Marakele National Park

Media Release: Marakele National Park safe following a fire break

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Date: 15th October 2010

South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a statement yesterday that tourists planning to visit the Marakele National Park in Thabazimbi this week are free to book and make use of the park following a fire blaze in the mountainous area of the park.

According to the park spokesperson, Antionet van Wyk a preliminary area survey report done after the fire was contained indicated that 45% of the 67,000 hectares of land was destroyed. “We are thankful that no deaths or damage to property occurred during the fire as most of the animals and tourism infrastructure are in the plains of the area and not in the mountains.”

She said adequate measures were taken to protect the infrastructure in the area with the help from the Marakele Working on Fire and the South African National Parks Rangers based in the park … “Hence we would like to inform members of the public and visitors to the park that it is safe to book accommodation in Marakele National Park.”  

The fire that started raging on Thursday last week in a farm adjacent to Marakele National Park was completely put down yesterday.“Bookings at the Park camps; (Tlopi tented and Bontle Camps) are still open and visitors can still make use of the facilities, says van Wyk. 

For information on SANParks bookings visit www.sanparks.org or call Central Reservations on (012) 428 9111 or e-mail: reservations@sanparks.org

Issued by:              
SANParks Corporate Communications                               

Media Enquiries:     
- Wanda Mkutshulwa: Head Communications, South African National Parks, Tel: (012) 426-5201 or 082 908 2692
- Cassius Selala: Northern Cluster Communications officer, South African National Parks, Tel: (012) 426-5195 or 078 223 6682