KNP GATE QUOTAS IN FORCE DURING THE 2013 FESTIVE SEASON

With the festive season around the corner, The Kruger National Park (KNP) would like to remind Day Visitors about the gate quotas when planning their holiday.

To avoid disappointment, Day Visitors are urged to book in advance in order to secure their entry in the park since daily quotas will be strictly enforced throughout the festive seaso...n period.

The procedure is that once the daily quota has been reached, only people with valid bookings would be allowed in. Day Visitors who pre-book their visit are expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of R32 per adult and R16 per child; which is meant to secure their space because they would have been counted in the number that make the daily quota.

Although in operational all throughout the year, the gate quotas are mostly reached during long weekends and public holidays. “If anyone is planning a visit on those days, it is recommended that they either arrive at the gate very early in the morning as the service is on first come first served basis or pre-book their entrance via Central Reservations (012 428 9111)”; explained the KNP’s GM: Communications and Marketing, William Mabasa.

There have been instances where some of the pre-booked Day Visitors arrived at the gate and expected to be excluded from paying the Conservation Fees. Mabasa went on to advise Day Visitors to take note that even if they have pre-booked for their visit, this does not exempt them from paying Conservation Fees upon arrival at the gate but booking only secures them entry.

Day Visitors with advanced bookings are also expected to arrive at the booked gate by no later than 13:00 on the date of the booking, because after 13:00 the booking lapses.

To enhance efficiency at the gates, various security structures as well as honorary rangers will be deployed in order to assist gate staff with managing the queues and other different services of the gates.

“All visitors are also reminded to adhere to the rules and regulations of the KNP, with particular emphasis on littering, speeding, getting out of cars, loud noises; otherwise it becomes one of the potential areas of possible conflict between park officials and the public.” “We also request visitors to plan their trip by observing gate opening and closing times so that they do not find themselves arriving late at the camps or gates either on their way in or out of the Park;” concluded Mabasa.

Each gate has its limited number of Day Visitors that can be allowed per day e.g. Kruger Gate 750 and 500 for the other gates such as Punda Maria, Pafuri, Phalaborwa, Giriyondo, Orpen, Phalabowa, Phabeni, Numbi, Malelane Crocodile Bridge.