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Kruger National Park urges locals to visit the park

Kruger National Park
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Kruger National Park authorities say they are doing everything possible to attract tourists, especially locals, as the tourism industry is seriously affected by COVID-19. The number of tourists who visit the park has significantly dropped due to the pandemic.

“The bookings have gone down like the industry itself globally it has suffered quite a lot. so our tourism bookings have gone down but surprisingly we have seen that the camping site is actually the one that is fully booked up to now. So we still have openings for people that would like to make late bookings for accommodation in the park,” says Kruger National Park Spokesperson, Ike Phaahla.

As the travel and tourism industry recovers, Kruger National Authorities are looking at other possible ways of attracting visitors. Among other things they are hoping that an old train converted into a new luxurious hotel will attract more visitors.

The train is stationary on a bridge, and this is exactly where a train with tourists would remain parked overnight in the olden days.

Manager for the Shalati Safari Lodge is Judiet Barnes explains: “This is a world first built right here in South Africa, it’s a stationary train hotel which is positioned here in Skukuza, the Kruger National Park. It is a re-imagined train, so it’s old trains that we’ve restored to be completely different on the inside because the train is stationary we could really play around with what we can do inside. So while it looks like a very traditional train on the outside, once you enter your rooms are something completely unseen inside. It’s a luxury product, you’ve got your super king-size bed, you’ve got glass sides you can really look the views from the Sabie River which flows underneath the bridge.”

A luxurious train hotel opened the Kruger National Park:

Kruger Parks has called on locals to also visit the park, especially during the festive season.

Phaahla is urging those who would be visiting the park during the festive season to follow all coronavirus regulations.

 

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