03 January 2025

Kruger National Park: Heavy rain forces temporary closure of Phabeni Gate and several roads!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that due to the current heavy rain Phabeni Gate, located on the southwestern edge of  Kruger National Park, and several gravel roads in the National Park are being temporarily closed. Phabeni Gate is closed due to the bridge overflowing. As of now, the following gravel roads are closed:

  • S37 and S41
  • S140, S36, S106, S146 and S147
  • S33, S34, S35 and S37

More roads are currently being assessed and could be closed. Crocodile Bridge is also getting closely monitored as is could overflow.

South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (January to May 2025)!

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued the Seasonal Climate Watch for January to May 2025. The outlook shows that the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) remains in a neutral state and is expected to weaken further. Forecasts suggest that a weak La Niña may develop by mid-summer, potentially impacting South Africa’s summer rainfall only in the latter part of the season. However, there is considerable uncertainty about whether a La Niña event will occur.

Predictions point to above-normal rainfall in parts of South Africa’s northeastern central and coastal areas during late summer, with this trend shifting to the eastern regions in autumn. Minimum and maximum temperatures are generally expected to be above-normal across the country during the forecast period, except for the southern coastal areas, where below-normal maximum temperatures are more likely throughout the summer.

02 January 2025

Kruger National Park Calendar - February!

Weather:

  • much the same as January
  • traditionally flood season
  • heavy rains can cause rivers to suddenly burst their banks

Temperatures:

Landscape:

  • plants at their most nutrtious
  • large vleis (shallow seasonal or intermittent lakes) on the basalt plain
  • many aloes in flower

Animal Activity:

  • large herds of grazers spread across the Eastern Grasslands
  • many nursery herds (protected by matriachs or alpha males)
  • breading season for Waterbucks
  • loads of bird activity around the flowering aloes

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