SOME parts of the Kruger National Park (KNP), one of South Africa's most popular international tourist destinations - may be closed to the public for a long time if alternative funding is not obtained to repair the infrastructure in the park.
This according to South African National Parks finance director, Chris Soglanich, who told Travel Now that the KNP's insurance only covers R20m of the estimated R85m loss suffered at the park during the floods.
R70m of this amount is damage to infrastructure such as bridges and roads while the remaining R15m covers estimated loss of income during the three weeks of severe flooding.
In addition, several international tour groups have reportedly cancelled trips to the KNP due to widespread coverage of the floods in Mozambique.
"Many of them believe the same situation may happen to this part of the world and that the roads are dangerous. There are many misconceptions relating to this."
"The most recent cancellation was for an Australian group due to arrive at the park at the end of March. This results in even more loss of income for the park.
"In addition, a number of tourists are seeking alternative accommodation in the area, bringing in only a day visitor fee for us, which isn't enough to sustain the park, let alone rebuild."
The two disaster funds that were established have collectively produced less than R1m.
"I must emphasise that we have every intention of keeping the park open, but we desperately need funds to do so," says Soglanich.
He ascribes the public's lack of interest to the poor state of the economy. "And many probably feel that it's the government's perogative to see to its own restructuring and rebuilding."
He says KNP is looking at other alternative funding, negotiating with numerous banks, but what the park really needs, according to him, is for people or companies to become actively involved in the reconstruction process.
(Adele Mackenzie)
