By Kopano Dibakwane
In a bid to ensure improved visitor experience, SANParks(South African National Parks) has announced the temporary closure of the Skukuza Safari Lodge at the Kruger National Park.
SANParks Communication Officer, JP Louw, said the temporary closure is meant to facilitate change of management and refurbishments to improve the SANParks Commercialisation Strategy.
According to Louw, the Commercialisation Strategy seeks to enhance parks as nature tourism destinations by diversifying tourism offerings in partnership with the private sector.
“ SANParks undertook a public tender process for the appointment of a private operator to manage the lodge for a period of 10 years. The appointed operator is a joint venture between Tourvest Holdings(PTY)Ltd and Karibu Leisure Resort.
“ Tourvest Holdings will be represented by AHA Hotels and Lodges, who is the tourism property management company of Tourvest Accommodation Activities. Karibu Resort is owned by its founder CEO(Chief Executive Officer) Nyeleti Mushwana and has world-class conference facilities,” said Louw.
He said that the 256-bed lodge is expected to open its doors based on a management agreement between SANParks and the joint venture.
“ In co-operation with SANParks, the joint venture will manage, operate and maintain the Skukuza Safari Lodge and the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre situated adjacent to the lodge. The exact opening date will be communicated in due course,” said Louw.
He added that this intervention is also a deliberate effort to create BBBEE(Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment) opportunities and advance transformation of the tourism industry.
“ In the past twenty years this strategy earned SANParks an income of R1,512 billion through its public-private partnerships. The revenue generated contributes significantly to the funding of conservation and the overall sustainability of SANParks,” he said.
Louw furthermore stated that SANParks Tourism PPP(Public-Private Partnership) portfolio has expanded to 60 diverse projects spanning accommodation, restaurants, retail and activities.
