Tourists airlifted from Kruger Park

2013-01-21 17:30

Kruger Park flooding (Picture: Beeld)

Johannesburg - Torrential rains in the Kruger National Park have forced the emergency rescue of dozens of tourists and staff from the wildlife reserve, officials said on Monday.

At least 15 tourists were airlifted to safety while several camps, roads and entrance gates to the giant park were closed.

Much of the country has been pelted with heavy rains in recent days, and more rain is expected over the next two days, the park said.

The downpours forced 70 staff and an unknown number of tourists to be evacuated from one camp alone.

The weather has also caused havoc at the northern Mapungubwe National Park, a World Heritage site, which has been closed with some roads to the area washed away.

- AFP