Caption: A vehicle stuck on a prohibited road in Kruger National Park
SANParks (South African National Parks) has urged visitors to KNP (Kruger National Park) to comply with road closure procedures after a spike in incidents where tourists remove “no entry” signs and drive onto closed roads.
SANParks said it is “noting with concern” the number of guests who end up stuck on closed roads and require emergency search and rescue operations.
SANParks spokesperson, JP Louw, said while guest safety remains the priority, those who deliberately ignore closures will face consequences.
“SANParks acknowledges that whilst people’s lives are of priority in emergency situations, guests who deliberately open closed roads and then get stuck may be fined as per the relevant regulations and held accountable for costs incurred from search and rescue operations,” said Louw.
According to SANParks, driving on closed roads is not only dangerous, but also illegal.
“Not only is this a contravention of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act No. 57 of 2003; but also misleads other visitors to drive through when they find closed roads illegally opened; putting all involved parties at great risk, “Louw said.
The park says the situation is draining resources. When a tourist cannot be located, a minimum of four ranger vehicles and eight rangers are deployed to search until they are found.
“In a typical missing tourist incident wherein the location of the tourists is unknown, a minimum of four ranger vehicles and eight rangers are deployed to search until the tourists are located. This significantly increases operational costs and places additional pressure on already limited resources,” Louw explained.
Beyond the human risk, SANParks says closed roads are shut for a reason often due to wet weather and damage.
“Apart from the operational impact of fuel, road repairs, deployment of rangers and air services resources away from the conservation mandate, tourists driving on closed roads continue to worsen the already damaged road infrastructure, increase maintenance costs and delay the reopening of roads after wet weather,” Louw said.
The organisation added that these incidents also cause unnecessary panic.
Because of limited network coverage in the park, stranded guests are often unable to call for help. Once reported missing, the MAJOC (Mission Area Joint Operation Centre) activates search protocols, including checking camera detection systems and deploying the SANParks aircraft if needed.
SANParks is appealing to all visitors to respect signage and closure notices for their own safety and to protect the park’s resources.
“We urge all guests to comply with road closure procedures. Please do not remove ‘no entry’ signs. Help us keep everyone safe and allow our teams to focus on conservation,” Louw said.
