LIMPOPO – Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister David Maynier spent two days in Kruger National Park this week to mark the completion and opening of critical infrastructure damaged by devastating floods earlier this year.

The two-day programme, held on September 6 and 7, included the handover of reconstructed culverts along the H4-1 route between Skukuza and Lower Sabie, a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the restored Letaba High-Level Bridge and a walkabout through reopened tourism facilities at Letaba Rest Camp.

Skukuza-Lower Sabie road upgrade complete

The H4-1, one of the park’s busiest tourism routes, has been upgraded with redesigned culverts aimed at improving the road’s resilience to future severe weather events.

“Key infrastructure upgrades have been handed over this week in Kruger National Park. Work on the park’s busiest tourist road from Skukuza to Lower Sabie is now complete, with redesigned culverts that are more resistant to future severe weather events,” said Maynier.

29 units restored at Letaba Rest Camp

At Letaba Rest Camp, which was among the areas worst affected by the January floods, 29 tourism units in circles A to C have been restored for R19m.

The completed restoration includes new furniture and 10 family cottages.

A further 64 tourism units remain under restoration and are expected to reopen in phases, with completion anticipated by November 30.

The minister said Sanparks had used the recovery programme as an opportunity not only to repair damaged infrastructure but also to improve its resilience to increasingly severe weather events.

“Our recovery efforts must be about more than simply rebuilding. We must use each project as an opportunity to strengthen resilience, reduce vulnerability and ensure that our national parks remain safe, functional and accessible,” he said.

Maynier hands over keys to restored unit

Maynier also ceremonially handed over the keys to one of the restored units to Sanparks board chairperson Beryl Ferguson.

Letaba bridge reconnects park’s north, south

Meanwhile, work on the Letaba High-Level Bridge, which commenced on February 4 following damage caused by heavy January rains, has also been completed.

The bridge was partially reopened to traffic on March 23, reconnecting the northern and southern sections of the park while rehabilitation work continued. The final works, including sand sealing of the road, were completed on August 28.

The R9.5 million project included reconstruction and stone pitching of the damaged bridge approach, as well as improvements to the drainage system.

The programme coincided with the start of the 21st annual SA National Parks Week, during which South Africans are offered free day entry to most national parks.