New Kruger safari resort still going ahead
New Kruger safari resort still going aheadToday's News
12 Fri, Sep 2014
Plans for the construction of a new safari resort near Malelane Gate in the Kruger are not “off the cards” the developer and SANParks have both confirmed.
Earlier this week, reports suggested that the project had been suspended after the deadline for an application to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) was missed.
However, Peter Wright CEO: Malelane Safari Resort Investments and SANParks Managing Executive: Tourism Development & Marketing, Glenn Phillips have said the project is still going ahead.
“We are certainly continuing with all processes necessary for the implementation of the rights owned by Malelane Safari Resort Investments (Pty) Ltd. (MSRI), to construct and operate the resort to be built in the Kruger Park,” Wright told Tourism Update.
He said, while the deadline for the submission of an application to DEA did lapse, another application had already been submitted to the department and the company was expecting a response within the next two weeks. He said a decision had been taken to submit a new application.
“We received notice from the DEA that the application would lapse and have been aware of the state of the process all along,” said Wright. “However, since the original submission of the application in 2010, the EIA regulations have been amended and there have been significant alterations to the design, including an off-grid power design for what is now a tented resort.”
Wright said these factors had resulted in the need for a new and different application. “It therefore made obvious sense that we should follow this alternative route. Consequently, the initial application process had to lapse to enable the new process to commence.”
NuLeaf Planning and Environmental, the appointed consultants, submitted the new application on September 8. “As soon as a Letter of Acknowledgement has been received from DEA, NuLeaf will commence with the Public Participation Process,” said Wright. “The consultants will continue to manage this process according to the regulations and will follow best practice and transparency.”
This was confirmed by Phillips. “The project is absolutely continuing,” he told Tourism Update. He also highlighted that the design of the hotel had changed substantially and said the decision to go off the grid would reduce costs and also result in a smaller carbon footprint. According to Phillips, the new tented design was also in keeping with the Kruger as a safari destination.
Carlson Rezidor, the company that was awarded the management contract is also still committed to the project. “MSRI still has a signed international management agreement with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, who will operate the safari resort under its Radisson Blu brand, said Andrew McLachan, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group: VP Business Development Africa & Indian Ocean Islands. “They are still as committed today as they were when the deal was first signed.”
Wright said while the project had taken over four years to reach this stage because of various procedural issues, he now expected an efficient process. He added that the communities south of Malelane would be equity partners in the business and would derive great socio-economic benefits from the project.
Nothing to do with a lodge even less a hotel 
