Nelspruit – Plans to open the world’s largest wildlife reserve, the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, next month are on track, said Kruger National Park (KNP) spokesperson Raymond Travers.

Mr Travers however said that a date for the opening, which will be officiated by the leaders of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, has not been decided yet.

"We’re not sure of the date but the opening of the park will definitely go ahead in August," he said.

The Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park will become the biggest wildlife reserve in the world at 100 000 square metres.

It will accommodate 147 different kinds of mammals, 505 bird species and 116 types of reptiles.

The mega-park links South Africa’s KNP with Mozambique’s Limpopo and Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park.

The park is made up of 58 percent South African, 24 percent Mozambican and 18 percent Zimbabwean territory.

"This is a long term project that will have great tourism opportunities in the future," said Mr Travers, adding that opportunities would come in the form of packages between the three countries.

"Tourists will have a chance to participate in activities across the countries,” he said.

Currently, international tourists travel to Cape Town, KNP and Johannesburg before returning home.

Mr Travers said tourists would now opt for the "Bush to Beach" experience, which involves visiting KNP and then traveling to Mozambican beaches.

KNP has meanwhile finished constructing the Giriyondo border post between the South African and Mozambican part of the Transfrontier Park.

The border post would control movements between the parks.

"A tourist will only need a passport when travelling through the Giriyondo post into Mozambique," he said.

Fences between the parks will however be brought down even though there will be a border post.

The removal of fences would allow animals to roam freely.

He warned that visitors who do not use the border post would be considered as illegal immigrants when they cross to the Mozambican or Zimbabwean side.

Mr Travers said the three countries would continue running the parks separately.

"Profits from Kruger will continue going through to South African National Parks and the same will apply in the Mozambican and Zimbabwean parks," he said.