The Skukuza Safari Lodge project is expected to enhance the Kruger National Park’s meetings and events offering. William Mabasa, GM Communication and Marketing at SANParks, said the lodge was expected to open in the last quarter of 2018.

The 128-room Skukuza Conference Lodge is expected to be a three-star facility within the existing Skukuza Rest Camp.  The conference centre will be able to accommodate up to 250 delegates.

Fundisile Mketeni, SANParks CEO, said the new accommodation would be able to host events, exhibitions, conventions and meetings of various sizes while also contributing towards job creation during and after the construction phase.

At the sod-turning ceremony on Saturday, February 18, Dr Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs, dispelled fears that the new lodge would increase the footprint in the KNP. She said SANParks was mandated to provide accommodation and facilities for visitors, including provision of food and household supplies. “We are, therefore, confident that this facility will not significantly increase the human footprint of the park, as plans are under way to ensure that patrons of Skukuza Safari Lodge will either be transported by charter flights or group transport like tour buses.”

Molewa added that the development footprint in KNP currently constituted 6 285 hectares or 0.3% of the total 2 000 000 hectares of the park. In terms of International Union for Conservation of Nature standards, a park can be developed to 10% of its size.

The full development cost of the lodge amounts to R269.5m (€19.4m) and is funded from the Infrastructure Development Grant.