Floods update: Phabeni Gate to Kruger National Park closed
A road washed away close to Phabeni Gate after severe rain hit the Kruger National Park.
Due to heavy overnight rainfall on Sunday, January 18, SANParks has temporarily suspended Phabeni Gate access into the Kruger National Park (KNP). This came after a section of the S1 road between Phabeni and Kruger gates was washed away.
19 January 2026: Current conditions at the Letaba River and Letaba Rest Camp, Kruger National Park.
For verified information and official updates, please visit https://t.co/Cve61AjEE6 #KrugerFloods2026 #KrugerNationalPark pic.twitter.com/QzNjN5OGh5
— SANParks (@SANParks) January 19, 2026
Orange level 5 warning for : disruptive rainfall.
Affected area: Limpopo (Musina & Collins Chabane local municipality)
Validity period: 19 January 2026. #saws #weatheroutlook #southafricanweather pic.twitter.com/jSFImG6i2p— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 19, 2026
Day visitors are advised to use the following gates:
• Skukuza Rest Camp – access only via Paul Kruger Gate.
• Malalane Satellite Camp – accessible via Malalane Gate.
• Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp – accessible via Malalane Gate.
A lion sighted around the Letaba region, Kruger National Park. #KrugerFloods2026 #KrugerNationalPark pic.twitter.com/CsFZctCC2i
— SANParks (@SANParks) January 19, 2026
Closed areas, routes and gates:
• Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp – no access; Crocodile Bridge Gate remains flooded and closed.
• Lower Sabie Rest Camp – no access.
• Routes between Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Tshokwane and Satara – closed due to flooding at the Sabie Low Water Bridge and affected detours.
• Lower Sabie to Tshokwane (H10) – closed.
• Orpen Gate – closed until further notice due to safety concerns.
• Orpen Rest Camp and Satara Rest Camp – currently inaccessible.
• Pafuri and Punda Maria gates remain closed.
• Olifants Rest Camp – no access; the camp remains temporarily cut off from Letaba and Satara. Road conditions are being closely monitored, and exit via Phalaborwa Gate will be permitted once water levels subside.
@lowvelder Caption: Phabeni low-water bridge today, January 18. > Video: Supplied/SANParks
“SANParks continues to monitor weather conditions and the status of roads and infrastructure closely. Further updates will be communicated as the situation evolves,” said SANParks spokesperson JP Louw.
