Kruger National Park faces massive flood damage, recovery fund launched

Following severe flooding that devastated South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Willie Aucamp has announced the establishment of a dedicated recovery fund to rebuild the park’s infrastructure and support long-term conservation efforts.

Speaking on Wednesday, Minister Aucamp described the damage as extensive, affecting both critical infrastructure and tourism operations.

“In the Kruger National Park alone, the damage to critical infrastructure is so widespread that SANParks is estimating that the damage possibly runs into hundreds of millions,” he said.

Despite the destruction, Aucamp stressed the importance of safety, saying that “the most important highlight is that no lives were lost. SANParks’ highly effective early warning systems and the swift, coordinated response of park management and emergency services means that all guests and staff were safely evacuated.”

The floods, which struck from 9 to 19 January 2026, have closed 15 camps and made several roads and bridges impassable.

Tourist entries during this period dropped by 41% compared to the previous year, highlighting the immediate economic impact.

“There is no doubt that the Park faces immediate to medium term revenue loss as a result, SANParks generates close to 80% of its operating budget, therefore the destruction of its tourism flagship puts the sustainability of the entire network of parks at risk,” Aucamp said.

The new SANParks Kruger Recovery Fund aims to mobilize national and international support for the park’s restoration. Minister Aucamp said the fund “will be administered with strong fiduciary oversight and credibility to attract national and international donors,” with independent governance provided by three audit firms on SANParks’ panel.

Already, public support has poured in, with pensioners, young people, and organisations stepping forward. Notably, the Honorary Rangers and internationally acclaimed author Tony Park have pledged support.

“I am grateful to the Honorary Rangers and Mr Park for their support and enthusiasm for saving our beloved Kruger National Park. I believe that this is the beginning of history in the making,” Aucamp said.

The minister urged the public to contribute only to official channels, emphasizing that “the SANParks’ Kruger Recovery Fund and Honorary Rangers’ Kruger Flood 2026 Fund are the only two legitimate funds authorised to receive donations for the recovery efforts.”

Detailed assessments of road and camp damages reveal significant disruption across the park. In the north, regions including Punda Maria, Shingwedzi, and Letaba remain inaccessible, while southern camps such as Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie are also closed.

Several major roads, including the H1-4 Letaba to Mopani bridge and H4-1 Skukuza to Lower Sabie bypasses, have been washed away.

Minister Aucamp described the Kruger as not just a conservation site but an economic lifeline for surrounding communities.

“The Kruger National Park is not just a conservation landscape, it is an economic lifeline for the region, a symbol of our national heritage, and a globally recognised conservation asset,” he said.

As the park celebrates its centenary this year, the minister called on South Africans and the international community to assist in rebuilding.

“With the collective support of our communities, corporate partners, and international friends, we will rebuild and ensure that Kruger remains a sanctuary for wildlife and people for generations to come,” he said.

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