Guests evacuated after fire at Kruger National Park rest camp

Guests at Olifants Rest Camp had to be evacuated and relocated to nearby rest camps after a fire broke out at the camp on Tuesday night at Kruger National Park.

According to a statement released by South African National Parks (SANParks), while the fire was contained, it proved impossible to remove the belongings of guests and three chalets were evacuated.

In a video shared to the social media platform, TikTok, the three chalets can be seen gutted by the fire.

@curt_is_wild Allegedly someone didn't put their fire out ?😮 #fire #kruger ♬ original sound - Curt Is Wild

This fire is just one of two fire incidents reported to have occurred at the park on Tuesday. The first fire occurred at Satara Rest Camp, where embers from a braai fire landed on the thatch roof of a chalet, setting it alight.

SANParks said the park was experiencing hot, windy, and dry weather conditions.

“Visitors are urged to extinguish braai fires immediately after utilisation for purposes such as cooking food.

“This will greatly minimise the possible risk of fire with its consequent damage to structures and the environment,” said SANParks.

The authority also extended its gratitude to the emergency response teams, rangers and Phalaborwa Fire Brigade for their speedy response and assistance.

Meanwhile, police at Masisi, in the Vhembe District of Limpopo, have arrested five men between the ages of 28 and 42 at Bennde-Mutale and Nkotswi villages for defeating the ends of justice and illegal hunting.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, provincial police spokesperson in Limpopo, said the men were arrested on Sunday.

The group of men was illegally hunting for buffalo in Kruger National Park when one of them was attacked by a buffalo.

“The group shot the buffalo and one of the accomplices removed the injured victim, who was deceased, from the scene and placed him next to the fence of the park. One of them returned home to inform relatives to come and pick him up,” said Ledwaba.

A relative went and picked up the deceased man’s body.

“When they arrived at home, they informed the undertaker about the deceased, and the body was collected.

The undertaker, after discovering that the deceased had multiple injuries, notified the police,” said Ledwaba.

The police have opened cases of inquest, defeating the ends of justice and illegal hunting.

The five arrested men are set to appear before the Masisi Magistrate’s Court this week in connection with the charges.

The Mercury