News

The construction of the office building that will house client services and reception staff was completed and is operational. The entrance gate to the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) will be completed in 2018. SANParks is in the process of appointing a concession holder to complete the construction work at the gate after a hired company could not complete the task due to unforseen circumstances.

SANParks followed due process after the termination of the company”s contract by obtaining three quotations. Negotiations with a suitable local contractor to complete the task are underway. This is the best decision to fast-track the completion of the work at the main gate.

The project began in 2016 as part of a +R19 million project to upgrade infrastructure in the Storms River Rest Camp and also includes the development around the Big Tree. To date 80% of the work is complete including a temporary road constructed in 2015 to allow visitors to access the Park.

The renovation of the gate aims to introduce a streamlined structure and system for visitors entering the Park”s main gate. Noise levels around the site have remained normal and parking space has not affected by the construction work. No heavy machinery is used and all work is on existing footprint.

The Park has a temporary restaurant and curio shop and a variety of accommodation on offer. Activities for visitors include ziplining, forest excursions with a segway, hiking trails and water activities. Measures to ensure traffic flows efficiently from the Park”s main gate are also in place. They include an introduction of a new lane, additional staff to assist visitors.

Boilerplate: R19 million was granted by the Expanded Public Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) and National Dept. of Tourism respectively.

Attached: links to previous statements about the upgrades project:
https://www.sanparks.org/about/news/?id=56457
https://www.sanparks.org/about/news/?id=56056

Sketch of the entrance gate once completed.

Media can contact: Nandi Mgwadlamba, 044 302 5633, 078 702 9663, [email protected]