Kruger National Park tightens on its border control

by Cheréne Pienaar on 24 November 2011

Many travellers choose the Kruger National Park (KNP) as entry or exit when travelling to or from neighbouring countries such as Mozambique. But driving through the Kruger won't be as easy as in the past.

Always keep proof of booking

From 1 December this year, travellers will be required to produce a valid overnight booking in either Kruger or Limpopo National Park.

The restrictions will apply at all entrance gates in the KNP leading to the two border gates i.e. Pafuri and Giriyondo which are both found in the Nxanatseni (northern) region of the park.

Control measure needed

According to public relations head William Mabasa, the intention of some travellers had a negative impact on the park visitors. "We had to introduce these control measure on those routes in order to eliminate the undesired tendencies such as heavy laden, un-roadworthy vehicles, speeding, road kills etc; all these which were against the National Road Safety Act and spoiling the experience for our park visitors."

To allow visitors who have already planned their holiday schedule but have not secured accommodation booking yet, an additional fee of R150 per person will be charged to allow one to travel via the Park. It is still required, however, that you provide valid proof that no accommodation is available in either of the two National Parks and possess the required travel documents. This option will only be available for a period of six months; effectively from December 1, 2011.

Travellers should not that without a confirmed booking and confirmation that all facilities are fully booked, they will be refused admission and they would need to use other routes outside the Park leading to their destination.

Only for the tourists

Mabasa added that the Pafuri and Giriyondo border gates make it possible for travellers to travel between the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Parks without having to exit the parks.

"The routes for the border gates are classified as tourists roads and do not allow for commercial traffic therefore the idea is to encourage people to travel from one national park to another."

So, be sure to keep all the transaction details of your next booking in the Kruger and Limpopo national park close at hand when travelling in that part of the country. Kruger National Park accommodation can easily be organised with a travel agency.

Source : SANParks

Cheréne Pienaar

Cheréne Pienaar Born and bred in Bloemfontein, this Free state gal is an obsessive reader and hiker and loves discovering... all the time. As an e-marketing assistant and copywriter she believes social media is the future and plans to conquer Africa one word at a time.

View all posts by Cheréne Pienaar

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2 Responses on this page.Add your own

Martin Kennealy says:

28 Nov 2011

The park has traffic officers to control such issues. This is yet another example of legislation into extinction… how much more temperature can this frog take before it’s par boiled and stone dead???

Not good enough Sanparks. It borders on (pun intended) unconstitutional.
Leon Combrink says:

29 Nov 2011

There are people’s lives at stake. Many in Mozambique rely on food and income from this traffic. That overloaded bakkie may be carrying the only food some people will get, especially during droughts.