In order to avoid the disappointment of arriving at a Kruger National Park (KNP) entrance gate, only to be turned away, KNP Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize has urged people to book, even if they are only coming to the KNP for a day.

During long weekends and public holidays, entrance gate quotas are often reached as people take the opportunity to visit the KNP on their day off. Christmas, New Year’s Day and the associated holidays over December are particularly popular and the KNP management believes that the KNP’s nine entrance gates will be very busy. The KNP management thus urges guests to book their day visits to avoid the disappointment of being turned away.

If the daily gate quotas, which vary between 350 and 750 people per gate (depending on the roads and tourism infra-structure in the vicinity), are reached, the gate is effectively closed. Only those guests who hold either gate or accommodation bookings will be allowed in after that.

The KNP limits volumes of people during busy times, depending on available tourism infrastructure in the area, like roads, toilets, picnic facilities, parking and other considerations. These gate quotas apply to all day visitors to the KNP, including Wild Card holders, but they do not affect overnight visitors with existing reservations.

In order to avoid disappointment as a day visitor, it is suggested that visitors book their day visit at a specific gate in advance. This can be done by contacting Central Reservations on telephone number (012) 428 9111 or email [email protected]

“We would like to urge our day visitors to book rather than risk arriving at the gate, only to be disappointed. The gate quotas are there for a good reason and we have to maintain them in order to safeguard the natural beauty of the Kruger National Park and to ensure that the experience is not spoiled for all. We also urge all visitors to take note of the rules and regulations of the Park as they are there so that everyone can enjoy the KNP,” said KNP Executive Director, Dr Bandile Mkhize.