Sunbird Lodge

29/05/2026

*TO ALL MEDIA / NEWS EDITORS*

*THURSDAY 28 MAY 2026*

*PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TO ADDRESS OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF KRUGER NATIONAL PARK CENTENARY*

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Saturday, 30 May 2026, address the official launch of the Kruger National Park (KNP) Centenary Commemoration at Skukuza Rest Camp in Mpumalanga.

The year 2026 marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s conservation history as Kruger National Park commemorates 100 years since its formal proclamation in 1926.

Held under the theme, “Our Heritage, Our Future,” the centenary commemorations will reflect on a century of conservation leadership, biodiversity protection, scientific progress, tourism development and heritage management.

This milestone also reaffirms the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability, inclusivity and shared heritage.

The centenary further provides an opportunity to honour the generations of rangers, scientists, communities, conservationists and leaders who contributed to the development and protection of one of the world’s most renowned protected areas.

The commemoration highlights the importance of collaborative partnerships in conservation, tourism and environmental sustainability, as well as the resilience and recovery of the Park following recent flooding that affected infrastructure, tourism operations and surrounding communities.

Kruger National Park remains one of South Africa’s leading conservation and tourism assets and continues to contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation, research, economic development and job creation.

The President will address the official launch as follows:

*Date:* Saturday, 30 May 2026

*Time:* 18h00

*Venue:* Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga

*Media enquiries:*

Vincent Magwenya

Spokesperson to the President

[email protected]

*ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA*

www.thepresidency.gov.za⁠

Pretoriao

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

Now its the Capes turn to get similiar weather to what we experienced in January. Its been horiffic.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DyXuuzsdc/

17/05/2026

In Kruger National Park, South Africa, veteran ranger Sipho Nkosi suffered a heart attack while on solo patrol. His vehicle was found empty, and search teams began looking for him.

What the park’s remote trail cameras revealed broke the hearts of everyone who saw the footage.

An old bull elephant — known to rangers as “Mnumzane” (Zulu for “Sir”) — had found Sipho’s body. For three full days and nights, the elephant refused to leave. He stood guard, gently touching the ranger with his trunk, chasing away hyenas and jackals that came too close, and even covering parts of the body with branches and leaves.

On the third night, the elephant was still there — visibly grieving, swaying slowly beside his fallen friend. Only when the full recovery team arrived with vehicles did Mnumzane finally step back, watching solemnly as they carried Sipho away.

Park officials later confirmed that Sipho had rescued this same elephant as a calf years earlier after poachers killed his mother. The elephant had never forgotten.

One colleague who viewed the footage whispered:

“He didn’t come to say goodbye. He came to make sure no one disrespected his brother.”

Mnumzane still visits the exact spot regularly. Rangers now leave fresh water and fruit there in honor of both.

10/05/2026

23/04/2026

Happy St Georges Day England!

21/04/2026

Update on Lower Sabie

Update on the Fire at Lower Sabie in KNP

Following a fire incident reported this morning, 21 April 2026 affecting the retail shop at Lower Sabie rest camp in the Kruger National Park, guests with bookings at the camp are advised to stock-up on supplies before arrival or get supplies e.g. wood, ice etc. at the other camps such as Skukuza, Crocodile Bridge, Satara, Tshokwane or Nkuhlu.

Accommodation has not been affected with the camp fully booked for the upcoming two long weekends, 27 April and 1st May 2026. Activities such as guided game drives and walks are continuing as normal: https://shorturl.at/9Ccjy

21/04/2026

All happening in the Kruger, fires , more floods, what’s next??

The ranger team and other staff members reacted quickly and managed to contain the fire before it could spread to other structures, said SANParks