What is the situation/progress with the proposed hotels in Kruger?

[H. erectus]

Hopefully Penny if at least for the time being! However that ever skulking threat
of mismanagement needs to be removed.!

There will forever be this interest in whatever as long as it carries a
greenback!!

[Richprins]

National Parks have never ever been created to produce income throughout the World.

Maybe Kruger's name should be changed?

[iNdlovu]

Don't go there RP Oom Paul is just as much a part of SA's history as King Shaka et al.

[Richprins]

Just being disingenious, Boss!

[iNdlovu]

Dangerously so, someone might get ideas

[Richprins]

A letter from Mr S Moore in today's Lowvelder, with responses from Mr Mabasa:

[H. erectus]

Yah RP, here we go again!!! I read through your post of several snippets,
trying to grasp the bigger picture! I have no problem with Mr S Moores
comments. I feel that he is as frustrated like the rest of us.

The assessment process Mr Mabasa refers too, I seem to believe, also is in
very good hands. Though we have no financial input to this process these
people owe us nothing. Since the developer supports the financial input into
a proper EIA process, appointed by the client, Sanparks, we as public input
will just have to wait our turn. To this date it would seem the bottom of the
barrel has being thoroughly wiped clean regarding monetary residue..

All very well and fine, though when Sanparks need to address a situation on a
practical basis with professional attitude I need to re-read these snippets 'cause
the comments are seriously lacking of true integrity. Loopholes everywhere!!

Total loss of grip regarding conservation!!! When we talk general diseases
that plague our National Parks, such as foot and mouth, then Groenkloof,
needs to be placed in "quarantine".

[Richprins]

Always the aggressive ending to a reply from SP!?

[RobertT]

http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/co ... alane-Gate

I was under the impression Sanparks were not putting any money up for hotel?

Wonder where these funds will come from? With everybody throwing money at poaching do you think it has possibly loosened up money that SANparks would have spent on poaching and instead are using the funds on the hotel as someone else is picking up poaching bill?

[Richprins]

New hotel for KNP at Malalane Gate

Five possible sites have been identified for the new hotel.

21 February 2013 | Daluxolo Sibiya

MALALANE - Five potential sites have been identified by SANParks for the development of a hotel at Malalane Gate.


This came to light last Wednesday, during the Malalane Chamber of Commerce's (MCC) first meeting of the year.


According to Mr Derrick Milburn, an environmentalist appointed by the developer to do the scoping report for the proposed hotels in the park, five potential sites had been identified by SANParks.


The sites are all within a 10-minute-range of Malalane Gate in the Kruger National Park.


One is opposite Pestana Lodge, three opposite the famous Leopard Creek Golf Estate, and the other one - presently enjoying preference - is situated where the Timfeneni Loop enters the Crocodile River.


Addressing the MCC Milburn said, "The proposed hotel development will make use of a park-and-ride facility of approximately 2,5 hectares, which will be based at the Malalane Gate entrance.


This facility, of which 40% is owned and funded by SANParks, will operate on a 24-hour basis for visitors to the Kruger National Park, inclusive of the proposed hotel development."


Milburn is currently working on the final phase of the scoping report which will consist of a document to be approved by the National Department of Environmental Affairs.


The report addresses the concerns of investors, mitigation factors and other relevant issues for the social, economic and environmental concerns regarding the proposed development.


Questions were asked by members of the MCC and the tourism sector.


Among those raised by MCC members were how and if local businesses would benefit from the development, if an economic feasibility study had been done with reference to job creation and potential job losses, if the materials for the development would be sourced locally, as well as environmental concerns and other issues.


According to Mr Chris Engelbrecht, a local attorney acting for some of the registered interested and affected parties, they were concerned about the development for technical reasons, as the proposed hotel would impact negatively on the serenity and integrity of the park.


"The large park-and-ride facility planned at the entrance at Malalane Gate may, like the hotel itself, cause light and noise pollution for existing land- and property owners facing the Kruger National Park. There was also concern about traffic congestion during peak times.


The development might, however, create other job opportunities, to be judged according to the need and desirability reports as and when the economic study is done in future," Engelbrecht said.


Lowvelder