update (22 December 2025): South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued an update on road and access conditions inside Kruger National Park following ongoing heavy rainfall. The update was released on 22 December 2025 at 15:00, with several critical developments affecting visitor movement and safety.
- Sirheni Rest Camp evacuation:
- Guests and staff have been evacuated after the Shisha Spruit flooded, making the area unsafe.
- Skukuza Airport access disrupted:
- Access to Skukuza Airport is currently cut off due to flooding at the Lower Bridge.
- Alternative access is available via Shalati Bridge.
- Tshokwane–Skukuza road:
- The main road between Tshokwane and Skukuza remains open at this stage.
- Skukuza–Lower Sabie bypass:
- The bypass road is opening and closing intermittently as water levels continue to rise.
- Dirt roads:
- All gravel and dirt roads remain closed, as previously communicated, due to unsafe conditions.
- Mathekenyane access closed:
- The Mathekenyane area is closed until further notice because lionesses with cubs have been spotted nearby.
Aerial Assessment Findings (22 December 2025, 14:00)
An aerial inspection conducted by helicopter from Skukuza revealed the following:
- Sand and Sabie Rivers are flowing strongly and are full, but have not breached their banks
- Nwatitshaka River appears stable
- Skukuza staff village low-water bridge is currently in good condition
South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that exceptional rainfall across Kruger National Park has caused extensive damage to several roads, prompting temporary closures for visitor safety.
Park rangers are actively conducting road inspections throughout Kruger National Park, with updates being issued as conditions change. The following road closures are currently in effect:
- S65 Causeway – closed on 18 December 2025
- S28 Makambeni – closed on 18 December 2025
- Biyamiti Camp access: Currently only accessible via Crocodile Bridge using the S25 road. All surrounding roads remain closed due to flooding at low-water bridges (19 December 2025).
- Crocodile Bridge Road (S25) at the Biyamiti turnoff – closed pending inspection (21 December 2025).
- Tshokwane region: All gravel roads closed as a precautionary safety measure (21 December 2025).
Further north, significant rainfall has been recorded, with Pafuri receiving 303 mm and Punda Maria more than 100 mm overnight (22 December 2025). As a result:
- All gravel roads in the Pafuri and Punda Maria sections are closed
- Damage has also been reported on several tarred roads
SANParks urges visitors to exercise caution, adhere strictly to road closure signage, and check for official updates before travelling. Conditions remain dynamic, and further closures may be implemented as assessments continue.
Travellers planning visits to Kruger National Park during this period are advised to allow extra travel time, remain flexible, and prioritise safety at all times.
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