Kruger National Park establishes relief fund following devastating weather impacts

Kruger National Park has officially launched a relief fund aimed at rebuilding the infrastructure damaged by the recent unprecedented heavy rainfall, The Star has learned.

Further details of the fund are expected soon.

This critical announcement came from Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment Minister Willie Aucamp, who undertook an aerial assessment of the park to gauge the full extent of the destruction.

During his flyover, Aucamp reported that the rainfall had wreaked significant havoc on pathways, accommodation facilities, and various essential amenities within the park. He expressed his relief that, despite the severe weather conditions, no lives had been lost.

The newly established fund, according to Aucamp, will be overseen by an independent auditor, ensuring transparency and accountability in how resources are allocated. Aucamp has appealed to corporate entities, urging them to contribute generously to the relief effort. His call for support underscores the vital role that private sector assistance can play in rehabilitating one of South Africa's most cherished wildlife reserves.

As torrential rains brought catastrophic floods to the region, numerous videos have emerged online illustrating the dramatic plight of these creatures who have strayed far from their usual territories.

Footage circulating on social media depicts wild animals straying far from their natural habitats as they seek refuge.

Trending videos on social media show animals in the water trying to escape, with some crocodiles even seeking refuge in people’s homes.

SANParks confirmed that earlier this week, several day visitors were unable to exit the park when a bridge at Crocodile Bridge Gate was submerged due to flooding.

According to IOL, Reynold Thakhuli, spokesperson for the park, shared insights with AP News, highlighting that the animals have the instinct to migrate to safer areas. However, precautionary measures were required to protect guests, some of whom had already been evacuated from the low-lying camps.

Spanning a remarkable 19,485 square kilometres across the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park stands as South Africa's largest and one of the most celebrated national parks.

Renowned not only for its vast landscapes and scenic beauty but also as a critical sanctuary for wildlife, Kruger provides a precarious yet thriving habitat for some of the world’s most formidable predators, including prides of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs.

Revered for being a significant haven for "the Big Five", elephants, lions, wild dogs, leopards, and buffalo, this exceptional park attracts thousands of tourists eager to connect with nature's most magnificent creatures.

IOL reports that Day visits to the Kruger National Park (KNP) are set to resume on Monday (19 January) following a temporary suspension caused by heavy rainfall in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

​Access to the park had been strictly limited to essential delivery vehicles, airport transfers for guests with proof of confirmed flight bookings, and visitors with existing overnight reservations at Berg en Dal, Pretoriuskop, and Skukuza rest camps. Essential staff members are also permitted access​.

The torrential rains and floods have claimed at least nine lives in Limpopo.

Among the victims was a five-year-old boy from Giyani, Limpopo. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the child's family to offer his condolences while assessing the flood damage in the region.