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To ensure a safe and pleasant stay in the Park, South African National Parks (SANParks) urges visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) to book in advance and observe Park rules during the festive season from December 15 until January 16.
According to the KNP’s spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, day visitors are reminded that daily quotas will once again apply at all entrance gates and there are three time slots for pre-bookings. “For busy periods such as the festive season, we aim to better manage the volumes we expect as well as our visitors’ expectations.
The three different time slots are aimed at improving the spread of vehicles and preventing unnecessary waiting periods at gates. The Day Visitor Quota for the Park is a management tool to prevent overcrowding the roads and facilities and is usually applied throughout the year. However, carrying capacity is soon reached during long weekends and school holidays resulting in us having to turn visitors away,” said Phaahla.
He also said pre-booked day visitors will receive preference over non-booked guests at the gate but those who made booking must ensure they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot will be regarded as non-booked and could result in being turned away. If need be, these bookings can be changed through SANParks Reservations offices.
According to Phaahla, the Park has planned for increased visibility of both traffic officials and visitor management personnel to monitor speeding, after-hours travelling and general road behaviour. Visitors are also reminded that no liquor is allowed within public Park areas, a permanent rule which is strictly enforced at all times. Management is also urging visitors to cooperate with officials who will be on duty and to report unbecoming behaviour to the gate officials.
He also requested visitors to help keep the Park clean by disposing of any litter at designated areas, not getting out from their vehicles in undesignated areas, to not speed and adhering to all rules and regulations as stipulated on the gate permit. Visitors are urged to be courteous and cooperative at sightings to avoid inconveniencing other road users.
Visitors are advised to plan their trip carefully, allowing sufficient time to enjoy the bush and get to your destination. Gate operating hours will be from 05:30 to 18:30 during December and January.
Visitors can choose these visiting time slots to pre-book:
• Time slot 1: 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2: 07:30 to 09:30
• Time slot 3: 09:30 onwards
