact of such incidents on its operations is that search operations require fuel, ranger vehicles, personnel, and, when necessary, air services. These resources are diverted from the park’s conservation responsibilities.

“Tourists driving on closed roads can worsen already damaged road infrastructure, increase maintenance costs, and delay the reopening of routes, particularly where roads have been closed because of wet weather.”

Louw said a typical missing-tourist incident, where the location of visitors is unknown, requires at least four ranger vehicles and eight rangers to be deployed until the tourists are located.

The situation is compounded by limited network coverage in some parts of the park, meaning stranded visitors may not always be able to call for help.