Kruger National Park: Mopani Rest Camp closes temporarily for controlled burns (May 2025)!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced a temporary closure of Mopani Rest Camp in Kruger National Park from 19 – 23 May 2025. The closure is due to essential controlled prescribed burns that will occur within the camp. These burns are part of the park’s strategy to manage vegetation and minimize fire risks.
Despite the closure, essential facilities including the filling station, park shop, and a limited takeaway restaurant will remain operational for visitors passing by the area. Mopani Rest Camp, located within the Savanna biome of Kruger National Park, relies on periodic burns to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Veldfires are a natural occurrence in the park, and controlled burns are a critical land management tool.
The fenced-off Mopani Rest Camp has seen a build-up of grass over the years due to limited grazing, increasing the fire risk to both guests and infrastructure. Manual grass removal is not practical given the size of the camp, making early-season controlled burns the most effective method to mitigate fire hazards.
The planned burns aim to safely reduce accumulated grass, minimizing the potential for severe fires during the hot, dry, and windy winter months from July to October. SANParks assures guests that the controlled burns will be conducted by trained staff with minimal disruption to the Kruger National Park experience, prioritizing the safety of both visitors and the natural environment.

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