Travel advisory: R538 closure impacts travel to and from Kruger National Park!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the Mkhuhlu Road is currently closed following a community protest at Cork Trust, near the bridge adjacent to the cultural village and the traffic college. The closure affects traffic on the R538 and has direct implications for travellers accessing or exiting Kruger National Park via the Paul Kruger Gate.

Motorists are advised to avoid the affected area until further notice and to plan alternative routes to minimise delays, particularly during peak travel periods.

Alternative access points and routes to consider

Travellers heading to or from the central and southern regions of Kruger National Park may use the following nearby options:

• Phabeni Gate (near Hazyview): A practical alternative for visitors approaching from Hazyview and the Panorama Route. This gate provides convenient access to the southern Kruger road network and helps bypass congestion near Paul Kruger Gate.
• Numbi Gate (near White River): Suitable for travellers coming from Mbombela (Nelspruit) or White River. While historically busy, it remains a viable alternative depending on traffic conditions.
• Malelane Gate: Ideal for those travelling via the N4 corridor. Although further south, it offers reliable access and good road infrastructure.
• Crocodile Bridge Gate: Best suited to travellers already in the far southern Lowveld or approaching from Komatipoort and surrounding areas.

Travel planning advice

SANParks recommends monitoring official updates, allowing additional travel time, and confirming gate operating hours before departure. Accommodation providers inside and outside Kruger National Park may also assist with route planning during the disruption.

The situation remains under review, and travellers should remain flexible with itineraries until normal access via the R538 and Paul Kruger Gate is restored.

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Kruger National Park: Road from Hazyview to Paul Kruger Gate blocked at Mkhuhlu! [update #4]

update (12 April 2024): SANParks has confirmed that the R536 route to Kruger National Park's Paul Kruger Gate previously closed and blocked by community protesters has now been cleared and open for use. The sand heaps and trees used to block the road have all been cleared. Paul Kruger Gate is now accessible to visitors again.

update (11 April 2024): SANParks informed that the R536 Hazyview - Paul Kruger Gate Road is blocked at Sabie River Bridge by Mkhuhlu community protesters. Access to Phabeni Gate still open.

update (10 April 2024): SANParks just confirmed that the road closure situation in Mkhuhlu remains the same. The community members continue to block the road access from Mkhuhlu leading into Kruger National Park's Paul Kruger Gate. The R536 remains affected, guests are advised to continue using alternative gates to enter and exit the park until such time

update (10 April 2024): According to "X"-user @EdwardthembaSa, the protest action at Mkhulu is still ongoing. See pic.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that the road from Hazyview to Kruger National Park's Paul Kruger Gate (R536) has been blocked at Mkhuhlu by the traffic lights. The community blocked the road due to service delivery disputes.
However, last time a road leading to Paul Kruger Gate was blocked, SANParks advised travellers to use alternative gates such as Phabeni Gate to exit and enter Kruger National Park, until such time an update is available. We'll keep you posted!

Kruger National Park: Paul Kruger Gate is currently inaccessible! [update]

update (11 July 2019): According to the Kruger National Park's twitter account, Paul Kruger Gate is accessible again.

update (10 July 2019): According to the local newspaper "Lowvelder", the R536 road is clear and open but visitors planning to enter or exit Kruger National Park through Paul Kruger Gate are still advised to use alternate routes.

South African National Parks (SANParks) advises visitors that Kruger National Park's Paul Kruger Gate is currently inaccessible due to protests (10 July 2019). The protests are taking place at Cork Trust, on the R536 road, leading to Paul Kruger Gate. Travellers entering and exiting the Kruger National Park should please make use of alternative gates such as Phabeni Gate and Numbi Gate, until further notice. We'll keep you posted!

Kruger National Park: The R536 road between Hazyview and Kruger National Park is partially closed due to flooding! [update]

update (01 March 2019): The R536 road has been re-opened, but is rather "muddy".

update (01 March 2019): Guests travelling to/from Kruger National Park should avoid using Phabeni Gate and Paul Kruger Gate until further notice. South African National Parks (SANParks) advises visitors to Kruger National Park to enter/exit the Park via Numbi Gate or Malelane Gate.

update (01 March 2019): The R536 road between Hazyview and Tshabalala Village is temporarily closed due to an overflowing bridge in the Tshabalala area (outside Phabeni Gate).

South African National Parks (SANParks) just informed the public via twitter and facebook that the R536 road between Hazyview and Mkhuhlu is currently closed due an overflow caused by the ongoing rain. This affects routes to Kruger National Park's Paul Kruger Gate and Phabeni Gate. SANParks advises travellers to use alternative routes. The section of the R536 road will remain closed until further notice. We'll keep you posted!

Kruger National Park: Paul Kruger Gate & Phabeni Gate inaccessible due to protests!

update (28 March 2018): According to South African National Parks (SANParks), the road from Hazyview to Paul Kruger Gate is clear. Phabeni Gate and Paul Kruger Gate are now accessible, only Numbi Gate remains inaccessible. (27 March 2018)

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that Kruger National Park's Paul Kruger Gate and Phabeni Gate are inaccessible due to service delivery protests taking place on the road (R40) from Hazyview to Paul Kruger Gate road today (27 March 2018) and is blocked at the moment. Numbi Gate is still also inaccessible (due to protests on the R538). Travellers planning to visit Kruger National Park are advised to use Malelane Gate, Orpen Gate or Crocodile Bridge Gate to access or exit the Park until further notice.

Kruger National Park: Paul Kruger Gate has been reopened!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that Kruger National Park's Paul Kruger Gate is open again. The Gate, the closest entrance to Skukuza Rest Camp, was closed on 09 August 2016 due protests on the R536 leading to the gate. Travellers intending to visit Kruger National Park via Paui Kruger Gate were previously advised to use alternative routes to enter or exit the National Park.

Kruger National Park: Paul Kruger Gate currently inaccessible due to protests! >>

Kruger National Park: Paul Kruger Gate currently inaccessible due to protests!

update (12 Aug 2016): South African National Parks (SANParks) advises travellers planning to use the R536 leading to Paul Kruger Gate on 13 August 2016 for entry or exit Kruger National Park to to use alternative routes (Phabeni Gate and Numbi Gate) because they are not sure if the demonstrations would have stopped or not.

According to a statement issued by South African National Parks (SANParks) on 09 Aug 2016, Kruger National Park's Paul Kruger Gate is currently inaccessible due to protests on the R536 leading to the gate. Visitors to Kruger National Park are advised to avoid the popular gate and to use alternative routes such as Phabeni Gate and Numbi Gate to access and exit the Park until further notice. It is unclear for how long the protest action will continue. Phabeni is about 10km away from Hazyview on the R536 and Numbi is about 31km from White River/52km from Nelspruit on R40.We'll keep you posted!