Namibia: Roads in southern Namibia damaged after heavy rains! [update]

update (12 January 2021): A section of the MR 25 or tourist route C11 from Karasburg to Main Road MR26 Junction has been severely washed away at kilometre 85, thus this road is closed temporary to all traffic.

update (11 January 2021): According to Namibia's Road Authority (RA) repair works on some sections on the Aussenkehr - Rosh Pinah road were completed and the road has been opened for traffic. However, road users must please exercise caution when travelling on this road as some minor damages  have not been repaired yet.

update (07 January 2021): Namibia's Road Authority (RA) has released a list of alternative routes to roads, in the southern part of Namibia, that were closed due to damages by recent heavy rains:

• Aroab – Keetmanshoop
• Take Main Road 25 (MR 125)/C11 south of Aroab, proceed to Main Road 26 (MR26) and B1 (TR 1/2) to Keetmanshoop.
• Koës to Keetmanshoop
• Take District Road 614 (D 614)/C11 south of Koës, proceed to Main Road 25 (MR25), Main Road 26 (MR26) and B1 (TR 1/2) to Keetmanshoop.
• Koës to Mariental
• Take Main Road 30 (MR30)/C17 north of Koës, proceed to Main Road 33 (MR33)/C15 via Gochas up to Stampriet and proceed to TR 5/1 to Mariental.
• Berseba to Keetmanshoop
• Take Main Road 98 (MR98) east of Berseba and proceed to B1 (TR 1/3) to Keetmanshoop.
• Oranjemund/Rosh Pinah to Aussenkehr/Noordoewer
• Please make use of the tarred roads via Aus, Keetmanshoop and Grünau.
  

NB: The alternative gravel roads are accessible but with washaways that are still being repaired. However, warning signs have been installed accordingly, thus, road users are kindly requested to adhere to these signs at all times.

update (06 January 2021): Namibia's Road Authority (RA) has released an update on the roads in southern Namibia, which got damaged after heavy rains.

• District Road D212 or tourist road C13: From Aussenkehr to Rosh Pinah
• The Road has been temporary closed due to flooding from the Fish River which crosses the road. Please do not attempt to cross the section where the river passes, it is extremely dangerous.
  

update (06 January 2021): Namibia's Road Authority (RA) has released an update on the roads in southern Namibia, which got damaged after heavy rains.

• B1 route (Trunk Road TR 1/2 ): Grünau to Keetmanshoop road
• TR 1/2 at kilometer (km) 121 near Guruchab River Bridge, the eastern road shoulder has been extensively damaged. The road is open to traffic but the RA has erected road signs to warn the road users about the damaged section. The road is narrow, kindly exercise extreme caution
• Main Road (MR) 27 or tourist Route C16: From Keetmanshoop to Aroab
• The Stampriet River has flooded this road and caused extensive damage to the sections near the Stampriet River Bridge, hence the road has been closed temporarily to all traffic.
• Main Road 22 (MR 22) & District Road 271 (D271): Gravel roads from Noordoewer to Karasburg
• Both roads are closed temporary to traffic due to serious wash aways at river crossings and a collapsed culvert on MR 22. Roads users from Noordoewer to Karasburg are urged to use the tarred road via Grünau. 
• Homs River Bridge in Warmbad on District Road 210 (D210)
• D210 is closed temporary to traffic due to the damage to the bridge near Warmbad.
• Main Road 30 (MR 30) or tourist Route C17: From Keetmanshoop to Koës
• A portion on this road was severely damaged, hence, the road has been closed temporary to all traffic.
• Main Road 29 (MR 29): gravel road from Keetmanshoop to Mariental via Vaalgras
• The Vaalgras River has flooded the road and caused extensive damage to a portion of the road near the River, hence the road has been closed temporarily to all traffic.
• District Roads 609 & D 511: From Keetmanshoop to Berseba
• The Fish River crosses both roads and currently it is not safe to access both roads. The roads are closed temporary to all traffic.
  

Namibia's Road Authority (RA), whose core business is to construct and maintain the country's road sector, has announced that some roads in the southern part of Namibia were damaged after heavy rains during the past two days. The RA is urging all road users to exercise extra caution and be vigilant during their journeys in the southern part of Namibia. According to the RA, maintenance teams are working around the clock to inspect and assess the conditions of the roads and ensure that warning signs are erected. As of today (05 January 2021), the following roads in southern Namibia are affected:

• B1 route (Trunk Road TR 1/2 ): From Grünau to Keetmanshoop
• TR 1/2 at kilometer (km) 121 near Guruchab River Bridge, the eastern road shoulder has been extensively damaged. The road is open to traffic but the RA has erected road signs to warn the road users about the damaged section. The road is narrow, kindly exercise extreme caution.
• Main Road 27 (MR 27) or tourist Route C16: From Keetmanshoop to Aroab
• Main Road MR 27 has been damaged at several places with the southern lane washed away at some spots, the road is currently only accessible by 4x4 vehicles. Small vehicles owners are advised to refrain from travelling on this road until further notice.
• Main Road 22 (MR22) & District Road 271 (D271): Gravel roads from Noordoewer to Karasburg
• MR 22 and D271 are both temporarily closed to traffic due to serious wash aways at river crossings and a collapsed culvert on MR 22. Roads users from Noordoewer to Karasburg are urged to use the tarred road via Grünau.
• Hom River Bridge in Warmbad on District Road 210 (D210)
• D210 is closed temporary to traffic due to the damage to the bridge near Warmbad.

Southern Africa: Rainfall season (October 2020 - March 2021) outlook! >>

Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park: All roads in the Mbhuzane Section have been closed until further notice! [update]

update (15 November 2019): Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife just announced that all gravel roads (!) in the Mbhuzane Section of Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park remain closed until further notice for sedans with a low ground clearance. This is with the exception of the road from Mpila to Cengeni via point 28 (Mantiyane) and 24 (Msasaneni).

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, has announced that all roads in the Mbhuzane Section of Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park have been closed until further notice. The roads have been very badly damaged in places due to hevy rain received on 13 November 2019 This is with the exception of the road from Mpila to Cengeni via point 28 (Mantiyane) and 24 (Msasaneni). Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife advises drivers to take extreme caution when traveling this route and recommends not to use sedan vehicles with a low ground clearance.

Namibia: Roads in the Zambezi Region set to be revamped after heavy rains & floods!

The Roads Authority Namibia (RA) is set to repair and upgrade roads in the Namibia's Zambezi Region that were damaged by heavy rains and subsequent heavy floods. These include the roads between Ngoma <> Ibbu, Izimwe <> Nakabolewa, Namalubi <> Isize <> Luhonono and Singalamwe <> Kongola <> Liselo. The Roads Authority will only revamp affected roads which have already dried up and the flood water has completely receded. The Zambezi Region, until 2013 known as the Caprivi Region, is located in the extreme north-east of Namibia.

South Africa: Kruger National Park flood repair update

South Africa's Kruger National Park experienced heavy floodings in January 2012 caused by strong rainfall in the area. Some of the parks camps and picnic sites, as well as roads and low level bridges, got damaged by the water masses and had to be temporarily closed. Flood repairs are still underway in Kruger National Park, but in the meantime all camps and picnic spots are open again. Except for the following, all roads are open again (as of 20 Sept 2012):

• S25 (From S26 to S139, Biyamiti Low Level Bridge washed away (a temporary bypass has been completed and S25 has reopened)
• S33, S84
• Balule Low Level Bridge (detour via S89 and S90): Balule Bridge is expected to reopen by 15 November 2012.  

Tanzania decides to scrap Serengeti road plans

update (06 July 2011): According to Reuters, Tanzania's Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Ezekiel Maige said in a telephone interview with the news agency (published on 01 July 2011): "The Serengeti road project has not been abandoned...we have just revised it. I don't know where all this confusion comes from. [...] The project is still there without a shadow of a doubt. But the road will be unpaved, so there will be no tarmac road or highway traversing through the Serengeti National Park."  No good news - it looks like the currently "unpaved" road will eventually become a Pandora's box...

update (29 June 2011): via The New York Times, published on June 27, 2011 : "Unfortunately, the letter announcing Tanzania’s change in plans is too ambiguous to celebrate, and it leaves the ultimate fate of Serengeti unresolved." [...]

Tanzania's government has informed the UNESCO World Heritage Committee that the North Road project through the Serengeti National Park, which would have split the northern part of the Serengeti wilderness and seriously disturbed the migration patterns of animals there, will get reconsidered. The government of the East African country will instead continue with its proposal to build a highway through the north but without the 53 km stretch of gravel road crossing the national park.
According to Serengeti Watch, which campaigns to preserve the Serengeti's ecosystem, Tanzania's decision to scrap the plans to build the highway is no cause for celebration as they expect that development will continue.
Serengeti Watch's interpretation of Tanzania's decision to scrap plans (via their newsletter from 23 June 2011): A battle has been won, but the struggle to save the Serengeti goes on. Roads will still be constructed up to the edges of the park. The pressures on the Serengeti, including a commercial corridor to Uganda, still exist. The highway across the Serengeti has been proposed three times now, and can be raised again.  But yes, let's congratulate ourselves on the work we've done.

Serengeti National Park with responsibletravel.com >>

some tourism news from Southern Africa

South Africa: New 4x4 trail opens in Camdeboo National Park
The National Park in the Eastern Cape of South Africa has opened a new 4x4 Trail. The "Koedoeskloof 4x4 Trail" is free (except for the park conservation fee). No booking is necessary; a 4x4 vehicle is essential.

accommodation in the Eastern Cape >>

South Africa: Wild Golf in Dinokeng
Wild Golf? In Dinokeng? Yes! Where? Well, Zebra Country Lodge has now it's own Wild Golf course. Dinokeng's vast landscape is perfect for "wild" golf, which is being played on natural terrain. Only one club with three striking faces is used and the ball, which weighs as much as a golf ball, is rubber and is more than twice the size of a normal golf ball.

accommodation in Gauteng/NW Province >>
daytours in & around Johannesburg >>

Zimbabwe: Facelift for Vic Falls
The town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe recently got a facelift. In honour of the 13th COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) Heads of State meeting all roads were resurfaced and buildings were repainted.

Victoria Falls tours >>
flights to Victoria Falls/Livingstone >>
accommodation in Victoria Falls/Livingstone >>

Swaziland: Update on roads in Swaziland
The Mbabane bypass (highway from Ngwenya/Oshoek border post to Manzini) is now open for public use. The Lavumisa to Big Bend road has just been resurfaced and is now open for public use as well.

Swaziland: New Campsite at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary has opened a new campsite, with 18 sites, each featuring a braai and an electrical outlet.

accommodation in Swaziland >>
online car hire >>