Mbombela —The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has confirmed that all tourist attractions under its management have reopened following temporary closures caused by severe weather earlier in the month.
The reopening followed a period of disruption along the Panorama Route after persistent heavy rainfall forced the closure of several of Mpumalanga’s most visited attractions, including Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, the Three Rondavels and Swadini Forever Resort.
Between 10 and 12 January 2026, heavy rainfall caused flooding and damage to access roads and tourism infrastructure in parts of Mpumalanga, particularly in the Lowveld and along the Panorama Route. From 12 January 2026, MTPA temporarily closed selected sites after safety assessments identified risks related to slippery walkways, unstable terrain, rising water levels and damaged access routes.
In a statement announcing the reopening on 21 January 2026, MTPA said the closures followed post-rainfall safety assessments. “The safety of visitors remains a top priority,” the agency said, adding that some roads may still be slippery and urging tourists to exercise caution when visiting the sites.
Although the closures were temporary, their economic impact was felt across the tourism value chain, particularly by businesses dependent on uninterrupted visitor access.
Oupa Pilane, Special Attaché for Tourism Development and Transformation at the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) and co-founder of Graskop Gorge Lift, said the flooding resulted in “regrettable revenue losses for many businesses, from small guesthouses and tour operators to larger attractions along the Panorama Route and in surrounding areas.”
While no public statements were issued by individual Panorama Route accommodation providers, confirmed reports from the wider Greater Kruger tourism region show that flooding directly disrupted accommodation operations.
Several lodges in and around the Greater Kruger area cancelled incoming bookings and evacuated guests after access roads became impassable. SANParks confirmed that visitors affected by weather-related closures would not be penalised for cancellations and would be assisted with refunds or alternative bookings. Pilane said the flooding caused “real hardship for tourism-dependent communities, entrepreneurs and workers who rely on visitor footfall for their livelihoods,” reinforcing calls for coordinated recovery measures.
Sector priorities now include repairing damaged infrastructure, strengthening climate resilience, improving communication during disruptions and diversifying tourism offerings to reduce dependence on weather-sensitive attractions.
MTPA has encouraged tourists to explore attractions across the province, including those in Nkangala and Gert Sibande, as travel conditions stabilise. As attractions reopen, the focus shifts to ensuring that Mpumalanga’s tourism economy not only recovers, but is better positioned to withstand future disruptions.
