Kruger National Park enforces gate quotas for this weekend

SKUKUZA – Day visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) are requested to take note of gate quotas when planning their visit, as these will be strictly enforced during this coming Easter Weekend which starts on Thursday.

Visitors are advised either to arrive at the gate very early in the morning because the service is on a first come, first served basis, or pre-book their entrance with central reservations office on 012-428-9111, in order to ensure that they gain access to the park in terms of their own plan and are not sent back at the gate.

“We call on everyone who is planning to come to the park as a day visitor please to make the necessary arrangement beforehand in order to avoid disappointment,” said KNP spokesman Mr William Mabasa.

Those who pre-book their visit will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of R28 per adult and R16 per child entering the park which is meant to ensure their space,otherwise they would have been counted in the number that made up the daily quota. Day visitors with advanced booking are also expected to arrive at the specified gate by not later than 13:00 on the date of the booking, after which it lapses. A pre-booking, however, does not exempt the day visitor from paying the normal conservation fees upon arrival at the gate, but does secure his/her entry.

All visitors are also reminded to bring along their identity documents or some alternative form of identification to avoid problems at the gates. Wild Cards cannot be used to identify one as legitimate holder, and should be accompanied by some form of identification.

Mabasa also reminds visitors not to bring liquor with them as the alcohol ban on public areas in the park is a permanent rule enforced at all times. Law-enforcement officials will be on the look-out for rule violators. Visitors can also report any incident of rule-or-regulation infringement to the Emergency Call Centre on 013-735-4325.
Honorary rangers will be deployed in order to assist gate staff with managing the queues and other services available at the gates.

Day visitors, who may not be able to gain entry because the quota shall have been reached, can if they wish, make use of the park-and-ride facilities available at some gates. This comes at a fee, but should be better than having to turn back at the entrance gate.

“We also request visitors to plan their trip by observing gate opening and closing times so that they do not find themselves either speeding or arriving late at the camps/gates on their way in/out of the park,” concluded Mabasa. People must please read their permits received at the gates because all the rules and regulations of the park are clearly stipulated in those documents.

Kruger has 10 entrance gates – Pafuri, Punda Maria, Phalaborwa, Giriyondo, Orpen, Paul Kruger, Phabeni, Numbi, Malelane and Crocodile Bridge.