Critical flood-damaged infrastructure and tourism facilities have been restored in parts of Kruger National Park as SANParks continues its recovery from severe flooding in 2023 and earlier this year.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment David Maynier marked the completion of several projects during a two-day visit to the park on September 6 and 7.
Three culverts on the H4-1, damaged during the February 2023 floods, have been reconstructed at a cost of R37,5 million. The project, completed on July 31, included wider openings to accommodate increased water flows and additional protection for road embankments.
At Letaba, the high-level bridge has also been fully restored following damage during the January 2026 floods. The R9,5 million project reconnected the northern and southern sections of Kruger with the bridge reopening to traffic in March and final works completed in August.
Tourism facilities at Letaba Rest Camp are progressively returning to service. At a cost of R19 million, 25 tourism units, including 10 family cottages, have been restored. Another 64 units are expected to reopen in phases by November 30.
Maynier said the recovery programme should focus not only on replacing damaged infrastructure but on improving its resilience to increasingly severe weather events. He also called for greater collaboration between SANParks, the tourism industry, infrastructure specialists, financial institutions and development partners to strengthen climate resilience across South Africa’s national parks.
