Minister David Maynier on Bontebok National Park floods damage

Bontebok National Park open to the public following flood damage

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, David Maynier, visited the Bontebok National Park on 29 August 2026, to receive a briefing on the park’s recovery following severe flooding on the Breede River in the Western Cape in May 2026.

The flood resulted in severe damage to some of the park’s chalets, the picnic site, and the near complete destruction of the main access road to the accommodation area.  The total cost of repairing the damage is estimated to reach R12.3 million.

Minister Maynier congratulated the SANParks management team on their speedy response to the flooding: “Given the rate at which the river rose, the team had to act quickly to safely evacuate guests and save some of the park’s furnishings. The rapid emergency response is a real credit to the entire management team.”

The road has been repaired in record time, with stronger reinforcing forming part of the rehabilitation project, and a large amount of the debris carried by the flooding river has been removed from the accommodation area. 

Six of the park’s chalets, along with the campsite and three hiking trails (Aloe Hill, Acacia, and Termite trails), have now been reopened to the public. Work is underway to repair the remaining chalets, two hiking trails (Bushbuck and Ou Tuin), and the picnic site.

Minister Maynier encouraged the public to visit the park: ‘While there is still much work to be done, the park is open and is well worth a visit this beautiful part of the Western Cape. We look forward to seeing the Bontebok National Park go from strength to strength as repairs are completed and exciting new offerings become available for visitors.”

For media enquiries, please contact: 
Kerry Mauchline (Spokesperson to the Minister) 
Cell: 084 210 3003 / KMauchline@dffe.gov.za

Photos and video available here: https://tinyurl.com/bontebok082026

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