Kruger National Park Update: Letaba High Level Bridge now open to visitors

last update 23 March 2026 

South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the Letaba High Level Bridge in Kruger National Park is officially open to visitors as of today, restoring an important crossing point in the central region of the park.

This reopening improves route connectivity for self-drive travellers exploring areas around Letaba, Olifants, and Mopani camps, making game viewing itineraries more flexible and efficient.

However, visitors should take note of an important safety restriction: the bridge currently has no protective barriers installed. As a result, the standard Kruger National Park rule strictly applies - no stopping or exiting your vehicle is permitted on the bridge.

What This Means for Travellers

• The bridge is fully operational for vehicle crossings
• Ideal for smoother self-drive routes in central Kruger National Park
• No getting out of your car under any circumstances
• Exercise extra caution due to the lack of barriers

As always in Kruger National Park, adhering to safety regulations is essential - not only for your own protection but also for the conservation of wildlife and the safety of other visitors.

Travel tip: Plan your crossings during daylight hours and remain alert, as bridges often attract wildlife activity along riverbanks.

Kruger National Park tours >>
online car hire >> 

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa.

 

Kruger National Park Update: Letaba High-Level Bridge reopening pushed back

last update 16 March 2026

The Letaba High-Level Bridge is still inaccessible with the repair work suspended until further notice. 

-------------- 

Travellers heading to the northern section of Kruger National Park should note a slight delay in the reopening of the Letaba High-Level Bridge on the H1-6 tar road.

According to South African National Parks (SANParks), the bridge is now expected to reopen on 18 March 2026, a few days later than the previously anticipated 13 March 2026. The revised timeline follows recent rainfall, which slowed repair work and caused the technical team to lose approximately three days of construction time.

The Letaba High-Level Bridge, located near Letaba Rest Camp, sustained severe structural damage during the major floods of January 2026 that affected parts of the park’s northern infrastructure.

SANParks reports that additional measures have been introduced to accelerate the remaining work, with teams working to ensure the bridge can safely reopen to visitors as soon as possible.

What this means for visitors

If you are planning a self-drive safari in northern Kruger National Park, particularly between Letaba and Mopani, expect temporary route adjustments until the bridge reopens. Always check with park reception or SANParks’ latest updates before departing on longer drives.

Despite the short delay, the reopening of the bridge will significantly improve road connectivity in northern Kruger National Park, restoring a key route used by many visitors exploring this quieter part of the park.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa.  

South Africa: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), South Africa has lost at least 529 rhinos to illegal poaching between January - June 2017, compared to 542 in the same period for 2016. Out of the 529 rhinos poached nationwide, 243 have been illegally killed in Kruger National Park. This is compared to 354 in the same period in 2016 (-34%). Whilst there has been a decrease in the number of rhino killed for their horns in the Kruger National Park and Mpumalanga, the number of rhino poached unfortunately increased in some other provinces of South Africa.

During January - June 2017, 30 elephants were illegally killed by poachers in the
Kruger National Park.
A total of 359 alleged poachers and traffickers have been arrested in South Africa between January and June 2017 - of which 90 were arrested in Kruger National Park and 112 adjacent to the famous National Park.

South Africa: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa has lost at least 702 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2016 (Jan - July 2015 = 796). Of the rhinos poached, 458 were killed in Kruger National Park. While poaching in Kruger National Park is on the decline (Jan - Aug 2015 = 557 rhinos), the number of rhinos poached has increased in a number of other South African provinces in comparison to the same period in 2015, such as KwaZulu Natal, Free State and the Northern Cape.

Since January 2016 a total of 36 elephants have been poached in Kruger National Park.

A total of 414 alleged poachers have been arrested in South Africa since 01 January 2016 – of which 177 were in Kruger National Park and 237 for the rest of the country.  A total of 94 firearms have been seized inside Kruger National Park between 01 January and 31 August 2016.

South Africa: 363 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2016!

According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa has lost 363 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2016. Of the rhinos poached, 232 rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park, 51 in KwaZulu Natal and 30 in Limpopo.
Since the 01 January 2016 a total of 206 alleged poachers have been arrested in South Africa.

Latest rhino poaching figures (as of 08 May 2016):

• Kruger National Park (SANParks) - 232 rhinos poached
• MNP (SANParks) - 0 rhino poached
• Gauteng -  0 rhino poached
• Limpopo - 30 rhinos poached
• Mpumalanga - 14 rhinos poached
• North-West Province - 15 rhino poached
• Eastern Cape - 13 rhino poached
• Free State - 3 rhino poached
• KwaZulu Natal - 51 rhinos poached
• Western Cape - 0 rhino poached
• Northern Cape - 5 rhino poached

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is urging members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

South Africa: 393 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2015

According to South Africa's Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, South Africa has - as of the end of April 2015 - lost 393 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2015. Of the rhinos poached, 290 rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park. By last year this time, the number of rhino lost to poachers were 331 for the whole of the country and 212 for the Kruger National Park.
A total of 132 people have been arrested for rhino poaching-related offences in South Africa since January this year. Of the 132, 62 were arrested in the Kruger National Park as at the end of April 2015.

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is urging members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

South Africa: 49 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2015

According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa has lost 49 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2015. Of the rhinos poached, 29 rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park, 12 in Limpopo, 6 in KwaZulu Natal and 2 in Mpumalanga.
A total of 17 people have been arrested for rhino poaching-related offences in South Africa since January this year. 

Latest rhino poaching figures (as of 22 Januar 2015):

• Kruger National Park (SANParks) - 29 rhinos poached
• MAP (SANParks) - 0 rhino poached 
• MNP (SANParks) - 0 rhino poached
• Gauteng -  0 rhino poached
• Limpopo - 12 rhinos poached
• Mpumalanga - 2 rhinos poached
• North-West Province - 0 rhino poached
• Eastern Cape - 0 rhino poached
• Free State - 0 rhino poached
• KwaZulu Natal - 6 rhinos poached
• Western Cape - 0 rhino poached
• Northern Cape - 0 rhino poached

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is urging members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

South Africa: 899 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2014

According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa has lost 899 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2014. Of the rhinos poached, 581 rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park, 109 in Limpopo, 74 in KwaZulu Natal, 57 in Mpumalanga, 53 in the North West, 14 in the Eastern Cape, 4 in the Free State, 3 in Gauteng, 2 in the Northern Cape and 1 in the Western Cape.
A total of 282 people have been arrested for rhino poaching-related offences in South Africa since January this year. 

Latest rhino poaching figures (as of 24 October 2014):

• Kruger National Park (SANParks) - 581 rhinos poached
• MAP (SANParks) - 1 rhino poached 
• MNP (SANParks) - 0 rhino poached
• Gauteng -  3 rhino poached
• Limpopo - 109 rhino poached
• Mpumalanga - 57 rhino poached
• North-West Province - 53 rhino poached
• Eastern Cape - 14 rhino poached
• Free State - 4 rhino poached
• KwaZulu Natal - 74 rhinos poached
• Western Cape - 1 rhino poached
• Northern Cape - 2 rhino poached

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is urging members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

South Africa: 787 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2014

According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa has lost 787 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2014. Of the rhinos poached, 503 rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park, 103 in Limpopo, 67 in KwaZulu Natal, 47 in the North West, 45 in Mpumalanga, 12 in the Eastern Cape, 4 in the Free State, 3 in Gauteng, 1 in the Western Cape and 1 in the Northern Cape.
A total of 227 people have been arrested for rhino poaching-related offences in South Africa since January this year. 

Latest rhino poaching figures (as of 22 September 2014):

• Kruger National Park (SANParks) - 503 rhinos poached
• MAP (SANParks) - 1 rhino poached 
• MNP (SANParks) - 0 rhino poached
• Gauteng -  3 rhino poached
• Limpopo - 103 rhino poached
• Mpumalanga - 45 rhino poached
• North-West Province - 47 rhino poached
• Eastern Cape - 12 rhino poached
• Free State - 4 rhino poached
• KwaZulu Natal - 67 rhinos poached
• Western Cape - 1 rhino poached
• Northern Cape - 1 rhino poached

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is urging members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

South Africa: 769 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2014

According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa has lost 769 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2014. Of the rhinos poached, 489 rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park, 103 in Limpopo, 65 in KwaZulu Natal, 47 in the North West, 43 in Mpumalanga, 12 in the Eastern Cape, 4 in the Free State, 3 in Gauteng, 1 in the Western Cape and 1 in the Northern Cape.
A total of 227 people have been arrested for rhino poaching-related offences in South Africa since January this year. 

Latest rhino poaching figures (as of 11 September 2014):

• Kruger National Park (SANParks) - 489 rhinos poached
• MNP (Mapungubwe National Park?) - 1 rhino poached
• Gauteng -  3 rhino poached
• Limpopo - 103 rhino poached
• Mpumalanga - 43 rhino poached
• North-West Province - 47 rhino poached
• Eastern Cape - 12 rhino poached
• Free State - 4 rhino poached
• KwaZulu Natal - 65 rhinos poached
• Western Cape - 1 rhino poached
• Northern Cape - 1 rhino poached

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is urging members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

South Africa: 618 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2014

According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa has lost 618 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2014. Of the rhinos poached, 400 rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park, 82 in Limpopo, 52 in KwaZulu Natal, 40 in the North West, 24 in Mpumalanga, 10 in the Eastern Cape, 4 in the Free State, 3 in Gauteng, 1 in the Western Cape, 1 in the Northern Cape and 1 in MNP (Mapungubwe National Park?).
A total of 165 people have been arrested for rhino poaching-related offences in South Africa since January this year.

Latest rhino poaching figures (as of 31 July 2014):

• Kruger National Park (SANParks) - 400 rhinos poached
• Marakele National Park (SANParks) - 0 rhino poached
• MNP (Mapungubwe National Park?) - 1 rhino poached
• Gauteng -  3 rhino poached
• Limpopo - 82 rhino poached
• Mpumalanga - 24 rhino poached
• North-West Province - 40 rhino poached
• Eastern Cape - 10 rhino poached
• Free State - 4 rhino poached
• KwaZulu Natal - 52 rhinos poached
• Western Cape - 1 rhino poached
• Northern Cape - 1 rhino poached

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is urging members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.