Kgalagadi se ablusies

-----Original Message-----
From: Len Loader [mailto:lenl@adept.co.za]
Sent: 10 October 2009 03:33 PM
To: 'driese@sanparks.org'
Cc: 'nicovdw@sanparks.org'
Subject: KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK

Attention Mr. Dries Engelbrecht, Arid Parks Regional Manager & Mr Nico van der Walt, Kgalagadi Park Manager

Gentlemen

I have just returned from my first visit to Kgalagadi, a dream that I have been waiting for many years because of the poor access roads to Kgalagadi. Now that the road to Twee Rivieren had been tarred, I thought my turn has arrived !  I have been an avid caravan camping supporter of Sanparks' parks over the past 40 years because of its overall neat, cleanliness and tourism excellence. My  first experience at Kgalagadi's Twee Rivieren Camp was disappointing to say the least.

In support of my criticism, please find the following attached images of the ablusion facilities at this camp :-

Image 35 : This filthy mop was used to clean urine leaking from a faulty urinal in the gents ablusion while the same mop was used to clean the shower cubicles !

Images 36  : The leaking urinal was unattended to throughout our week long stay at Twee Rivieren.

Images 37 to 39 : The continuous status of shower cubicles during the day. Although this has been caused by some non-caring tourists in rainy conditions, it should not be a reason why other loyal, supportive Sanpark tourists have to be confronted with. "Cleaning" (if at all it can be called cleaning) can not be done once in 24 hours if the facilities are used by many campers on a 24/7 basis.

Image 40 : For the duration of our 8 day stay at Twee Rivieren, only one of six fluorescent lights were operational. Also, note the bird mess on the roof trestles (also on the floor and hand basins, not seen in the image) because no automatic insect netting doors are provided at the bathrooms  -  birds and insects fly in and out !

I wanted to report the matter during my stay to the camp manager, but at Reception I was advised that he was not available. I asked who was the Camp Manager and was told a Mr Erasmus whom turned out to be the Tourism Manager. I stopped Mr Erasmus during a game drive and reported the above mentioned matters to him.  He promised to report it to the Camp Manager which he in fact did as the ablusions were then cleaned. However my view is that Management neglected control as it should not be necessary for tourists to complain about these basic matters.

Other matters :

Lights in the camping area were damaged (close to my stand I found two) with power cables only secured by tape.  These light poles are not even 1m high and can become extremely dangerous to specifically children playing around. From the condition of the light poles it is clear that it has been non-operational for a long time.

The camping area in Twee Rivieren is placed right next to the main entrance, at a t-junction to the game area. Continuous dust coming from the road caused by moving traffic is a terrible experience.  Can the camping area not be screened off from the road in some or another way ?

The placement of power outlets in camping areas remain a Sanparks riddle as it is not placed in an orderly manner throughout the camping area.  This results in campers using long power leads all over the camping area which is a dangerous hazard.

The gate leading from the rest camp to the park opens only two-thirds of its maximum opening position which is a risk to vehicles passing through.  The reason for this is that sand gathering in the gate-swinging area is never cleared and the opening area becomes smaller and smaller.  Although a minor item, it is clear that no Sanparks official is concerned about this.

Although it is appreciated that the first leg of the road to Nossop is closed for upgrading, more should be done to accommodate game viewing by tourists during this exercise. Why is the Nossop road closed at Samevloeing and not at the point where upgrading is taking place ? Or, why can the one way road between Leeuwdrill and Houmoed not be opened in the opposite direction ?  Other smaller non-entrance roads should be considered to be opened for game viewing while the upgrading is taking place on the Nossop road. It is extremely boring to drive up and down the same road.

It is a well known fact that road conditions in the park are extremely poor.  We experienced the grading of the Mata-Mata road as well as the sweeping with tyres, only to find that within two days the same road was corrugated again. Continuous grading is a waste of money and a more lasting solution will have to be considered.

The outsourced shop in Twee Rivieren is disgusting with its prices - R1,35 for a paper bag, R208 for an infant's baby grow and R43 for a bottle of shampoo ! The distance from Upington is a reality and is appreciated, however, this shop is taking matters too far !

Twee Rivieren is the first Sanparks main camp I have come across where you cannot sit down during the day and have a beer, milkshake, pie or hamburger !

I trust you will find this information informative.

Len Loader

Client number 130056245

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From: Dupel Erasmus [mailto:DupelE@sanparks.org]
Sent: 12 October 2009 02:09 PM
To: lenl@adept.co.za
Cc: Dries Engelbrecht; Nico van der Walt; Willem Feris; Riaan Franken; Henry Heyns
Subject: RE; KGALAGADI VISIT

Dear Mr.Loader,

Thank you for your constructive email, and yes I do recall our conversation on the specific day mentioned and thank you for the conversation. First and foremost I would like to apologize for any inconvenience that you had to endear during your visit, and can assure you of management’s intent to rectify matters indicated by yourself within the ambit of human and financial resources. The issues raised are valid and I would like to indicate that actions are put in place to address the general hygiene issues within the ablution facilities as pointed out by your self. All of the ablution issues and general concerns have been addressed with the camp manager at Twee Rivieren.for immediate resolve.

The other technical / maintenance issues will and has already been addressed with the technical department for rectification, and I do have to indicate that they do form part of the ongoing maintenance / development plan for the specific camp such as the lights which are currently being replaced, as well as all the electrical distribution boxes within the camping area that is receiving attention, as well as the possible screening of the camping site from the entrance road, without going into the detail of the plan. However you are absolutely right that management need to exercise more effective oversight, and this is also been enhanced.

The road closure involves the possibility of alternate routes for valued tourists, as you rightly indicated to maximize the opportunity for drives by tourists, but in the same we do have to be aware of ecological impact of such. The issue around the pricing strategy of the concessionaire responsible will again be raised with the relevant body responsible for further action, and yes the Kgalagadi roads do pose a challenge for management,

I would again like to thank you for your constructive input which is appreciated and hopefully we will be in a position to welcome you back to the wonderful Kgalagadi, and trust that you find the above in order.

Kind and sincere regards,

DUPEL ERASMUS

TOURISM MANAGER

KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK

email; dupele@sanparks.org