The project began in July last year and is set to run for three years from funds allocated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE). In a media statement, SANParks said they have so far managed to rebuild 60% of the shop at the Letaba Camp. Building at the shop is scheduled to resume by July this year. The refurbishment of the Lower Sabie petrol station is said to be 90% complete and is scheduled to resume operation by May. The Phalaborwa Wildlife Activity Hub (phase 1) is also said to be at 65% complete and is expected to be fully completed by the end of July.

Meanwhile, the upgrading of staff accommodation at Skukuza, Lower-Sabie, Satara, and Olifants rest camps as well as the Phabeni K9 facility has commenced, while the construction and upgrading of 20 staff housing facilities at Skukuza are nearly complete. Furthermore, the construction of the Shingwedzi main building roof is 40% complete. The project is said to have been delayed by several challenges, however, it is anticipated to be complete by the end of July. Meanwhile, phase 1 of Shangoni gate development, a new gate project which is expected to open around the Giyani area, is progressing well.

The Shangoni reception facility is 65% complete. The picnic site and camping site at Shangoni have been delayed due to what the KNP says is an ‘amendment in the environmental authorisation’. Upgrading of the viewing deck at Skukuza rest camp which was infested with termites is complete and already in use. This includes the repairs on the restaurant viewing deck at Olifants camp which was also damaged by termites. Furthermore, the refurbishment of several tourism units at Crocodile Bridge rest camp, and the Biyamiti and Bateleur bush camps are said to be complete, while repairs on the damaged thatch roofs at Shingwedzi and Mopani rest camps are said to be in progress.

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The construction and upgrading of Punda Maria luxury tents and Sweni trails camp are to commence in June. Delays on these projects have been caused by the designs and late appointment of contractors, SANParks said. The KNP managing executive, Oscar Mthimkhulu, said the park regards the maintenance of infrastructure as an important aspect of attracting and keeping visitors happy. He appealed to visitors to report faults to camp management for immediate attendance. He assured the public that the KNP is committed to speeding up the refurbishment progress.

“Thus far we are on course to meet our deadlines, even though we were delayed by the flood damages in February and early March. Most gravel roads that were damaged and temporarily closed have now been reopened although a few remains closed. The main road between Skukuza and Lower-Sabie is going to be a long-term project because of the extensive damage caused,” he said. “We are also happy that the refurbishment project created a total of 300 new jobs and continues to give our neighbouring SMMEs an opportunity to transact with the park, which augurs well for the development of our rural economy and good neighborliness,” he said.