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Media Release - 2 June 2004

Upgraded Pafuri Gate officially opened

The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park, Dr Bandile Mkhize and The Honorable Hosi Joas Makuleke officially opened the upgraded Pafuri Entrance Gate in the Far Nothern region of the KNP today (June 2, 2004).

The R2.5-million upgrade of Pafuri Entrance Gate has seen the complex itself moved to the boundary of the Makuya Park. It is believed that this will also facilitate further tourism developments of the Makuleke Contractual Park and Limpopo Province’s Makuya Park as it makes the area more attractive and user-friendly.

The South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) provided the funds for the upgrade as it forms an important component of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) initiative.

The original Pafuri Entrance Gate and the road linking it to the KNP road network originally opened to the public during the early 1970s. Before then, the area was only open for the winter months as it was considered to hot and uncomfortable for tourists to visit the region.

Other developments in the Kruger National Park’s Far Northern Region, which are aimed at easing access to the entire GLTP, include the upgrade of various roads in the area, the upgrade of the Pafuri Border Post with Mozambique, the creation of a border post at Giriyondo and various other capital projects. All these projects will be funded by a R40-million grant from DEAT.

“It gives me great pleasure to formally open this facility and we trust that the development of this area will create a win-win relationship with everyone concerned, including the Makuleke Community, our Transfrontier Park colleagues in Mozambique and Zimbabwe and the Kruger National Park itself,” said Dr Mkhize.

… Ends

Officially opening the facilities at the new Pafuri Entrance Gate are (left) Hosi Joas Makuleke and the Executive Director of the Kruger National Park Dr Bandile Mkhize.

The opening of the Pafuri Entrance Gate was a cultural celebration as the members of the Makuleke Community stand to benefit with increased tourism income.

The new gate complex at Pafuri.

Issued by:
Raymond Travers
Media Relations Practitioner
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4116
Cell: 082 908 2677
E-mail: raymondt@sanparks.org

Enquiries:
William Mabasa
HOD: Public Relations and Communications
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363
Cell: 082 807 3919
E-mail: williamm@sanparks.org