South Africa's Kruger National Park suffered extensive damage during recent floods, with repair costs estimated at over half a billion rand (about $30.6 million). Fifteen camps remain closed and more than 500 staff were stranded as rivers submerged large areas, though officials report no animal fatalities inside the reserve. The government has created a recovery fund and is appealing for donations while warning tourism losses could undermine SANParks' wider operations. The storms have also killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands across northeastern South Africa and Mozambique.
Kruger National Park Devastated by Floods; Repairs Expected To Top $30 Million
Dozens of people lost their lives and hundreds of thousands were displaced in northeastern South Africa and neighbouring Mozambique in flooding caused by weeks of intense storms and rains (Orlando Chauke)(Orlando Chauke/AFP/AFP)
South Africa's iconic Kruger National Park sustained widespread damage to critical infrastructure during severe flooding, with early repair estimates exceeding half a billion rand (about $30.6 million).
Overview of the Damage
Torrential rains and flash floods forced the nearly Wales-sized reserve to suspend day visits and to airlift guests and staff as swollen rivers submerged large areas. Significant sections remained underwater a week after the storms and 15 camps were still closed, SANParks Chief Executive Hapiloe Sello told reporters.
Impact On People And Facilities
More than 500 staff were effectively stranded at camps inside the park, awaiting receding waters before they could depart. Accommodation for staff and tourists was destroyed in places, and bridges, roads, water systems and electrical infrastructure suffered what Environment Minister Willie Aucamp described as 'devastating' damage.
'In the Kruger National Park alone, the damage to critical infrastructure is so widespread that SANParks' earliest estimates are that the damage will be in excess of half a billion rands (approximately $30.6 million),' Aucamp said at a media briefing.
Wildlife And Wider Regional Impact
Officials said Kruger's wildlife largely escaped direct harm as animals moved to higher ground after sensing the danger. 'We have not seen one single carcass of any animal,' Aucamp added, noting that the famed 'Big Five' — elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo — were largely safe within the reserve.
Beyond Kruger, the same storms and weeks of intense rain have had a devastating regional toll: dozens of people have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced in northeastern South Africa and neighbouring Mozambique.
Recovery And Financial Concerns
The government has established a recovery fund for the park and appealed for local and international donations. Officials warned that the loss of tourism revenue from Kruger could threaten the financial sustainability of SANParks' wider network of 21 national parks, given the hit to operating budgets.
What Happens Next: SANParks and government agencies will assess and prioritise repairs to roads, bridges and utilities, reopen camps as conditions allow, and coordinate relief and recovery funding to restore the park and support affected staff and communities.
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