Chaos at Kruger: Free entry week sparks long queues and furious turn-aways

Kruger

South Africa’s annual SANParks Free Entry Week – a long-awaited opportunity for citizens to experience the country’s national parks at no cost – has seen unprecedented demand at Kruger National Park, with many visitors turned away after daily quotas were reached.

Kruger spokesperson Rey Thakuli said the park limits both people and vehicles entering each day to prevent congestion, protect infrastructure and ensure visitor safety.

“We allow people into the park based on the capacity of the gates and the infrastructure we have. We want to make sure that all the visitors are safe,” The Citizen quoted him as saying.

Even confirmed day-visit bookings do not guarantee entry once capacity is reached, making early arrival essential.

Queues formed as early as 5 a.m. at Kruger’s Phalaborwa Gate, which reached capacity by 9 a.m. on Heritage Day (24 September). The free entry week runs until Friday, 26 September, with quotas strictly enforced to safeguard both guests and the environment.

According to SABC News, several visitors voiced their disappointment after being denied entry.

“I am so angry and frustrated I was here at the gate unfortunately no one was assisting me, so I am not happy with this service”.

“Frustrations are too much, I was around here at 07:30 in the morning but the queue was very long and it was moving very slowly so now they have cut it saying we are no longer going inside, we must go back”.

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