"Commercial Tents at Pretoriuskop "

[Richprins]

It is with the papers, Flutts, hence a sort of reply coming so far...

[Flutterby]

[Richprins]

The private operators booking system is clouded in mystery and controversy for many years now, a long and exhaustive thread here: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=533

But it is reasonably clear that they have to register as operators, at a fee, and can make block bookings for existing accommodation, including campsites. But certainly not utilising those campsites indefinitely. They could, theoretically, book a string of campsites for a month or whatever, but the rules and logic suggests that they must forfeit accommodation (before final payment after deposit) at least a month before the date.

I suppose nothing prevents ANY individual from booking accommodation, paying in full, and if they don't pitch up, so be it, their money is forfeited.
(Maybe one could check on the prescribed limits regarding numbers and duration of bookings)

This is why accommodation appears suddenly a month before, even in peak season, or more months before, as smaller operators don't even pay the deposit. Many campsites fall under the same scenario, and operators sometimes barricade areas off early on the day of arrival in camps without marked and numbered campsites, although that is often also a bunfight, to make sure there is space for when a group of tents is pitched that afternoon. I don't have a massive problem with that, as the tents only appear later and obviously the group wants to be together.

Many campers get drunk and make noise...in my 30 years experience!

My problem, however, is that this operator is rather cynically paying for maybe 4 campsites per day, to be conservative, at base rate R300 per campsite of R1200 per day, which is nothing, and spoiling it for others. (I don't think PK has numbered campsites, and there is no real limit on how much space is allocated for a tent, so 4 can easily cover much of the fenceline)

There are also major question marks regarding the organisation of osv drives after hours. All operators obviously have their own vehicles, and have an extra half hour outside gate times for day trips only, which means that overnighters' drives can only be conducted in SP vehicles. OSV operators do outsource their vehicles and drivers to Kruger in peak periods, but only for excess normal tourist demand.

As said above by others, this is a new sour loophole, for money. (Actually been going there for maybe a year or more now, but on small scale)

[stefan9]

Disgracefull...Silence from Sanparks is deafening...

[somabhula]

It would appear that the semi permanent safari tents now along the perimeter fence (upper and lower) camping area at Pretoriuskop were erected and are for hire through
a private operator not Sanparks?????

Corruption, backhanders and collusion AGAIN???

[somabhula]

So I can book a camp site for 11 months of the year, park the trailer and rent it out for Rx per day, and no one will say anything, and with the profits buy more and more trailers/caravans etc to continue doing the same????

[RogerFraser]

Just seen the prices posted on a link that they are reselling these sites for also note the date offered is beyond the 11 month booking window as pointed out on the other forum

https://www.nightsbridge.co.za/bridge/b ... 2018-03-13

[Lisbeth]

Completely crazy prices For a TENT

Adventurous? there is a high metal safety net

[Flutterby]

Still can't believe SANParks is allowing this!!

[Bushcraft]

On the Sanparks forum only RobertT and another two members have commented, very strange

This is shocking in my book, hence I can only assume, if you aren't a cheerleader you aren't welcome so the silence will slowly become deafening as Sanparks, at the moment, seem to be heading down the wrong road for the current client base.

An overpriced rip off to catch foreigners and there has to be more to this story and if not it's a scandal