South African National Parks (SANParks) has made key changes to its hospitality and tourism services in its various national parks, following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that the country will move to adjusted Level 4 for the next two weeks.
This is according to SANParks acting ceo, Dr Luthando Dziba, who said a Risk Adjusted Strategy had been at the core of every sector of industry planning in an effort to save lives.
“SANParks in complying with government regulations has made the requisite amendments particularly for travelers to our national parks originating from the Gauteng province.”
The rules for clients from Gauteng with exiting reservations are as follows:
- There will not be a blanket cancellation of bookings for guests residing in Gauteng. Instead, those holding current reservations valid for the period June 28 to July 11, 2021, will be contacted directly via telephone and email to establish whether their bookings should be postponed or cancelled.
- Where cancellation is the only option, cancellation fees will not be charged and clients will be provided with the option to claim a full refund or for their deposit to be kept on credit-on-hold for use on future reservations.
- Gauteng residents currently in occupation of SANParks’ accommodation facilities will be permitted to remain in the parks for the duration of their reserved stay as the regulations permit for persons who were outside the province when the regulations came into force, a once-off trip to return to their place of residence.
All gatherings at beaches and picnic sites within the national parks are prohibited. The dining facilities and restaurants within the national parks will operate on the basis of off-site consumption and therefore no sit-down dining will be allowed. More information will be shared on the compliance with the regulations regarding occupancy levels once SANParks has finalised the necessary logistics.
Luthando said that while SANParks understood the inconvenience and the frustration this might create, the body’s reservations and park teams on the ground were on hand to assist in adherence with the law.
