NATURE’S VALLEY NEWS - Nature’s Valley camp in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park has been temporarily closed following persistent heavy rainfall linked to the South African Weather Service’s Orange Level 8 weather warning.

All guests were safely evacuated as rising water levels affected the area. The Groot River Mouth at Nature’s Valley has since opened naturally, allowing floodwaters to drain from the camp.

In the Knysna Section of the park, the Thesen Island office has also been closed due to strong winds and heavy rain. Flooding was reported inside the front office, while sections of the building sustained wind damage. Authorities have warned that roads in low-lying areas near the Knysna Estuary could be closed as coastal surges and high tide conditions continue.

Further east, in the Wilderness Section, all campers have been relocated to formal accommodation facilities. The North Camp at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp has been closed, while the Touw River Mouth and Swartvlei Mouth were artificially opened to help manage rising water levels.

All hiking, cycling and water-based activities across the park remain suspended as conditions continue to pose a safety risk.

SANParks teams, working alongside disaster management agencies, remain deployed across affected areas, with infrastructure damage assessments expected once weather conditions improve.

Authorities confirmed that all sections of the Garden Route National Park remain under close monitoring, with restricted access in several areas due to flooding and related storm impacts.

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