Lower Sabie Rest Camp

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Bushcraft
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Re: Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Post by Bushcraft »

Dear Guests,
Further to the ongoing challenges that Lower Sabie rest camp in experiencing regarding the poor status of the tents, Management of the Kruger National Park have decided to close these tents for upgrade this current financial year 2017 – 2018.
The KNP management do acknowledge that bookings have been made in advance which will result in some of these bookings being moved to the available units in Lower Sabie camp or sister camps in the Kruger.
The other option would be to refund our guests money paid should it become difficult to move guests to available units. We would however be flexible to engage guests should they still wish to stay in some of the tents that are not in such a bad state and this will be on first come first serve and consent basis.
We have decided to close the tents starting from 13th February 2017 until the renovations or upgrades are completed.
Kind Regards,

KNP Management
Surely this decision should have been taken prior to booking opening for the period of renovation i.e. 11 months ago :-? I assume those who have booked these tents won't be impressed O** Reactive due to complaints :-? KNP needs proactive management O**

They are in need of renovation though, so at least that's positive


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Flutterby
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Re: Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Post by Flutterby »

Good initiative, bad planning! :O^


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Richprins
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Re: Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Post by Richprins »

What are they going to do about the baboons, one wonders? -O-


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H. erectus
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Re: State of the tents at lower Sabie

Post by H. erectus »

Shocking Stefan, to realize that they are out of touch
with their housekeeping. Not all tents are like that, meaning
that it should have been recognized and isolated long before.
stefan9 wrote:Sanparks are sending out mails to those booked into tents that they are cancelling 2017/2018.


Heh,.. H.e
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Richprins
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Re: State of the tents at lower Sabie

Post by Richprins »

To be honest this sounds like another drawn-out tender process for a maintenance contract. Instead of cocking up people's travel arrangements for a year, especially international who may have booked flights and vehicles etc, quick emergency action can surely be taken? This reflects poorly on SANParks, and is almost unheard of.

Just muster as many local contractors as possible to fix the existing tents ASAP, pending methodical replacement later of one or two units at a time? And have one chap chasing baboons all day every day? Quick but proper fixes can be done over a weekend in this quiet time, IMO while tourists are on their drives, or have each tent's tourists stay in a chalet for that day. They will understand. And money is NOT a problem!

Why should it be such a massive issue, FFS! 0*\


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Richprins
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Re: State of the tents at lower Sabie

Post by Richprins »

Sudden closure of Lower Sabie tented camp leaves visitors fuming
2017-02-03 14:27 - Louzel Lombard Steyn


Cape Town - The Kruger National Park on Friday, 3 February, sent out a notice to all Lower Sabie tented camp guests, announcing the sudden closure of the camp from 13 February this year, until the end of the 2017 financial year.

"Further to the ongoing challenges that Lower Sabie rest camp in experiencing regarding the poor status of the tents, Management of the Kruger National Park have decided to close these tents for upgrade," the notice reads.

'Confused and angry'

The sudden announcement has left visitors - who have booked on the popular Lower Sabie camp site months in advance - confused and angry.

The initial letter to guests stated that SANParks will be "flexible to engage guests should they still wish to stay in some of the tents that are not in such a bad state".

Members of the official SANParks - Kruger National Park Facebook group slammed SANParks saying the message is confusing, as it still gives guests an option to stay in the tents despite the renovations.

Kruger lovers were also concerned about the option to stay on in the dilapidated tents, saying it might be unsafe to stay in tents that are under construction.

'International tourists who have paid for flights inconvenineced

"This is totally unacceptable," group member and international visitor Caroline Pobereskin commented.

"Whilst it might be a big inconvenience for South Africans, what about international tourists who have paid maybe thousands of Pounds for non-refundable flights, car hire, etc.? What are they supposed to do if there's no alternative accommodation available?"

Following this, William Mabasa, acting head of communications for SANParks, apologised for the confusing notice saying that it "might not have be clear enough in conveying the intended message".

"Lower Sabie will be renovated from 13 February 2017 and all clients who are booked at those tents shall be given alternative accommodation in the camp," Mabasa stated. "Should there be no chalets available at Lower Sabie for the booked periods, clients can be accommodated at other camps within the Park," he says.

An option to refund is also possible.

Affected? Here's why to do

If you have booked in the Lower Sabie tents anywhere from 13 February, SANParks has asked for guests get in touch via email, in order to give preference on where the booking needs to be relocated.

Alternatively, guests can call management at Lower Sabie on 013 735 6056, and speak to the hospitality manager Ramontsho Ramofolo.

http://traveller24.news24.com/TravelPla ... g-20170203


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RogerFraser
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Re: Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Post by RogerFraser »

http://www.sapeople.com/2017/02/03/krug ... th-africa/

Kruger Park POSTPONES Lower Sabie Tent Closure After Outcry


The Kruger National Park has listened to its customers and done a u-turn on its sudden announcement yesterday to close the Lower Sabie tented camp on 13 February… after it caused outrage for visitors who had already booked their holidays, and could not get hold of the Park as advised to change their plans.

The Park had announced Thursday that “further to the ongoing challenges that Lower Sabie rest camp is experiencing regarding the poor status of the tents” Management had decided to close the tents to complete renovations and upgrades.

They said guests would be moved to other units and camps, or refunded, or accommodated in the tents that were “not in such a bad state”.

Those who had booked took to social media to complain that phones went unanswered and the late announcement was unacceptable.

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has listened and postponed its closure to accommodate booked guests. Public Relations Assistant, Lesley Nyawo, posted the following message on Facebook Friday evening:

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“Dear Guests,

“Following on the earlier advisory regarding the closure and renovation of all tents at Lower Sabie, KNP Management further considered all the challenges, suggestions and concerns which were raised by affected visitors.

“Based on this, management has decided to suspend the renovation process until end of April 2017 in order to honour bookings already made until that period.

“The plan is to upgrade the affected tents at Lower Sabie Rest Camp as from May 2017 in order to upgrade to the required standard.

“Due to the current poor standard of the tents, all the existing bookings for the affected tents will be discounted at a rate of 20% with immediate effect until the end of April 2017.

“In the case of fully paid reservations, the discounted amount will be place on the customer account as a credit on hold, which can be used for future reservations or camp activities.

“Please note that the discounted rate will not be extended to newly renovated and or upgraded tents.

“On behalf of KNP Management, we sincerely apologize to our valued guests for the unnecessary inconvenience suffered as a result of this poorly thought through process.

“Should you require further assistance in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact either SANParks Customer Care Centre at 012 426 5017 or the Hospitality Services Manager: Lower Sabie, Ramontsho Ramfolo on telephone +27 13 735 6056/ email Ramontsho.ramfolo@sanparks.org.”

Issued by: KNP Management


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Richprins
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Re: State of the tents at lower Sabie

Post by Richprins »

0-

Oh well...a learning curve.


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H. erectus
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Re: State of the tents at lower Sabie

Post by H. erectus »

Richprins wrote:.a learning curve.
At rather great expense!! Always thought that
academic process takes place before employment,..

O** O**


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okie
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Re: State of the tents at lower Sabie

Post by okie »

Is there some kind of spam blocker to stop nonsense like this 0*\


Enough is enough
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