SANParks has warned visitors to the Garden Route National Park to remain vigilant due to severe weather risks. An Orange Level 8 warning forecasts disruptive rainfall of 100 to 200 mm. Schools in George, Knysna and Oudtshoorn will close on Wednesday and Thursday.
SANParks Spokesperson JP Louw announced that all water-based activities, including canoeing and boating, as well as hiking and trail activities in the Wilderness section of Garden Route National Park, are temporarily closed. Hiking and cycling trails in the Knysna and Tsitsikamma sections have also been shut down due to increased flooding risks from severe weather.
This follows an Orange Level 8 warning issued by the South African Weather Service on May 5, 2026, predicting rainfall totals of 100 to 200 mm, gale force winds and high sea swells in the Garden Route and Little Karoo regions from Tuesday evening until Thursday.
The Western Cape Department of Education confirmed closures for all schools in George, Knysna and Oudtshoorn on Wednesday and Thursday. Education Minister David Maynier stated, “The affected schools have received official notice of the closure from the head of department and have been requested to communicate the closure to parents. All other schools in the Western Cape will be open unless approval has been granted for closure, which will be done on a case-by-case basis. Our default position is always to keep schools open and only to close schools in exceptional circumstances.”
Municipalities in the affected areas are bracing for the storm surge, with disaster officials highlighting the potential for widespread disruption.
