LIMPOPO – With the current lockdown regulations amended to allow intra-provincial travel, Limpopo residents will be allowed to once again visit the Kruger National Park (KNP).

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced in a statement that the park will partially open some of its camps for accommodation from Friday, 14 August.

“Management would like to advise those with confirmed bookings to be aware that there will be strict enforcement of the regulations that are stipulated in the protocols around the easing of travel and leisure accommodation restrictions. Travellers may only overnight in their province of residence e.g. if they are from Limpopo, their booking must be for KNP rest camps in Limpopo,” the statement reads.

Guests who are uncertain in which province their rest camp is found, should contact the booking agents via central reservations at 012 428 9111.

“Within the KNP, the Olifants River is recognised as the boundary between Mpumalanga and Limpopo.”

Rest camps and accommodation facilities available in Limpopo:

• Pafuri Border Camp
• Punda Maria Rest Camp
• Sirheni Bushveld Camp
• Shingwedzi Rest Camp
• Bateleur Bushveld Camp
• Mopani Rest Camp
• Shipandani Overnight Hide
• Tsendze Rustic Camp
• Boulders Bush Lodge
• Shimuwini Bushveld Camp
• Sable Overnight Hide
• Letaba Rest Camp
• Olifants Rest Camp

Punda Maria, Shingwedzi and Letaba will reopen a few days later on 20 August.

The managing executive of the KNP, Gareth Coleman, said the park is ready to welcome back overnight guests but that this will be done in phases. “As the regulations regarding Covid-19 continuously change; it is imperative that we as KNP also adjust to make sure that those who will be visiting enjoy their experience regardless of the pandemic. The issue of PPE, training and the recording of personal details of visitors will be strictly adhered to. We plead with our clients to work with the gate and camp staff members on the observation of health protocols around the virus,” said Coleman.

Guidelines to adhere to:

• Maintain social distancing by at least 2 m at all times.
• Limitations on vehicle capacity and the number of occupants will be firmly enforced upon entry at gates. The restriction is that occupants may not exceed more than 70% of capacity and we request visitors to adhere so they are not turned back at the gates.
• Guests visiting the park must wear masks in the public areas as this is compulsory in South Africa; the driver of the vehicle must also ensure that all passengers travelling with them adhere to this.

“We also implore guests not to deposit their litter inside the bins within the parks but to leave with as much of it as hygienically possible,” Coleman concluded.