Wetland areas, despite their socioeconomic and environmental importance, are being invaded for development as the population grows, especially in areas challenged by water availability, like in the North-Eastern parts of South Africa. This area is made up of important wetland ecosystems with a coverage of 240 km2, involving the Kruger National Park. Through the Random Forest (RF) algorithm with satellite images, the LULC impacts were evaluated on this wetland. The analysis of satellite-derived maps with an accuracy performance range of 85–90% revealed a considerable loss in wetland coverage, with noticeable transitions into built-up areas and other vegetation types (bush encroachment). The wetland area declined by 82.54% between 1993 and 2023, indicating significant anthropogenic impacts, with the proportion of built-up areas increasing drastically by more than threefold to indicate a growth of 260.74%, while the other vegetation (including bushes, shrubs, small trees, grasses, and herbaceous vegetation) increased by 58.70%. These results emphasized the need to implement integrated land use planning strategies that could strike a balance between development and conservation efforts. However, a proper understanding of the complex relationships that occur within wetland ecosystems and coordinated efforts to mitigate threats posed by both natural and man-made factors are necessary for effective management of this important resource.