Africa Wild

This is interesting . Indeed , why was it re-opened ? The original announcement stated :

Skukuza is situated about 15 minutes’ drive from the park’s major restcamp of the same name and is also used by South African Air Force as part of the South African National Defence Force’s contribution to the national rhino anti-poaching effort. BK-117 helicopters from 15 Squadron’s C Flight as well as 28 Squadron C-130BZ transport aircraft are the most regular military users of the airport.

Current management plans for Skukuza Airport are for it to handle a maximum of six scheduled flights a day up to a maximum of 30 a week.

The significant part to me is : six scheduled flights a day . Now , that could bring in quite a few tourists .
However , hopefully they will not all be for Kruger . Lets consider

With the recent sale of Mala Mala to a BEE concern , I am quite sure that they probably have big plans to increase tourism to that Private Game Reserve . Remember , the decision and announcement re Skuks airport was done specifically while Dr Mabunda was chief honcho of Sanparks . And where is he now ?
It must also be remembered that private charters to and from Skuks never stopped . Now , where did these flights go to , etc . Well , there are around 12 to 15 private airstrips , on private reserves all between Orpen downwards to the Sabie river .
Look , sure , for sure thereis already huge pressure on Skuks airport , what with the all the existing traffic ( anti-poaching activities included ) , but I think that the publicity around poaching specifically also focuses a lot of eyes ( especially internationally ) , on Kruger itself . And IMO , with the recent weakening in the SARand , more International tourists do want to visit , and therefore that facility .
International tourists are probably more concerned about safety than us locals , and as such would rather tend to go for the more " safer tourist option " offered by the private reserves , than self-drive in Kruger . In any event , remember , Kruger is in the spotlight with all the poaching activities , and could be perceived as " less safe " , even if not on a self-drive , and therefore those tourists would tend to rather opt for Mala Mala and other private game reserves .

This my ( trying to be optimistic ) opinion

I get your point okie

I have seen that many international tourists and even 1 or 2 from SA are happy about the fact the airport is open, however in my opinion there’s also the “conference centre and Skukuza hotel” to consider.

One of the reasons or excuse for building the hotel is because “conference centre guests” want hotel facilities. Who will these “conference centre guests” be and are they the type of guests who would want to drive to Skukuza from say JHB, when they can fly. (Especially if the guests fly for “free”)

Don't think Mala Mala takes more than a tiny fraction of 6 flights per day...

It would be great if someone could actually find details of usage of the airport in 2014?

Rhino poaching actually diverts attention from the "real" reason for reopening, IMO...luxury conference tourism and political gatherings at Skukuza.

Well , its still all about money , and publicity , is publicity , especially if its free

( for instance - " come and see the last rhinos before they are extinct " )

Ja, all about money, and, as Robert said, more people on roads. Not subject to gate quotas, as they will be guests, but still more people!

Yeahhh , and it certainly could mean more non-driving tourists ( those using OSV's ) , and it has been mentioned that eventually that could mean elimination of self-drive , etc .
But I must say , that I have some problems with logistics when it comes to eliminating self-drive . Lets consider this :

Kruger have around 4500 beds ( including camping ) . Let's say the average group/family occupation per unit is just over two, and therefore if you stop self-drive , it means those visitors would have to use tour operators in OSV's . I think here , the current average usage of OSV's is probably around 4 per vehicle , plus driver .
That means therefore around 1000 additional OSV , instead of 2000 self-drives . Quite a reduction in vehicles , however , the drivers need accommodation . Will they be herded into group accommodation , or do they sleep outside Kruger . Well , lets put them 3 per unit , so , needing another additional 350 sleeping units
In this I have taken into account campers , and lets consider that more closely . Well , campers bring their own sleeping accommodation , be it tents , mobile homes , campers , or caravans . Will Sanparks now provide that ? Or can these people still bring it into the park , park their vehicles , and then be obligated to use OSV's ? Somehow , I cannot see that happen .
So , if self-drive is out , I do not see campers supporting Kruger anymore , causing Sanparks to lose a huge part of revenue , etc etc .

I follow this “latest sighting app” when not in the park just to obtain a pattern of predator movement and every day now people are posting “traffic chaos, too many cars, etc” on this app.

The south of Kruger is rapidly turning into a zoo type environment as there are just too many cars in the park and it’s very noticeable near entrance gates. In holiday season the facilities can’t cope either, so soon something will have to be done.

It’s clearly all about money though, so how is it solved

I don’t see it being logistically achievable or financially viable to stop “self drive” for overnight visitors unless they double prices and halve the numbers, which will never fly.

SANParks should consider “no self drive” for day visitors, which will decrease the traffic without affecting the revenue that much and force people to book accommodation in the park or double the price for day visitors and halve the number.

BC You are right .

But you know , Sanparks are indeed slowly pricing out the local visitor who uses accommodation facilities . Hell , in the "good old days " , it cost us something like R1.75 per day in a single-bed hut in Lower Sabie . Safricans used the park to the full , and you were lucky to get any accommodation unless you had a pal working for Parks Board somewhere .
Then prices went more international , and suddenly you could almost make bookings a bare two weeks before your visit , so , in order to draw more visitors , Sanparks brought in Senior discounts - 40 % anywhere .
Then , a couple years ago this was changed , and some senior discounts in some camps are no more ( Lower Sabie , Satara ) , and others changed to 20 % only .

I do not think self-drive will be stopped , but certainly , accommodation prices will increase . Remember , already in the past few years it increased by around 10 % every year , which is much higher than local inflation has been . So these price increases are more in line with International prices itself ( not cheap for Saffies ) , and will continue in line with weakening in the currency , which will draw more international tourists .
Is that wrong ? Yes and no .
But , the friendly bunny-hugger private reserves have been doing exactly that for many years . There prices are charged dollar related , and in fact they often only quote US Dollar prices and not SA Rand prices .
So , where does that leave you and me

It leaves us with a very sad world to live in , master Jack

Hey, okie!

The idea seems to have been for self-drive to only be cancelled in the Southern Section, with the buy-in of a selected group of OSV operators to help handle the load initially. But the flame seems to have died down, except for enforced Park and Drive for day visitors?

Camping is not a money-spinner for SP at all...

BC!

Spoke to our friend today, who is in Kruger, and says the Southern madness is worse than ever, so good luck with your trip!

Richprins wrote:BC!

Spoke to our friend today, who is in Kruger, and says the Southern madness is worse than ever, so good luck with your trip!

Yip, I heard it’s chaos at sightings

When there’s another big box-up at a crowded sighting in the south it will be due to frustration and who caused the frustration in the first place by letting too many people in the park.