Kruger national park golf course run on losses
THE golf course in Kruger National Park in South Africa runs at a loss and is likely to be relocated outside the park, yet it has been cited by Marasa Holdings as an example of a successful golf course inside a national park.
By Gerald Tenywa
THE golf course in Kruger National Park in South Africa runs at a loss and is likely to be relocated outside the park, yet it has been cited by Marasa Holdings as an example of a successful golf course inside a national park.
“The golf course does not make any money, but needs to be fenced, which will add to the cost,†a 24 page Masters thesis for Potchefstroom University by Lize Barclay entitled; “The principles for the development of a sustainable golf estate,’’ said.
The golf course in Kruger is in a large township called Skukuza inside the park. Skukuza caters for 380 residences and 800 single quarters for employees and 1,500 beds for tourists at Skukuza Rest Camp.
The golf course was originally built to provide recreation facilities for Kruger park staff living in Skukuza, but was recently opened to tourists.
It is run with few ground staff, but still struggles to cover its costs, Barclay says.
However, Skukuza has a serious housing problem. “If the course is changed into an estate, the houses will be beneficial to Kruger National Park. The development and sale to a third party is not feasible because it is not allowed under the Environment Act. The policy of Kruger is that 3,500 beds is the maximum carrying potential of tourists in this reserve and additional tourist accommodation will not be allowed,’’ the report said.
Skukuza Rest Camp lies on the fringes of Lake Panic, which measures 400 meters long and 80 meters wide. It is also under threat of pollution as fertilisers drain into the lake.
The golf course is also having problems with elephants uprooting trees and threatening players, but it is thought that an elephant fence to enclose 45 hectares would dissect an ecological system causing silting of the lake and water scarcity.
“A golf course in the national park is not a feasible option,’’ the report concludes.
Park staff are considering a recommendation to relocate the golf course to Kruger Gate, 16 kilometres away from Skukuza.
Another recommendation is that the existing golf course should be turned into a bird sanctuary since it is next to a man-made lake.
“If the Kruger was given the choice today, it would definitely not construct a golf course in a national park. I would not recommend this for Queen Elizabeth National Park. It would be better if they build it outside the boundaries of the park,’’ a senior official of Kruger National Park said recently.
Marasa Holdings, owned by the Madhvani Group, has requested for permission from the Government to build a golf course on Mweya peninsula.
Former trade and tourism minister Daudi Migereko has written a statement in favour of the project.
The golf course proposal sparked angry reactions from conservationists, who said it would undermine the integrity of the protected area and discourage tourists.
Uganda Wildlife Authority’s proposal was that the golf course should be located at Katwe fishing village on the edge of the park, but this was rejected by Marasa.
THE golf course in Kruger National Park in South Africa runs at a loss and is likely to be relocated outside the park, yet it has been cited by Marasa Holdings as an example of a successful golf course inside a national park.
“The golf course does not make any money, but needs to be fenced, which will add to the cost,†a 24 page Masters thesis for Potchefstroom University by Lize Barclay entitled; “The principles for the development of a sustainable golf estate,’’ said.
The golf course in Kruger is in a large township called Skukuza inside the park. Skukuza caters for 380 residences and 800 single quarters for employees and 1,500 beds for tourists at Skukuza Rest Camp.
The golf course was originally built to provide recreation facilities for Kruger park staff living in Skukuza, but was recently opened to tourists.
It is run with few ground staff, but still struggles to cover its costs, Barclay says.
However, Skukuza has a serious housing problem. “If the course is changed into an estate, the houses will be beneficial to Kruger National Park. The development and sale to a third party is not feasible because it is not allowed under the Environment Act. The policy of Kruger is that 3,500 beds is the maximum carrying potential of tourists in this reserve and additional tourist accommodation will not be allowed,’’ the report said.
Skukuza Rest Camp lies on the fringes of Lake Panic, which measures 400 meters long and 80 meters wide. It is also under threat of pollution as fertilisers drain into the lake.
The golf course is also having problems with elephants uprooting trees and threatening players, but it is thought that an elephant fence to enclose 45 hectares would dissect an ecological system causing silting of the lake and water scarcity.
“A golf course in the national park is not a feasible option,’’ the report concludes.
Park staff are considering a recommendation to relocate the golf course to Kruger Gate, 16 kilometres away from Skukuza.
Another recommendation is that the existing golf course should be turned into a bird sanctuary since it is next to a man-made lake.
“If the Kruger was given the choice today, it would definitely not construct a golf course in a national park. I would not recommend this for Queen Elizabeth National Park. It would be better if they build it outside the boundaries of the park,’’ a senior official of Kruger National Park said recently.
Marasa Holdings, owned by the Madhvani Group, has requested for permission from the Government to build a golf course on Mweya peninsula.
Former trade and tourism minister Daudi Migereko has written a statement in favour of the project.
The golf course proposal sparked angry reactions from conservationists, who said it would undermine the integrity of the protected area and discourage tourists.
Uganda Wildlife Authority’s proposal was that the golf course should be located at Katwe fishing village on the edge of the park, but this was rejected by Marasa.