Kruger National Park reopening update: Selected gates and camps resume operations!

last update 30 January 2026

SANParks has released the latest Kruger road closure register (30 January 2026 11:00)

last updated 30 January 2026

SANParks just confirmed that the much anticipated route between Skukuza and Satara is now open.  

last updated 30 January 2026

SANParks confirmed this morning that the much anticipated Sand River Low Water Bridge is now open. The bridge is located on the H1-2 road between Skukuza and Tshokwane/Lower Sabie in the southern section of Kruger National Park. It lies east of Skukuza Rest Camp on the route that connects the central Skukuza area with roads heading toward Lower Sabie and the Tshokwane picnic site. 

last update 29 January 2026

SANParks has released the latest Kruger road closure register (29 January 2026 11:00)

last update 28 January 2026

• Main Camps
• Punda Maria - Open
• Pafuri Border Camp - Closed
• Shingwedzi - Closed to overnight guests.
• Day visitor site open from 25 Jan. Restaurant open 07h00-16h00
• Mopani - Open 30 Jan. Limited units available, fuel shortage and no diesel, restaurant only to sell coffee and beverages, shop still awaiting deliveries
• Letaba - Closed
• Olifants - Closed
• Satara - Open. Guests are advised to use Phalaborwa Gate for access
• Orpen - Open
• Skukuza - Open
• Lower Sabie - Open
• Pretoriuskop - Open
• Crocodile Bridge - Open
• Berg-en-Dal - Open
• Bush Camps
• Sirheni - Closed
• Bataleur - Open 28 Jan
• Shimuweni - Closed
• Talamati - Closed
• Mbiyamiti - Closed
• Satellite Camps
• Balule - Closed
• Tsendze - Closed
• Tamboti - open for overnight guests
• Maroela - open for overnight guests
• Malelane - Open
• Private Camps
• Boulders - Closed
• Roodewal - Closed
• Gates
• Pafuri - Open
• Punda Maria - Open
• Phalaborwa - Closed. Only overnight visitors traveling to Satara may enter, and SANParks guided drives.
• Orpen - Open only for overnight guests to the camp and Maroela and Tamboti, emergency services and essential deliveries
• Paul Kruger - Open
• Phabeni - Open 27 Jan. Guests to use S3 & S4 to connect to Pretoriaskop and Skukuza
• Numbi - Open
• Malelane - Open
• Croc Bridge - Open
• Picnic Sites
• Babalala - Closed
• Makhadzi - Closed
• Tshokwane - Open
• Mundzandzeni - Closed
• Afsaal - Open
• Nwanetsi - Open
• Skukuza Day Visitors - Open
• Pafuri - Closed
• Shops
• Punda Maria - Open 26 Jan
• Shingwedzi - Open 28 Jan
• Mopani - Open 28 Jan. Limited stock, still awaiting deliveries
• Letaba - Open 3 February
• Giriyondo border gate - Closed
• Pafuri border post - Closed  

last update 28 January 2026

Skukuza Day Visitor site reopens today!

last update 27 January 2026 

Due to repair work taking longer than anticipated:

• Letaba shop will open Tuesday 03 February 2026, not 30 January 2026 as per previous update.
• Skukuza Day Visitors area remains closed.  

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South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that several gates and facilities in Kruger National Park are reopening, following improved weather conditions and ongoing safety assessments in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

As of 26 January 2026, overnight visitors are once again permitted to enter the park via Phalaborwa Gate. Phabeni Gate will reopen to overnight guests from 27 January 2026. Visitors entering through these gates will be routed via the S3 and S4 roads, providing access to Pretoriuskop and Skukuza Rest Camps.

Camp and Facility Reopenings

• Bateleur Bush Camp reopens on Wednesday, 28 January
• Mopani Rest Camp reopens on Friday, 30 January 2026, excluding the restaurant and swimming pool
• Northern region shops reopening schedule:
• Punda Maria Shop – 26 January
• Shingwedzi & Mopani Shops – 28 January
• Letaba Shop – 30 January

However, Letaba and Shingwedzi Rest Camps, as well as the Pafuri Border Post, remain closed and inaccessible.

Marula Region and Central Kruger Status
In the Marula Region, Satara Rest Camp and N’wanetsi Picnic Site are open. Biyamiti and Talamati Bush Camps remain closed until further notice.

Orpen Gate is still inaccessible and may only be used by overnight guests, emergency services, and essential supply vehicles. SANParks has also warned visitors travelling to Orpen to remain alert along the R40 near Dwarsloop, where protest activity has been reported.

Important Travel and Safety Advisory
SANParks strongly urges visitors not to remove barricades or attempt to access closed roads, as these restrictions are critical for visitor safety and ongoing infrastructure recovery. All gravel roads across Kruger National Park remain closed until further notice.

Kruger National Park authorities continue to monitor conditions closely, and access restrictions will be reviewed as repairs progress. Further updates will be communicated through official SANParks channels.

SANParks has thanked all visitors for their patience, cooperation, and understanding during this recovery period as the park gradually returns to full operational capacity.

 

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Kruger National Park: Phabeni Gate is currently inaccessible!

South African National Parks (SANParks) just informed the public that Kruger National Park's Phabeni Gate is currently inaccessible due to blockages by protesters. Guests are advised to use alternative gates such as Paul Kruger Gate to enter and exit the park.
Phabeni Gate is the closest entrance into the Kruger National Park from Hazyview and the best way to get into the southern parts of the National Park and Skukuza Main Rest Camp from Johannesburg and Pretoria. To get to Paul Kruger Gate, travellers should take the N4 to Nelspruit then take the R40 to White River, Hazyview via the R40. From Hazyview, take the R536 to the Paul Kruger Gate. It is advised to allow between 5 to 6 hours for the trip to the gate. Skukuza Main Rest Camp is 12km (30 min)  away from Paul Kruger Gate.

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: Phabeni Gate is expected to reopen on 20 May 2016!

Kruger National Park's Phabeni Gate is expected to reopen on 20 May 2016. The gate is closed since 16 May 2016 due to repair work that needs to be done on the Phabeni low water bridge. Visitors are advised to use alternative gates such as Numbi Gate and Paul Kruger Gate for entry and exit during the period of the closure.

Heavy rains in early March 2016 damaged the bridge at Phabeni Gate. South African National Parks (SANParks) managed to restore access to the bridge for interim use within a week after the rain and is now finishing the remaining bridge repair work.