Kruger does turnabout, apologises, offers discount on tented camp
A new deal has been offered to customers outraged about cancelled Kruger bookings.
SKUKUZA – Outrage followed the cancelling of bookings at Lower Sabie tented camp by Kruger National Park (KNP) management because of the disrepair of the tents. A new deal was offered to customers.
“It is normal maintenance that needs to be done to the tented camp at Lower Sabie,” said Mr Willliam Mabasa, acting head of Communications at SANParks.
Guests lodged their complaints when notified their bookings for February and March were cancelled.
Bookings will be honoured.
The park had announced on Thursday that due to the ongoing challenges that Lower Sabie rest camp is experiencing regarding the poor status of the tents, management had decided to close the tents to complete renovations and upgrades.
“After the first announcement, we just realised we have given too short notice to our customers.”
He explained that, ”the tents are old and must be refurbished. We have no safety concerns about the electricity. The tents are just generally worn out. It is our responsibility to renew them. We will be putting new canvas on,” said Mabasa.
Management apologised to guests for the unnecessary inconvenience suffered.
Due to the current poor standard of the tents, all the existing bookings for the affected tents will be discounted at a rate of 20% with immediate effect until the end of April 2017.
The original announcement stated guests would be moved to other units and camps, refunded, or accommodated in the tents that were “not in such a bad state”. Those who had booked took to social media to complain that phones went unanswered and the late announcement was unacceptable.
The plan is to upgrade the affected tents at Lower Sabie Rest Camp from May 2017, in order to upgrade them to the required standard.
In the case of fully paid reservations, the discounted amount will be placed on the customer account and can be used for future reservations or camp activities.
Guests can contact 012-426-5017, or the Hospitality Services Manager of Lower Sabie, Ramontsho Ramfolo on 013-735-6056. Email Ramontsho.ramfolo@sanparks.org.
