Kruger: Don't hang out of cars
2006-12-14 22:16
Nelspruit - Visitors to the Kruger National Park who get out of their cars or hang out of the windows this festive season will not only be risking life and limb - their wallets will take a hammering too.
The park's executive director, Dr Bandile Mkhize, said offenders would be slapped with fines of up to R1 500.
"Animals have learnt to accept the shape of motor vehicles ... this is why they will often get quite close without any stress or concern," said Mkhize.
"But as soon as the shape of the vehicle is interfered with by someone protruding above the roofline or a window, the animal will probably run away.
"This obviously spoils the experience for everyone else at that particular game sighting so anyone caught protruding or alighting can be given a fine up to R1 500, depending on the seriousness of the situation."
Late driving, speeding
Late driving and speeding in the park are also common problems.
"Visitors who arrive late at the camps or entrance gates can expect to be fined up to R1 000, depending on how late they are," said Mkhize.
The park's gates close at 18:30 daily from November to February.
"Our traffic officials are also going to show no mercy with people who break the park's speed limits, which are 50km/h on tar roads and 40km/h on gravel roads," said Mkhize.
People who litter or play their sound systems loudly in the park will also face "serious fines", Mkhize said.
"Kruger National Park rangers, protection services personnel and traffic officials will be on high alert this festive season and will have a zero tolerance approach to anyone found breaking the rules.
"We don't mean to scare anyone away from enjoying their holiday in the Kruger, but we do get repeated [complaints] from our law-abiding guests that their holidays are spoiled by those who feel the rules don't apply to them."
The park's regulations have been printed on leaflets handed out at the gates and are displayed on notice boards at all entrances and camp gates.
Mkhize said guests who spotted others breaking the rules should contact the park's emergency call centre on (013) 7354325.
- African Eye