The Limpopo National Park was proclaimed a national park in 2001 and a Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) known as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park was established to ensure the benefit of conservation whilst still taking advantage of tourism opportunities.
Two separate investment opportunities have arisen within the Limpopo National Park inside the boundaries of Mozambique.
Massingir Dam houseboats:
Estimated cost of project: US$4.8-million
Investment opportunity: The first opportunity is the Massingir Dam houseboats. There are two concessions that will operate from a base on the eastern shores of the Massingir dam.
This node will be adjacent to the Massingir resort which will act as a staging post for clients undertaking a houseboat safari. This spectacular dam on the Olifants river just east of the Lebombo mountain range, offers unique water based game, bird life and scenic viewing.
Each concession will consist of two self contained house boats with access to the dam and various bays for overnight mooring. Tender boats will allow guests to undertake game viewing and fishing outings.
The Massingir dam, including the concession rights, is managed by Ara-Sul. The dam enjoys easy access from South Africa via the Giriyondo entrance gate and from Mozambique via the Massingir entrance gate.
The dam wall has been rehabilitated and sealed, which will ensure more consistent dam levels.
Two concessions which will allow for the provision of four houseboats (two boats per concession) are available as a private sector investment opportunity.
This project has been earmarked for activation by 2010. Each boat will have between 8 and 16 beds and facilities will include the house boats, mooring sites and service infrastructure. Boating, fishing, game viewing and hiking are also envisaged.
The concessions to be granted are pending finalisation and will include the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between the national park and Ara-Sul, the water authority.
For more information on this investment opportunity contact Deborah Kahtahno at Boundless Southern Africa by email on dkahatano@deat.gov.za or by tel on +27 12 310 3734
Community-based tourism facility
Estimated cost of project: US$2-million per lodge
Situated in the buffer zone of the park (a strip of land about 5 km wide, running along the periphery of the park) is the community areas of Chibutane and Mapai.
These areas have been earmarked for the development of rustic chalets and campsites. The French Development Agency has supplied a grant for the development of the projects detailed below. This grant will facilitate the planning and development of the buffer zone in the next two years:
Investment opportunity: Mapai Community Lodge. This investment opportunity envisions the development of rustic chalets (20 beds) constructed of pole and reed/wood structures and 20 campsites.
This site situated along the Limpopo River has been earmarked for activation by 2010 and is to be privately operated.
Activities at the site will include a self-drive 4x4 trail and cultural tourism. A concession model will be developed for this opportunity and concession agreements will be negotiated with the respective stakeholders (i.e. affected communities, the district administration and the Ministry of Tourism).
The investment must be a joint venture between local community and private sector. Community equity is the land and capital up to US$500,000. The financial resources are granted by Government subject to financially viable project proposal.
Investment opportunity: Chibutane Community Lodge. This investment opportunity envisions the development of rustic chalets (20 beds) constructed of pole and reed/wood structures and 20 campsites.
This site situated along the Olifants River in the buffer zone of the Limpopo National Park has been earmarked for activation by 2010 and is to be operated privately.
Activities at the site will include a self-drive 4x4 trail and cultural tourism. A concession model will be developed for this opportunity and concession agreements will be negotiated with the respective stakeholders (i.e. affected communities, the district administration and the Ministry of Tourism).
The investment must be a joint venture between local community and private sector. Community equity is the land and capital up to US$500,000. The financial resources are granted by Government subject to financially viable project proposal.
For more information on this investment opportunity contact Deborah Kahtahno at Boundless Southern Africa by email on dkahatano@deat.gov.za or by tel on +27 12 310 3734
For more information about either of these investment opportunities,
or any others currently being marketed by Boundless Southern Africa please contact the organization directly:
Contact: Deborah Kahatano, Programme Manager
Email: dkahatano@deat.gov.za
Tel: +27 (0) 12 310 3734
