Expansion Riverbed camps N’wanetsi Concession

[RogerFraser]

Someone sent me a link to this to say the EIA is underway again :

From: Kevan Zunckel
Sent: 13 April 2021 10:11 AM
Subject: Re: BidCo (Pty) Ltd, is applying in


Thanks for following up on this assessment. BidCo are in the process of determining the exact layout for each of the proposed camp sites and this has taken some time considering the need to assess alternatives as well. Also Covid restrictions have had their toll and have slowed things down as well.

We are actually traveling to the KNP tomorrow to finalise the layout of the last site and should then be in a position to begin wrapping up the draft Basic Assessment Report and my guess is that we should have this completed by end May.

All the best
Kevan

Background :

https://www.sanparks.org/docs/general/kruger-notice.pdf

NOTICE: APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION
Singita Lebombo (Pty) Ltd, is applying in terms of the National Environmental Management Act,
1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 to the
Chief Directorate: Integrated Environmental Authorisations of the National Department of
Environmental Affairs; for environmental authorisation at the Basic Assessment level, to
establish and operate an eight bed seasonal fly camp in the N’wanetsi Concession in the Kruger
National Park.
When the Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out for the N’wanetsi Concession in
2001 it included a specialist study on the potential for the establishment of a fly camp as part of
the Concession Agreement. This study identified three alternative sites and recommended the
use of all three on a rotational basis. The Environmental Authorisation and Record of Decision
issued on 20 February 2002 (Ref. No. A24/16/3/82/16/2) subsequently approved the
development of an “an upmarket, luxury 40-bed ecotourism lodge and a 6-bed fly camp in the
N’wanetsi concession in Kruger National Park”. On 3 December 2015 an amendment to the
authorisation was granted (Ref. No. A24/16/3/82/16/2/AM1). This amendment increased the
bed numbers for the concession to 46, but removed the fly camp. Singita Lebombo now wishes
to take up the option of operating a seasonal fly camp on two of the sites previously identified,
i.e. Xinkelengane (24°18'57.55"S 31°56'43.86"E), and Ostridge Link (24°24'50.62"S
31°58'38.66"E).
The fly camp will consist of a total of 12 tents. The concept of the fly camp is to offer guests a
closer contact with Nature than the Lodge provides. Though the distinctive Singita service will
remain the hallmark of the fly camp experience there is a stronger emphasis at the fly camp than
at the Lodge in touching the ground lightly and experiencing the wilderness atmosphere of the
N’wanetsi Concession. Guests staying at the fly camp will be able to go on game drives or
conducted walks. The fly camp will be set up and operated during the six cooler months of the
year and will thus be a seasonal offering from April to September.
The N’wanetsi Concession in the Kruger National Park falls within the Bushbuckridge Local
Municipality within the Ehlanzeni District Municipality (DC32) which is in the Mpumalanga
Province.
You are invited to register as an Interested and Affected Party by contacting the Environmental
Assessment Practitioner as per the details provided below:
Kevan Zunckel of Emross Consulting (Pty) Ltd.
Address: 7 Annthia Road, Hilton, 3245
Tel: 033-3431739
Cell: 082 929 4270
Email: kevan@emross.co.za

[Richprins]

[Lisbeth]

I don't like it either, not one bit

[Peter Betts]

I think its a great idea >> replace those Hollywood Lodges with Closer to nature Less IMPACT Fly camp >> No Brainer

[Richprins]

But they are not replacing anything!

[Lisbeth]

I cannot help thinking about the mess they are going to make setting up and taking down these camps

[Klipspringer]

Is the new application now for a higher number of beds in total?

[RogerFraser]

Got some more feedback on the process from my little birdy :
response from Zunkel "As it happens, the applicant has had some issues to deal with in regards to their concession agreement with SANParks and this has caused the process to be delayed. My understanding is that these issues have been addressed to the satisfaction of both parties and the process should be resuming in the foreseeable future."

[Lisbeth]

Aha, the famous fly camp is back!

I am losing count of all the different developments which are going on in Kruger

[Richprins]

SANParks wants more money!