Swaziland
Sector
Property
Tourism & Leisure
Royal Jozini Big 6 gets ready to launch phase 2
Royal Jozini Big 6 is excited to announce the launch of the next phase of Southern Africa’s biggest tourism resort project. Due to the solid and continuing success of the game estate, considered the first phase, Royal Jozini is now ready to move forward and expand into the much anticipated second phase – the resort component – and have confirmed their intention to break ground in January 2011.
This phase of the development will consist of a 5-star, 200 room hotel, spa and boutique casino. It will also feature a signature golf course estate, a boating and tiger fishing marina, tennis and squash courts, swimming pools, restaurants and pubs. “The resort will be situated within the 14 000 hectares of Big 5 game reserve and will offer the perfect combination of luxury, adventure and the untamed wilderness,” explains Alistair Brown, Sales & Marketing Manager for Royal Jozini Big 6. With the development currently valued at R500-million and the second phase construction budget R606-million, Royal Jozini Big 6 can certainly be regarded as one of the most prominent tourism and leisure ventures taking place anywhere in Africa.
Royal Jozini Big 6 is a self-contained private game reserve, safari and resort estate located on the Swaziland shores of Lake Jozini, nestling below the majestic Lubombo Mountains. Since launching in 2007, the development has undoubtedly moved from strength to strength. “To date 42% of the game lodge sites have been taken up primarily because Royal Jozini offers a truly unique package of features and amenities”, explained Mr Brown.
There are three types of lodge sites available for purchase, namely mountain lodge sites, bush lodge sites and waterfront lodge sites. The prices range from R695 000 for the Bush Lodge sites to R2-million for the Waterfront Lodge sites, with 80% of the Waterfront Lodge sites having already been sold. According to a recent independent property valuation, selling prices of all lodges are expected to double in value once the Big 5 game animals are roaming the estate.
Royal Jozini’s success is evidenced by the bustle of new lodge construction as well as the infrastructure already completed. This includes the completion of field ranger and security accommodation, 65km of electrified Big 5 fencing, 150km of roads, management housing, boreholes, a municipal-standard water purification plant and treatment works, mountain reservoirs and 31km of underground water reticulation.
Construction of the resort complex is expected to create upwards of 800 jobs in addition to the existing 200 construction jobs related to on-going lodge construction. Royal Jozini Big 6 also directly employs 72 staff on-site and has a self-imposed wage level some 30% higher that the gazetted minimum wage. The bulk of its staff is recruited through the Lavumisa Community Trust to ensure that the 16 regional chiefdoms benefit equally from the job-creation programme.
In addition to the development and construction currently taking place at Royal Jozini, there has also been an abundance of activity taking place within the reserve. To date there have been three game releases while plans are well-advanced to remove the barrier fence between Swaziland and South Africa to facilitate the opening the Lake Jozini Transfrontier Park later this year. The Lake Jozini Transfrontier Park is one of nine transfrontier parks situated in Africa and is the next one scheduled to be officially opened. “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 equally benefit Royal Jozini Big 6 and the Swazi and KwaZulu Natal tourism industries”, says Brown.
It is with this benefit in mind that the South African government has pledged to donate game animals to Royal Jozini Big 6 valued at R3-million over three years. Royal Jozini Big 6 is named after Africa’s the Big 5 game animals and the tiger fish, which is indigenous to Lake Jozini.
In terms of its target market, Royal Jozini Big 6’s vast catchment area is easily accessible to travellers from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, Pongola and Mozambique. In addition to this, the Swaziland Sikhupe International Airport is due for completion later in 2010 and, according to recent research, will double international tourism to the Swaziland region. Being only 3.5 hours from Durban, 5.5 hours from Johannesburg and 2 hours by road from Maputo, Royal Jozini Big 6 is close enough to be convenient, while still being located in prime bushveld and offering a retreat for those in search of “time-out” from the rat race.
“Thus far, most of our investors have originated from South Africa but we also have investors from Swaziland and as far afield as Hong Kong, Dubai and England,” confirms Brown.
There are several advantages to a development in Swaziland, which have added to its appeal. The country shares a common monetary union with South Africa, while having no capital gains tax or death duty. It is also ruled by a peaceful, constitutional monarchy and experiences far less crime than its neighbour. It also does not have any South African Reserve Bank restrictions, making this the perfect place for investing in a holiday getaway.
Royal Jozini Big 6 has enjoyed remarkable progress and success and the developers look forward to continuing along the same path. “We are very pleased to be taking the next significant step towards the creation of a dream where, in the land of Royal Jozini Big 6, everyone can live like a king”, ends Brown.
Plots at Royal Jozini Big 6 are selling fast – so don’t miss your chance to own your own piece of African soil. Various purchase options are available, including the new Reedbuck Lodge purchase option, offering cost effective plot-and-plan building packages from less than R2-million.
To discuss purchase opportunities or for further information, contact:
Alistair Brown
Tel: +27 32 9472410
Email: info@royaljozini.com
Website: www.royaljozini.com
