Kruger National Park(KNP) is one of those South African spots that attracts many travellers all year long. South African National Parks revealed in a statement that day visitors would need to pre-book their visits as there will be quotas. The Day Visitor Quota for the Park is a management tool to prevent overcrowding the roads and facilities and is applied throughout the year although we mostly reach carrying capacity during long weekends and school holidays resulting in us having to turn visitors away. Visitors will be able to book up to 80% of Day Visitor Quota per gate via SANParks Reservations offices and online at www.sanparks.org.The times are as follows: 5:30 am to 07:30 am, 7:30 am to 9:30 am and 09:30 onwards
Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away. These bookings can be changed as well through SANParks Reservations offices if need be.
KNP’s GM: Communications and Marketing, Ike Phaahla, said they want to manage the crowds so that all visitors will enjoy a pleasurable experience.
“For busy periods such as the school holidays and festive season, we aim to better manage the volumes that we expect, as well as our visitors’ expectations. The three different time slots are aimed at improving the spread of vehicles and, as far as possible prevent unnecessary waiting periods at gates”, said Phaahla.
Phaala also reminded visitors to read the permit to familarise themselves with the rules and regulations of the park.
“Day visitors may not bring liquor as a result of the alcohol ban in public areas of the Park. Further, visitors must please also refrain from committing other infringements such as littering, speeding and alighting from vehicles in places where this is prohibited in the Park. These and other Park rules are emphasized to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience, while not impacting other visitors, and hence must be adhered to at all times whilst in the Park. Visitor Management vehicles will also be on patrol; providing information to guests, visibility on the roads and law enforcement in the Park;” he advised.
Visitors can report any rules and regulations infringement which they witness to the Emergency Call Centre numbers 013 735 4064/013 735 0197 or 076 801 9679.
Important information before you go:
- Day Visitor pre- bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R43 per adult and R22 per child.
- Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter the Park. The Conservation Fee for SA residents as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R93 per adult and R47 per child (between ages 2 – 11). For nationals of Eswatini (previously Swaziland) and other SADC countries the conservation fees are R186 per adult and R93 per child. For all other guests the standard conservation fees of R372 for adults and R186 for children applies.
- Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild.
- The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
- All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver’s license, identity document or passport); please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.