We’re thrilled to share that Garonga will be reopening on 4th March, fresh from its annual maintenance closedown — and despite a few challenges thrown its way this season, the bush is calling and the camp is ready to welcome you back.
The January floods were no small thing across the Limpopo region, and Garonga was not entirely spared. While the surrounding roads took a real beating, we’re pleased to report that the camps themselves came through with minimal damage. The team has been working tirelessly ever since to get everything shipshape.
Getting Here: The Journey is Part of the Adventure
Flying into Hoedspruit / Eastgate Airport
Here’s a great piece of news if you’re flying in from Cape Town or Johannesburg — the long runway at Eastgate has been completely resurfaced, with contractors working around the clock in a genuinely impressive feat of dedication. The first SafAir Boeing 737-800 touched down again on 17th February, which means your journey from the Cape is smooth sailing once more. The shorter runway never missed a beat throughout, so flights have been ticking along as normal.
On the Road
If you’re travelling along the R526/R71 between Mica and Gravelotte — the route that passes our Dirt Road entrance — just factor in an extra 15 to 20 minutes, as repair work is actively underway. Think of it as a gentle warm-up for the slower, softer pace of bush life ahead.
Once you turn off onto the dirt roads leading to Garonga, high clearance vehicles will find the route perfectly accessible, though a little mindful driving in certain spots is all that’s needed. The river and drainage crossings are open, temporary repairs are in place, and the team is keeping a close eye on everything. There’s still a little surface water around — a reminder of just how much rain this land soaked up — and the road to MCH Luxury Tented Camp from Safari Camp needs a little more drying out before full repairs can begin.
The Work Behind the Scenes
A trusted local plant machinery company is taking on the bigger task of properly repairing and improving all six road crossings over the coming months. With a team of around 16 people on the ground, progress is steady — some areas simply need more time to dry before heavy machinery can move in, and that’s just the nature of working with the land rather than against it. The reserve’s own TLB will be chipping in to tidy up the access roads as things dry out.
The power cable and water line have both been repaired and are running well, with plans to make them more robust going forward.
The wider reserve has faced its own share of flood damage, particularly to fencing, and those repairs are ongoing. It’s a big job with a lot of ground to cover, but the teams are on it.
Right now, sunny spells are doing wonderful work drying everything out, and the landscape is that extraordinary, lush shade of green that only comes after good rains. Do keep in mind that the rainy season runs through to April, so there may still be the odd dramatic afternoon storm — which, honestly, is one of the most spectacular things you can witness from a safari camp.
We can’t wait to have guests back around the fire, out on game drives, and breathing in that incomparable bushveld air. If you have any questions head to www.garonga.com