Kruger National Park's Skukuza Camp faces visitor decline amid flood recovery

The Skukuza Camp, nestled within Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, is grappling with a marked downturn in visitor numbers following devastating floods that have severely impacted infrastructure in the region.

Multiple camps, roads, and bridges across both Mpumalanga and Limpopo have borne the brunt of the recent deluge, leaving many areas within the park partially operational as officials continue to assess the extent of the damage.

As recovery efforts are underway, some positive signs are emerging. Visitors at Skukuza Camp are currently experiencing a partial return of services.

One visitor was quoted as saying, “It’s a pity all the roads are not accessible because of the rain. Gravel roads are not accessible. But we had a good day. We had some sightings of lions this morning; we had an elephant. So, crocodile. Looking forward to being able to access all the roads again.”

The floods forced the closure of numerous camps, with bridges rendered unusable and park gates shuttered, which compounded the strain on the local economy reliant on tourism.

Staff members expressed their relief at the partial reopening, yet voiced concerns over the ongoing impacts on both their work and the visitor experience.

“Working here at Skukuza, it affected us because a lot of camps had to be shut down due to the bridges not operating and the gates also being closed. A lot of roads were damaged, which affected business.

''It also affected guests that wanted to come to the Kruger as well. It made working for us difficult. It made life for the guests also difficult. It’s still partly affecting us, but it’s not as bad because we’re operating partly now,” a staff member explained.

As recovery efforts continue and access is restored, both visitors and employees hope for a swift return to normalcy so that the camp can once again thrive as a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

THE STAR