Limpopo: The South African National Parks (SANParks) has decided to restrict day visitors from entering the Kruger National Park due to ongoing heavy rainfall in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, which has raised safety concerns.

According to South African Government News Agency, the decision follows an incident earlier this week where several day visitors were trapped inside the park. A bridge at the Crocodile Bridge Gate became impassable after being submerged by rising river levels. Although all affected visitors were safely managed, the situation underscored the dangers posed by the current weather conditions.

SANParks emphasized the strain on operational and emergency response resources during this period of persistent rain. The organization expressed its preference to allocate resources to genuine emergencies and ensure the safety of guests, staff, and nearby communities rather than dealing with avoidable incidents related to non-essential travel within the park.

The restriction on day visitors is a precautionary measure and will be reassessed as weather and road conditions evolve. SANParks apologized for the inconvenience caused by the ongoing weather and appreciated public understanding and cooperation. The safety of all visitors and staff remains the highest priority for the organization.

In the meantime, Letaba Rest Camp is evacuating staff and guests due to flooding from the Letaba River. The Phalaborwa Gate will also be closed for at least 24 hours as the situation is closely monitored. This closure currently restricts access to the northern parts of the park. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.