Kruger Flood Recovery Fund Launched

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has provided a comprehensive update on the impact of recent floods on the Kruger National Park and surrounding provinces, while announcing the establishment of the SANParks Kruger Recovery Fund to support long-term restoration efforts.

Speaking on Thursday, 22 January 2026, the Minister said his recent visit to the flood-stricken park left a lasting impression on him, describing the scale of destruction as devastating. The severe weather has affected not only the Kruger National Park but large parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, where lives have been lost and homes and critical infrastructure damaged. He reaffirmed that the declaration of a National Disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act of 2002 was both necessary and appropriate.

In the Kruger National Park alone, damage to infrastructure is estimated to run into hundreds of millions of rand. Roads, bridges, water systems and electricity services have been severely affected, while staff villages and tourist accommodation have also suffered extensive damage. Despite the scale of destruction, the Minister highlighted that no lives were lost inside the park, crediting SANParks’ early warning systems and the swift response of park management and emergency services for the safe evacuation of all staff and visitors.

The floods have had a significant impact on tourism operations. Fifteen camps remain closed, some of them completely inaccessible due to washed-away roads and bridges. Temporary gate closures are still in place in certain areas, limiting both day and overnight visits. Between 9 and 19 January 2026, the park recorded 24,073 guest entries, a decline of 41 per cent compared to the same period last year. The Minister warned that this will result in immediate to medium-term revenue losses, placing pressure on SANParks, which generates nearly 80 per cent of its operating budget through tourism.

The latest floods have compounded challenges from previous flooding in 2023, from which the park was still recovering. According to the Minister, the combined impact has exceeded existing contingency and maintenance budgets, increasing the risk of prolonged recovery delays, environmental degradation and socio-economic consequences for surrounding communities.

To address these challenges, the Minister confirmed the establishment of the SANParks Kruger Recovery Fund, which he said is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the park as a national heritage asset and economic driver. The fund will be administered with strict fiduciary oversight through three independent audit firms on SANParks’ panel, providing transparency and accountability to donors.

Support for the fund has already been received from across society, including pensioners, young people, and both local and international organisations. The SANParks Honorary Rangers will play a key role through their “Kruger Flood 2026 Fund” fundraising campaign, while internationally acclaimed author Tony Park has also committed to supporting the recovery efforts.

The Minister cautioned the public that the SANParks Kruger Recovery Fund and the Honorary Rangers’ Kruger Flood 2026 Fund are the only legitimate channels authorised to receive donations, warning against the risk of fraudulent fundraising during times of crisis.

Providing an update on conditions in the park, the Minister said several roads in both the northern and southern regions remain inaccessible, with multiple rest camps closed due to flood damage. While Malelane, Numbi and Paul Kruger gates remain open, access is controlled through an entry quota system, and the northern and southern regions of the park are still cut off from each other.

Concluding his address, the Minister called on South Africans and the international community to support the recovery of the Kruger National Park. He emphasised that the park is not only a conservation area but an economic lifeline for the region and a symbol of South Africa’s natural heritage. As the park marks its centenary this year, he said collective action is vital to ensure it remains protected for future generations.