ISIMANGALISO News Flash!
iSimangaliso – R7m Cape Vidal rebuild
One of South Africa’s best-loved campsites, Cape Vidal on the Eastern Shores section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, is receiving a major facelift. The family resort lies on the pristine golden iSimangaliso coastline on South Africa’s east coast, enjoying year-round balmy weather, warm Indian Ocean temperatures and great fishing and snorkelling.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority is currently making a R7million investment into a complete rebuild of the camp site and upgrade of day visitor facilities, due to increasing demand. Visitor numbers to iSimangaliso have increased between 5 and 7% year on year since its establishment including during the current recession. iSimangaliso gate prices have not been increased for five years and it remains one of the cheapest parks in the country to visit. Says iSimangaliso CEO Andrew Zaloumis, “One of the country’s most beloved camping areas, Cape Vidal lies immediately behind a sensitive sand dune system and as such, great care is being taken to ensure the necessary improvements are both ecologically acceptable as well as improving conditions for our visitors. iSimangaliso is an important driver of tourism and of benefits to people in the area. This rebuild will further strengthen tourism in iSimangaliso and St Lucia/Mtubatuba.” Work underway… overseen by Project Manager Michael Dhlamini The rebuild includes upgraded roads, ablutions, sewage systems, electricity, water, and refurbishment of each individual camp site. Both camp site and day visitor areas will include wheelchair-friendly units. “Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, managers of the Cape Vidal resort, are delighted with the upcoming changes and look forward to welcoming guests back to the improved facilities,” says Ian Porter Ezemvelo’s General Manager Eco-Tourism. The rebuild is taking place in two phases. During the first phase the camp site will be off-line until 15th June 2011, carefully chosen to coincide with the quietest time of the year so as to minimise inconvenience to visitors. No new bookings will be taken for the off-line period. A second phase partial closure is planned from 4th-28th September 2011. Cape Vidal resort remains open for day visitors and chalet guests throughout the campsite closure. iSimangaliso CEO Andrew Zaloumis said, “We ask visitors to bear with us during construction as we continue with our goal of upgrading and developing the Park for visitors to enjoy.” Details of infrastructure project progress in the other sections of the Park including the Western Shores, uMkhuze and Sodwana Bay will be released in the forthcoming weeks and readers are welcome to contact Lindy Duffield, iSimangaliso Marketing and Brand Officer, for further information (lindy@iSimangaliso.com). |