A raging veld fire that broke out last week in the Mabuasehube area on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, has destroyed Polentswa Lodge, a nine-unit tented camp.

The fire was successfully contained on the South African side on Saturday morning (September 11) but it is reportedly still burning on the Botswana side of the park.

A Polentswa Lodge spokesperson told Tourism Update that the fires were difficult to control due to the speed of the wind, the heat and the overgrown grass.

Guests who were in the lodge at the time were safely evacuated to a sister lodge, Rooiputs, which is 200 kilometres from Polentswa.

Guests who have booked Polentswa will be offered Rooiputs as an alternative while Polentswa remains closed. Rooiputs Lodge has 12 chalets with a maximum capacity of 24 people.

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