Severe Rainfall and Flood Damage in Hoedspruit | HERD Responds to Growing Environmental Impact 

Hoedspruit, South Africa – 14 January 2026

HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development) is currently responding to extreme rainfall and flooding impacting Hoedspruit and surrounding conservation areas, with increasing concern around damage to the land, reserve infrastructure, and sensitive ecosystems.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Orange Level 9 warning, classifying the region as high-risk for flooding, with further intense precipitation expected through Saturday.

Over the past several days, the region has recorded 256mm of rainfall since Saturday, following an already unusually wet December and ongoing storm systems affecting the broader catchment area.

Flooding and land damage: a growing conservation concern

While rainfall is a natural and important part of the ecosystem’s renewal cycle, the volume and intensity currently being experienced is causing widespread disruption and direct land impact, including:

• Severe flooding of roads, low-lying bridges, and surrounding areas
• Rapidly rising rivers and streams, including the Klaserie River
• Strong water flow across saturated soils, leading to erosion and instability
• Mudslides and damaged drainage systems
• Extensive road collapse risk, with routes turning into flowing rivers
• Access restrictions, with multiple regional routes impassable or under assessment

This scale of flooding creates serious concerns for the landscape, including:

• Topsoil loss and erosion
• Damage to riverbanks and vegetation
• Sediment run-off into waterways
• Increased stress on already vulnerable land systems

The flood risk remains elevated as water levels stay high, and concern continues around potential surges should upstream infrastructure fail under pressure.

HERD’s response: protecting elephants, people, and place

HERD has implemented strict safety protocols to ensure the well-being of elephants, carers, staff, and the wider conservation area.

Key actions currently in place include:

• Moving the elephants and carer teams to secure, elevated terrain, away from river systems
• Limiting movement across affected areas due to unstable ground conditions
• Preventing non-essential travel for staff to reduce risk
• Maintaining readiness for further response measures should conditions escalate

At this stage, HERD is not entering certain impacted areas until routes and terrain can be confirmed safe, as the structural integrity beneath flood water remains uncertain.

Wildlife impact and monitoring

Wildlife in the region is currently considered safe. Animals naturally relocate to higher ground during extreme weather events and are able to move freely across elevated terrain.

HERD teams will begin damage and conservation impact assessments as soon as conditions allow safe access, focusing on:

• Erosion and land degradation hotspots
• Waterway changes and damage to vegetation corridors
• Infrastructure damage affecting reserve operations and animal movement

Our priority

HERD’s priority remains the safety of our elephants, staff, guests, and the surrounding conservation community, while carefully monitoring the impact of this flooding on the land and the recovery that will be required.

We thank our supporters, partners, and guests for their understanding during this period of severe and unpredictable weather.

Media Contacts

Lerissa van Biljon | Media Manager

media@herd.org.za | +27 (0)63 035 0507

Marlien van der Westhuizen | Fundraising and PR Manager

pr@herd.org.za | +27 (0) 67 325 6922