Pretoria:Limpopo: When the Letaba River burst its banks on January 15, 2026, at the South African National Parks (SANParks) Letaba Rest Camp, Mpho Mudau, the Hospitality Services Manager, prioritized evacuating guests and staff over her personal belongings.
According to the South African Government News Agency, Mudau and her team faced resistance from some guests who underestimated the severity of the flooding, but they successfully evacuated the camp within 45 minutes. The floodwaters, described as resembling the sea with visible waves, resulted in significant damage to the camp and surrounding areas in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
The floods caused extensive damage to tourism facilities, engineering services, and perimeter fencing at Letaba. However, reconstruction efforts have been underway, with SANParks recently reopening some tourism units and the Letaba High Water Bridge, marking the beginning of National Parks Week.
The restoration work at Letaba has involved the repair of 25 tourism units, with further restoration projects expected to be completed by November 2026. The bridge, crucial for connecting the northern and southern sections of Kruger National Park, was reopened to traffic in March 2026.
SANParks Chief Executive Officer Hapiloe Sello highlighted that, despite the unprecedented flooding, no lives were lost due to the preparedness and effective disaster management by the park‚¬„¢s team. The total repair costs for the Kruger National Park infrastructure are estimated at R950 million.
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, David Maynier, praised SANParks' swift response and the modern enhancements made to the infrastructure. He noted that the ongoing reconstruction efforts are on track to be completed by the festive season, ensuring a better guest experience.
As the park continues to recover, Mudau remains passionate about her work in conservation and tourism, emphasizing the importance of nature and the park's special role in her life.