MINISTER MAYNIER MARKS MAJOR FLOOD-RECOVERY PROGRESS IN KRUGER AND ANNOUNCES KICKOFF OF SA NATIONAL PARKS WEEK
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr David Maynier, marked the completion and opening of critical flood-recovery infrastructure in the Kruger National Park, while calling for stronger partnerships to build climate-resilient infrastructure across South Africa’s national parks.
The two-day programme, held on 6 and 7 September 2026, included the handover of reconstructed culverts on the H4-1 route between Skukuza and Lower Sabie, a ribbon-cutting at the restored Letaba High-Level Bridge, and a walkabout through reopened tourism facilities at Letaba Rest Camp. The programme also coincided with the start of the 21st annual SA National Parks Week.
Minister Maynier said the completed projects demonstrated that restoring infrastructure after extreme weather events could not be limited to replacing what had been damaged.
“Our recovery efforts must be about more than rebuilding. We must use each project as an opportunity to strengthen resilience, reduce vulnerability and ensure that our national parks remain safe, functional and accessible in the face of increasingly severe weather events. Kruger National Park is the backbone of SANParks and a key driver of conservation and nature-based tourism in South Africa. When the Kruger Park succeeds, SANParks succeeds,” said Minister Maynier.
H4-1 TOURISM CORRIDOR RESTORED
On Sunday, 6 September, Minister Maynier officially handed over reconstructed culverts, identified as L27, L34 and L35, on the H4-1 road between Skukuza and Lower Sabie. The culverts were damaged during the February 2023 floods, which affected roads, bridges, tourism facilities and other critical infrastructure across Kruger National Park. Sections of the H4-1 road embankment collapsed, requiring temporary detours while reconstruction was undertaken.
The 10-month reconstruction project was completed on 31 July 2026 at a total cost of R37.5 million. The reconstructed culverts have wider openings to accommodate greater water flows, while stone pitching has been installed to protect the embankments and reduce damage in the event of water overtopping the structures. The H4-1 is one of Kruger’s busiest tourism routes and provides an important connection between Skukuza and Lower Sabie. It also supports conservation operations, staff mobility and emergency response within the Park.
“The successful reconstruction of these culverts shows what can be achieved through technical expertise, sound planning and institutional commitment. It also demonstrates why climate resilience must become a central consideration in the planning, construction and maintenance of public infrastructure,” said Minister Maynier.
LETABA CONNECTION AND TOURISM FACILITIES REINSTATED
On Monday, 7 September, Minister Maynier cut the ribbon at the restored Letaba High-Level Bridge before visiting Letaba Rest Camp, where tourism facilities damaged during the January 2026 floods are being progressively returned to service.
Work on the Letaba bridge commenced on 4 February 2026. The bridge was opened to traffic on 23 March 2026, reconnecting the northern and southern sections of Kruger. Final work, including sand sealing of the road, was completed on 28 August 2026. The R9.5 million project included the reconstruction and stone pitching of the damaged bridge approach, together with improved drainage.
At Letaba Rest Camp, 25 tourism units in Circles A to C have been restored at a cost of R19 million. The completed work includes furniture and 10 family cottages. A further 64 tourism units remain under restoration and are expected to reopen in phases, with completion anticipated by 30 November 2026.
The Minister also conducted a walkabout at the camp and ceremonially handed over the keys to one of the restored units to the Chairperson of the SANParks Board, Ms Beryl Ferguson. Minister Maynier said the reopening of the facilities was important to rebuilding confidence in Letaba as a tourism destination and maintaining access between northern and southern Kruger.
“Reliable roads, bridges and visitor facilities are essential to the functioning of a national park. They enable visitors to travel safely, but they also support ranger movement, scientific work, emergency response and the daily management of the Park,” the Minister said.
CALL FOR PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD CLIMATE-RESILIENT PARKS
Minister Maynier called on the tourism industry, financial institutions, infrastructure specialists, development partners and other private-sector stakeholders to work with SANParks and government in strengthening climate resilience across the national parks system. “Government and SANParks retain responsibility for the public mandate and the accountable management of national park infrastructure. However, the scale of the climate risk requires us to mobilise wider expertise, innovation and investment.” said Minister Maynier.
“We invite industry and other partners to work with us in using Kruger as a springboard for developing climate-resilient infrastructure solutions that can, where appropriate, be applied across South Africa’s national parks. These partnerships must be transparent, properly governed and fully aligned with SANParks’ mandate,” further added the Minister.
The Minister emphasised that the completed projects represented significant progress, but did not mark the end of the broader flood-recovery programme. “Today we recognise practical progress, but we also acknowledge that important recovery work remains. SANParks must continue to prioritise visitor safety, operational continuity, responsible expenditure and transparent reporting as the remaining projects are implemented,” he said.
SA NATIONAL PARKS WEEK OPENS PARKS TO SOUTH AFRICANS
The infrastructure handovers coincide with the start of the 21st annual SA National Parks Week, which takes place from 7 to 13 September 2026. The initiative provides South African day visitors with free access to participating national parks during designated periods. For Kruger National Park, West Coast National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park, free access applies from Monday, 7 September to Friday, 11 September 2026 and excludes the weekend.
Free access covers day entry only and does not include accommodation, guided activities, game drives or other paid tourism products. Namaqua National Park, the Boulders Penguin Colony section of Table Mountain National Park and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are excluded. Entry limits and other conditions may differ between participating parks.
Minister Maynier encouraged South Africans, particularly first-time visitors, families, young people and communities neighbouring national parks, to make use of the opportunity. “Our national parks are national assets and should be experienced and valued by South Africans from all walks of life. SA National Parks Week is an invitation to South Africans to connect with the country’s extraordinary natural and cultural heritage. It is also an invitation to share responsibility for the future of these places through responsible visitation and inclusive stewardship.”
The Minister was joined during the two-day programme by SANParks Board Chairperson Ms Beryl Ferguson, Board Tourism and Marketing Committee Chairperson Ms Rachel Nxele, SANParks Chief Executive Officer Ms Hapiloe Sello and the Managing Executive of Kruger National Park, Mr Oscar Mthimkhulu.
