SANParks: Update on the refurbishment of infrastructure and the progress of road maintenance at Kruger National Park! [update]

update (05 September 2024): SANParks has announced that it has moved onto the next phase with the tourism infrastructure upgrades in the Skukuza Rest Camp. 22 units are currently being demolished to be rebuilt and upgraded. Units 109 to 141 (?) will soon have a new look.

South African National Parks (SANPark) has released an update on the refurbishment of infrastructure and the progress of road maintenance at Kruger National Park. According to the update, the refurbishment of infrastructure such as tourism facilities is an ongoing concern which was kick started in July 2022. Observations is that progress in this regard is steaming ahead and targeted to be near completion by June 2025. 

Facilities which have been refurbished and are complete and operational include:

• Letaba Shop
• Lower Sabie Petrol Station
• Upgrade of Sweni Trails Camp
• Several tourism units have gone through refurbishment at various camps and are completed e.g. Skukuza Wild Fig Guest House and Skukuza tourism units
• The viewing deck at Skukuza Rest Camp which was impacted by termites
• The restaurant viewing deck at Olifants Camp which was impacted by termites
• Construction of the Shingwedzi Restaurant Roof

Facilities which are still affected and under priority throughout Kruger National Park this year include:

• Phalaborwa Wildlife Activity Hub (Phase 1B) which is 40% complete.
• Upgrading of staff accommodation at Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Satara, Malelane, Crocodile Bridge and Olifants Rest Camps as well as Phabeni K9 continues whilst the construction and upgrading of 20 staff housing at Skukuza is nearly completed.
• Shangoni Gate Development (Phase I) which includes the Shangoni Reception facility is at 65% construction including civil works.
• Repairing of the leaking and damaged thatch roofs at Shingwedzi and Mopani Rest Camps is in progress.

SANParks has purchased two graders which have been blading many of the gravel roads in Kruger National Park that are in poor condition. Roads which have been bladed so far includes H2-2, S25, S28, S36, S139. S83, S84, S85, S34, S125, Tamboti and Maroela access roads, S106 and many more.

Roads targeted for grader blading in the next two weeks include:

• S125, S37, S39, S89, S91, S92, S41, S100 and S90

Professional Engineering consultants have been appointed to undertake the structural designs of the bridges on the following roads damaged by floods.

• Road H4-1, between Skukuza and Lower Sabie Rest Camps
• Road H1-2, between Skukuza Rest camp and Tshokwane picnic spot