Kruger National Park Floods: The Aftermath

Recovery requires R500 Million

National Disaster Declared After Devastating Floods

Kruger National Park suffered devastating floods in January, prompting the South African government to declare a National Disaster. The scale of destruction is severe, and Kruger needs urgent external support to recover. The SANParks Honorary Rangers will play acritical role in this process through the Kruger Flood 2026 Fund, which channels 100% ofdonations directly to recovery efforts.

Infrastructure Damage Across Kruger National Park

Roads, bridges, water infrastructure, and electrical systems have been extensively damaged, with much of it requiring complete reconstruction. Staff villages and touristaccommodation were destroyed or severely impacted. Several camps remain closed, andlarge sections of the park remain inaccessible due to washed-away infrastructure.

Impact on Tourism and Park Sustainability

Tourism, which funds approximately 80% of SANParks’ operating budget, has dropped sharply, placing the sustainability of park operations at serious risk. While the park remains open to visitors, clean-up operations are ongoing across affected areas.

On the Ground With SANParks Honorary Rangers

On 23 January, we spoke with John van Dyk, General Manager of Operations for the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) , the long-standing volunteer support team for SANParks. John had briefly stepped away from Kruger, we spoke while on traverse under a tree near Pongola.

Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Efforts

At the height of the flooding, the response was immediate and extraordinary — a trueall-hands-on-deck disaster relief effort. Around-the-clock mobilisation saw more than 1,300food parcels packed using donated supplies from supermarket chains, each weighing between 8 and 11 kilograms. Humanitarian aid agencies stepped in straight away with additional donations, lifting morale and reinforcing the incredible sense of unity on the ground. Helicopters carrying loads of up to 400 kilograms operated out of Skukuza and Phalaborwa, with pilots rotating continuously to deliver supplies as far as Pafuri and theremote Punda Maria area. Where possible, bakkies drove through floodwaters to deliver aid,a nd in some areas, even bicycles were used to reach those in need.

Recovery Efforts and Current Priorities

The scale of the damage is enormous, and the road to recovery will be long and demanding. Offers of assistance have continued to pour in, and the Kruger National Park DisasterManagement Team has issued a coordinated call to action as assessments progress and recovery moves into the next phase. Current priorities have shifted to clean-up operations,with critical supplies now required, including cleaning equipment, garden refuse bags, and hygiene products. Updates are being shared via the SANParks Honorary Rangers website.

Official Donation Channels for Kruger Flood Recovery

To ensure transparency and prevent the misdirection of funds, there are only two official and legal donation channels. The first fund, which was set up, is the SANParks Honorary Rangers Kruger Flood 2026 Fund, which directs 100% of donations to flood-relatedresponse and recovery. No administrative fees are deducted. This fund will remain active formany months and will also offer support towards the extensive infrastructure rebuildingrequired in the park.

The second official channel is the SANParks Kruger Recovery Flood Fund; details are onthe official SANParks website. Donors are urged to use only these verified platforms. Every contribution matters.

How Long Will Kruger’s Recovery Take?

When asked how long Kruger’s recovery “wish list” will be, John explained that it will continue to evolve as the recovery process unfolds.

This is why your help is critical.

Why Kruger National Park Matters

Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s oldest, largest, and most important protected areas,and one of the last strongholds on Earth for lions and rhinos. It contains fully functioning ecosystems that support complete food chains, from insects to apex predators. Kruger is home to approximately 500 bird species, 147 mammal species, 114 reptile species, andaround 50 fish species.

A Call to Action to Protect Kruger National Park

Urgent ongoing action is now critical to the survival of one of Africa’s most important protected areas.