Preparations for the December 4 solar eclipse at the Kruger National Park are already at an advanced stage, said Mr William Mabasa, Public Relations and Communications Officer of the park.

Mabasa said the bookings for this historic event have been received from local and international tourists. At the Shingwedzi camp in the northern part of the park, where a 100 percent eclipse will be experienced, a total of 2 302 day visitors' permits have already been sold to members of the public.

Mabasa said the Phalaborwa, Pafuri and Punda Maria gates will open earlier than normal on December 4. Phalaborwa will open at 02:30, Pafuri at 03:00 and Punda Maria at 04:00.

He said this would provide guests with day visitors' permits enough time to travel to the viewing sites for this historical occasion. However, he said day visitors without permits will only be allowed entry at the normal opening time.

Mabasa also said the day visitors' permits have to be purchased in advance at a cost of R50 for adults and R35 for children. He said the prices are only applicable for the December 4 eclipse event.

According to Mabasa, tourists who will enter the park during normal times will not pay these special tariffs, but the usual R30 and R15 for adults and children respectively. Accommodation in the normal rest camps is already fully booked. An additional 350 sites had been made available to house more visitors and only a few of these are still available.

Mabasa said the sites are only for camping and clients must provide their own camping equipment. Details on these sites and further information on bookings are available at the South African National Parks' reservations office on (012) 428-9111.

Three viewing sites have been identified within the 100 percent dark zone, where people will be allowed to alight from their vehicles and watch the eclipse under the protection of armed rangers. These are Dzombo, on the southern part of Shingwedzi River and Boyela and Nwarihlangari on the northern side of the river.

Members of the public in possession of the Impala Permit are advised that the permit will not be valid for entry into the park on December 4 before the normal opening time. People staying within the Kruger park or visiting during the week preceding and including December 4th, are invited to attend presentations highlighting the ethnic and indigenous aspects of the solar eclipse.

These presentations will include two afternoon sessions with evening sessions dedicated to stargazing. Presentation dates are Skukuza 26 and 27 November, Satara 28 and 29 November while Shingwedzi will be on December 3 and 4.