PREPARATIONS for the opening of Lake Jozini Transfrontier Park are well underway.

The park, which straddles the borders of South Africa and Swaziland, is one of nine transfrontier parks to be created in Southern Africa, and is the next one to be officially opened.

Alistair Brown, sales and marketing manager of Royal Jozini Big 6, which is involved in development of the transfrontier park, explains: “A transfrontier park essentially combines the unique ecologies and cultures of neighbouring countries. The opening of Lake Jozini Transfrontier Park is of great significance as it will benefit both Royal Jozini Big 6, and the entire Swaziland and regional tourism industry.”

“Having successfully managed to transform what was once a cattle farm into a breathtaking game reserve, preparations to remove the barrier fence between Swaziland and South Africa are well on track,” confirms Brown. The reserve will open directly onto the Pongola Game Reserve on the South African side of the border. 

Since Royal Jozini Big 6 launched in September 2007 over 250 lodge sites have been taken up, the essential infrastructure has been completed and the introduction of game animals has commenced.

“This private estate offers a truly unique package of features - mountains, lake, big five game reserve and golf – all in one development. Royal Jozini Big 6 will cost approximately R3bn to complete and will ultimately double Swaziland’s tourism industry,” says Brown.

“Our targets for the private lodges has been achieved, therefore our next point of focus is the hotel and resort complex, which we aim to open by the end of 2011,” confirms Brown.

Royal Jozini Big 6 is easily accessible to travellers from KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, Pongola and Mozambique. In addition to this, Swaziland’s new Sikhuphe International Airport, due for completion in 2010, will make the resort accessible to an expected 300 000 international arrivals each year.