Mluwati concession PPP – kruger national park: operate lodges, tented camps, retail, wildlife activities and manage roads and environmental infrastructure (25-Year concession)

The Mluwati Concession is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) opportunity in the Kruger National Park, tendered by SANParks in accordance with National Treasury's Tourism PPP Toolkit and Treasury Regulation 16.

• The Private Party is granted rights at its own risk to finance, refurbish, design, build, maintain and operate a tourism facility on state conservation land for a period likely to provide a fair return on investment.
• In return, the Private Party will meet agreed environmental, development, operating and broad-based B-BBEE obligations, and pay a PPP fee to SANParks.
• SANParks or the State will hold title to the land and assets; at the end of the agreement term, the facility reverts to SANParks.
• The incumbent concessionaires will not have an option to renew at the end of the term, but will be entitled to bid when the concession is re-tendered.
• The Private Party will have exclusive traversing rights of the Concession Area, which will be off-limits to normal park visitors.
• The concessionaire will be entitled to limited access to the Park, subject to normal park operating rules and hours.
• A maximum of 60 people (guests and staff) are to be accommodated overnight.

Closing date: 3 July 2026.

Bidders must be legal entities capable of forming a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

• Proven track record in luxury lodge or hospitality operations in conservation areas is required.
• Financial capacity for capital investment and operational sustainability is assessed.
• Bidders must meet B-BBEE ownership targets for Black People, Black Women and Youth from local communities.
• Capacity to employ at least 79% of staff from adjacent communities is expected.
• Compliance with CATHSETA or DFFE guide accreditation requirements is mandatory.
• Ability to obtain or transfer environmental authorisations and water licences is required.
• Commitment to Regenerative Tourism principles and SANS 1162 standards is evaluated.
• Acceptance of SANParks' standard PPP agreement terms, including asset reversion and no renewal rights, is required.
• Scores are allocated according to the methodology and weightings in the SANParks B-BBEE scorecard provided in the Request for Proposals.

The Mluwati Concession is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) opportunity in the Kruger National Park.

• Location: off the H1-2 on S36, approximately 40km from Orpen Gate.
• Concession comprises three lodges: Imbali Lodge, Hamilton's Tented Camp and Hoyo-Hoyo Traditional Camp.
• Maximum overnight capacity: 60 people (guests and staff combined).
• Concession size: 10,000 hectares.
• Existing infrastructure: 40km of roads, with an additional 20km developed in 2023.
• The Private Party will have exclusive traversing rights within the concession area, which is off-limits to normal park visitors.
• Access is subject to normal park operating rules and hours.
• The Private Party bears the cost of upgrading existing facilities (roads, buildings, infrastructure) within the current footprint.
• Detailed technical specifications are provided in Annexure A.
• The concession is tendered in accordance with National Treasury's Tourism PPP Toolkit and Treasury Regulation 16.
• SANParks holds title to the land and assets; the facility reverts to SANParks at the end of the agreement term.
• Incumbent concessionaires are not guaranteed renewal but are entitled to bid when the concession is re-tendered.

SANParks evaluates B-BBEE proposals using a dedicated scorecard with specific methodology and weightings.

• The responsible tourism strategy is guided by national guidelines and integrated into park management plans.
• Implementation requires a participatory process involving SANParks stakeholders and business partners.

SANParks' Commercialisation Strategy has demonstrated success through:

• Increased market segmentation and product differentiation, adding over 500 guest beds in the five-star segment.
• Improved efficiencies in restaurant and retail facilities, enhancing visitor experience.
• Significant economic contribution, with over R1.5 billion generated since inception.
• Infrastructure investment valued at R958 million, with assets reverting to SANParks.
• Job creation, with 2100 new jobs in tourism (excluding construction) and 79% of employees recruited from local communities.
• Reported annual spend of R75 million with local community SMMEs.
• Continuous skills transfer and training.
• Positive environmental benchmarks set by commercial operators.

The letting of state property (the concession) must be at market-related tariffs as per Treasury Regulation 16.

• SANParks must review all fees, charges, rates and tariffs annually to ensure sound financial planning.
• The Private Party is responsible for all costs associated with upgrading existing facilities within the current footprint.
• The Private Party must pay a PPP fee to SANParks.

The Private Party must comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulation 16.

• The letting of state property (the concession) must be at market-related tariffs.
• SANParks must review fees, charges and tariffs annually to ensure sound financial planning.
• The Private Party is responsible for financing, refurbishing, designing, building, maintaining and operating the tourism facility at its own risk.
• The Private Party must pay a PPP fee to SANParks.
• The Private Party bears all costs for upgrading existing facilities within the current footprint.

The Private Party must comply with the following:

• B-BBEE: Adhere to SANParks' dedicated B-BBEE scorecard with targets for ownership, management control, employment, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and socio-economic development.
• Environmental regulations: Comply with the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA), National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and other pertinent regulations.
• Responsible tourism: Subscribe to the minimum standards of Responsible Tourism (SANS 1162:2016).
• Permits and licences: Obtain and maintain various permits including firearm permits and a SANParks permit for carrying and using firearms within KNP; permits for game guides, with guides requiring CATHSETA accreditation (or previous THETA) and DFFE registration; SANParks permits for all vehicles and drivers; liquor licences (if applicable); an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and environmental permit from DFFE (existing EIA may be transferable from the current concessionaire); water licences from DWS; and a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) if a site is declared a national monument.
• Competition Act: Subject to its provisions.
• Land claims: Consider obligations related to settlement agreements with dispossessed landowner communities as detailed in the Request for Proposal.

The Private Party must meet broad-based B-BBEE obligations as part of the PPP agreement.

• SANParks uses PPPs to promote B-BBEE and socio-economic transformation.
• Targets are set for direct ownership by black people, black women and black enterprises.
• Targets for effective participation in management control by black people and black women.
• Targets for subcontracting and procurement to black people, black women and black enterprises.
• Aim to benefit SMMEs, the disabled, youth and NGOs within the facility's operational area.
• The Tourism B-BBEE Sector Code outlines the framework for B-BBEE implementation in the tourism industry.
• SANParks' dedicated B-BBEE scorecard includes elements for ownership, management control, employment, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and socio-economic development.

The Private Party must ensure the security and well-being of visitors and staff.

• All operations must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
• Guides must be suitably registered with the DFFE and have CATHSETA accreditation (or previous THETA).
• All vehicles and drivers require SANParks permits.
• A maximum of 60 people (guests and staff) are permitted overnight on site.

The Private Party must operate in line with SANParks' Regenerative Tourism vision, which requires tourism activities to:

• Actively contribute to ecosystem restoration and enhancement.
• Strengthen biodiversity conservation outcomes.
• Support climate resilience and reduce environmental impact.
• Promote inclusive economic participation and transformation.
• Foster meaningful connections between visitors, local communities and conservation landscapes.
• Generate sustainable revenue to support SANParks' conservation mandate.
• Comply with the National Minimum Standard for Responsible Tourism (SANS 1162:2016).
• Adhere to all environmental regulations, including the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA).
• Obtain and maintain an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and environmental permit from DFFE.
• Implement approved Environmental Management Plans.
• Ensure all commercial activities minimise environmental impact and support biodiversity protection.

SANParks disclaims liability for the accuracy and completeness of the Information Memorandum.

• The Information Memorandum is not a basis for investment decisions; bidders must conduct independent due diligence.
• SANParks may amend or replace information in the document at any time without prior notice.
• SANParks will assist the future concessionaire in acquiring environmental permits but bears no liability for failure to obtain them.

SANParks evaluates B-BBEE proposals using a dedicated scorecard with specific methodology and weightings.

• The scorecard is provided as the Recommended SANParks Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Scorecard for the Tender of Six KNP Concessions in the Request for Proposals (RFP).
• The Specific Goals elements identified in the scorecard include ownership, management control, employment, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and socio-economic development.

SANParks is tendering a tourism public-private partnership for the Mluwati Concession Area in the Kruger National Park — one of six concessions (Jock of the Bushveld, Mluwati, Lwakahle, Jakkalsbessie, Mutlumuvi, Mpanamana). The selected Private Party will finance, refurbish, operate and maintain the concession for 25 years, generating revenue for SANParks through PPP fees while SANParks focuses on conservation. The concession includes three lodges (Imbali Lodge, Hamilton's Tented Camp, Hoyo-Hoyo Traditional Camp), staff housing, and access roads and support infrastructure. Value-for-money objectives include revenue generation, B-BBEE and community development (within 100km radius and Dispossessed Land Owner Communities), tourism promotion, optimal asset utilisation, biodiversity protection, and cultural heritage conservation.

Bid closing: 12h00 on 5 October 2026.

Site visit and due diligence: 11 August 2026, 09h00 to 13h00. Not compulsory but encouraged; only official site visit — no individual visits. Registration required via Jabulile Galane (012) 426 5036 / [email protected]. Travel and accommodation at bidder's own cost.

Bidder's conference: 20 August 2026. Registration required via Jabulile Galane (012) 426 5036 / [email protected].

Site visit and due diligence: 11 August 2026, 09h00 to 13h00. Not compulsory but encouraged; only official site visit — no individual visits. Registration required via Jabulile Galane (012) 426 5036 / [email protected]. Travel and accommodation at bidder's own cost. Attendance informs bidders of challenges and opportunities; bidders may take measurements for design.

Bidder's conference: 20 August 2026. Registration required via Jabulile Galane (012) 426 5036 / [email protected].

Only written clarifications from the authorised Project Officer are binding; verbal discussions do not amend the RFP.

Principal contact for due diligence and all tender matters: Jabulile Galane, Project Administrator, SANParks Six KNP Concessions Tender, South African National Parks, 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria. Tel: (012) 426 5036. E-mail: [email protected].

Bids must be submitted in two sealed envelopes to Jabulile Galane, Project Administrator, SANParks Six KNP Concessions Tender, South African National Parks, 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, before 12h00 on 5 October 2026. Late submissions are invalid and returned unopened.

• Envelope 1 (marked "Technical Proposal - Original"): one original physical document and one electronic copy (link details provided at the Bidder's Conference). Contains mandatory compliance documents, Bidder information (Annexure 1A and 1B), Business, Operational and Design Plan, Financing and Capital Plan, Environmental Plan, and Risk Matrix (all per Annexure 2).
• Envelope 2 (marked "Financial Proposal and B-BBEE Proposal"): one original physical document and one physical copy. Contains the PPP Fee Offer (Annexure 4) and B-BBEE Proposal (Annexure 3).
• The electronic copy must be identical to the physical submission, with subfolders in the same sequence and labelling. Do not regenerate or amend RFP forms; only populate required Bidder information.
• Including the Pricing or B-BBEE Proposal in Envelope 1 disqualifies the bid. The PPP fee offer and B-BBEE proposal must not be disclosed on the electronic link.
• All bids and correspondence must be in English. Information in the bid must remain valid for 180 business days from the Bid Date.
• Mandatory returnable documents: original Bid Bond (Annexure 7 wording), original Residual Value Undertaking (Annexure 8 wording), resolutions of the project company/lead member and each member, original SARS tax clearance certificate (issued within six months of the Bid Date) for each South African member, audited annual financial statements for the past 3 years, written statement of Net Asset Value of at least R10 million for shareholders, written confirmation of sufficient cashflow to fund at least three months' operational expenditure of the lodge, and proof of CSD registration.
• Missing any mandatory document may lead to disqualification on grounds of non-compliance.
• Only written changes or clarifications from the authorised Project Officer are binding; verbal discussions do not amend the RFP. SANParks may cancel or amend the tender at any time without notice or liability.

7. Checklist of mandatory returnable documents

Evaluation proceeds in three stages:

• Stage 1 (Compliance): administrative responsiveness — all returnable documents submitted by the closing date and time, and their validity verified. Failure leads to disqualification without functionality evaluation.
• Stage 2 (Functionality): scored out of 100 points. Overall minimum threshold is 80%; each functional sub-category (Financing and Capital Plan, Business and Operational Plan, Environmental Plan, Risk Matrix) has a minimum threshold of 50%. Bids scoring below 80% are disqualified from price and B-BBEE evaluation. Bids passing 80% proceed on equal footing.
• Stage 3 (Price and B-BBEE): 90/10 preference point system under the PPPFA — 90 points for the PPP Fee Offer and 10 points for B-BBEE specific goals per Annexure 3.
• Financial Envelopes are opened only for bids that pass the functionality threshold; otherwise they are returned unopened.
• SANParks may disqualify incomplete bids without requesting further information.

The concession is a tourism public-private partnership for the Mluwati Concession Area in the Kruger National Park, approximately 40km from Orpen Gate, off the H1-2 on S36. The area is 10 000 ha with 40km of existing roads and 20km that can still be developed.

• The Private Party will finance, refurbish, operate and maintain the concession for 25 years under a PPP Agreement, generating revenue for SANParks through PPP fees.
• Existing facilities comprise three lodges: Imbali Lodge (12 rooms, 24 beds, modern thatch and brick, dining areas, boma, pool), Hamilton's Tented Camp (6 tents, 12 beds, Victorian safari style, indoor/outdoor dining, pool), and Hoyo-Hoyo Traditional Camp (6 rondawels, 12 beds, Tsonga style, fire pit, pool).
• Staff housing: 26 beds, separate and fenced, must comply with national building regulations; only single/couple units allowed, no dormitories. Existing staff housing is in poor condition — bidders must propose improvements.
• The Private Party is responsible for upgrading and maintaining all lodge and support infrastructure, including access roads (per SANParks Roads Manual) and stormwater drainage.
• All upgrades must follow detailed design, EIA findings, best industry practice, SANParks standards and the National Building Code.
• Environmental approvals (Basic Assessment or EIA) may be required; these are undertaken by the successful bidder using an independent consultant.
• Bidders must provide a detailed environmental plan and adhere to SANParks and KNP environmental regulations.

Bidders must demonstrate substantial tourism experience and expertise:

• Minimum 5 years' experience operating upmarket to luxury lodges.
• Previous experience operating lodges in protected areas.
• Experience in operating tourism activities such as game drives and game walks.
• Strong marketing and branding experience with existing channel relationships to international tourism markets to South Africa.
• Acceptable hospitality operating and booking/marketing systems.
• Financial capacity: net asset value of at least R10 million, solvent shareholders, ability to raise debt and equity, and sufficient cashflow for initial months of operations.
• Audited financial statements for at least 3 years and a letter confirming asset value and solvency.

The PPP Fee Offer is submitted in Envelope 2 in the format of Annexure 4. The fee is the higher of the Minimum PPP Fee (increased annually by CPIX from year 3) or a Variable PPP Fee (flat percentage of gross revenue). SANParks will not consider a minimum fixed rental PPP fee below R210 000 per month in the first full year and R290 000 per month in the second full year of operations. Including the pricing proposal in Envelope 1 disqualifies the bid.

Bidders must demonstrate financial strength: net asset value of at least R10 million (for consortia, in proportion to shareholding), solvent shareholders, and ability to raise debt and equity and provide security. Audited financial statements for at least 3 years and a letter confirming asset value and solvency are required.

• Sufficient cashflow to fund at least three months' operational expenditure of the lodge must be demonstrated.
• PPP Fee Offer (Annexure 4): the higher of the Minimum PPP Fee (increased annually by CPIX from year 3) or a Variable PPP Fee (flat percentage of gross revenue). SANParks will not consider a minimum fixed rental PPP fee below R210 000 per month in the first full year of operations and R290 000 per month in the second full year.
• Bid Bond: original from a reputable bank, in the form in Annexure 7, valid from bid submission until expiry of the PPP Agreement. Bonds of unsuccessful bidders are returned after the PPP Agreement is signed.
• Bond forfeiture grounds: material misrepresentation, withdrawal or modification of bid during validity, default or breach by the Private Party, or any event caused by the Private Party resulting in losses to SANParks. The bond is callable on first demand.
• Residual Value Undertaking: original payment undertaking per Annexure 8.

Bidder eligibility:

• May be a single company, unincorporated joint venture, consortium or trust.
• At least 30% of equity must be held by the technical/operational partner (with hospitality operations experience) in the SPV.
• Organs of state are excluded except as funders or non-main subcontractors, subject to conditions.
• Disqualification: persons blacklisted by National Treasury (Register for Tender Defaulters), on the CIPC Disqualified Directors Register, litigating against any of the six concessions, or convicted of fraud or corruption.
• Bidders must act with integrity; misrepresentations are prohibited.
• Mandatory documents: original Bid Bond, Residual Value Undertaking, resolutions of project company and members, SARS tax clearance (within 6 months of Bid Date), audited financial statements (3 years), net asset value statement (R10m), cashflow confirmation, and CSD registration proof.
• B-BBEE: 90/10 preference point system; 10 points for specific goals per Annexure 3. Bids must demonstrate how preferential procurement requirements and B-BBEE targets will be met.
• Beneficiation Scheme: 10% equity interest to be set aside for Dispossessed Land Owner Communities on a free-carry basis, with one director appointment; enterprise development support required.
• A Bidder may bid on a maximum of four of the six concessions; SANParks may award a maximum of two to the same Preferred Bidder.
• No changes to bid membership after submission without SANParks approval.

B-BBEE is a key evaluation component under the 90/10 preference point system, with 10 points for specific goals per Annexure 3 (B-BBEE Obligations). Bids must demonstrate how preferential procurement requirements and B-BBEE targets will be met, including timelines.

• Particular attention is given to commitments to meet and exceed compliance targets in the B-BBEE Project Scorecard targeting socio-economic transformation for Local Communities (within 100km of KNP) and Dispossessed Land Owner Communities.
• Beneficiation Scheme requirements: 10% equity interest to be set aside for an entity established by or on behalf of the Dispossessed Land Owner Communities, on a free-carry basis for the duration of the concession, with the right to appoint one director to the board.
• Enterprise development: the Private Party must support community development through procurement, training, and supplier development programmes, or contribute to a centralised fund managed by the Dispossessed Land Owner Communities.
• The B-BBEE Proposal is submitted in Envelope 2 in the format of Annexure 3.

The Private Party must operate in strict compliance with SANParks environmental standards, Protected Areas conservation guidelines, existing environmental authorisations, permits and operating licences.

• Environmental approvals (Basic Assessment or EIA) may be required for prescribed activities; these are prepared by an independent consultant and undertaken by the successful bidder.
• Bidders must provide a detailed environmental plan for the concession, covering adherence to South African, SANParks and KNP environmental regulations.
• Any development changes require detailed design consistent with EIA findings, best industry practice, SANParks standards and the National Building Code.
• The concession is 10 000 ha with 40km of existing roads and 20km to be developed; roads must be operated and maintained per the SANParks Roads Manual.
• Biodiversity protection and conservation, and cultural and heritage resources conservation, are explicit value-for-money objectives.

The PPP Agreement will be for 25 years. The award becomes binding only after SANParks and the Private Party sign the agreement.

• SANParks may amend, supplement or clarify the PPP Agreement at any time without liability.
• Submitting a bid implies full acceptance of all RFP and PPP Agreement terms.
• Bidders bear all costs of preparing and submitting bids; SANParks will not compensate regardless of outcome.
• SANParks is not obliged to reimburse costs if the tender is cancelled, suspended, modified or delayed.
• On expiry or termination, the Private Party must hand over the Concession Area per the handover principles in Schedule 26 of the PPP Agreement.
• Bonds must remain valid from bid submission until expiry of the PPP Agreement; forfeiture grounds include misrepresentation, bid withdrawal, default or breach, or events causing losses to SANParks.

SANParks makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the RFP and disclaims all liability for its use. Bidders must make their own independent appraisal and obtain independent advice.

• SANParks may amend or replace any information in the RFP at any time without prior notice or reason.
• The RFP supersedes all other SANParks communication about this opportunity. Only written changes or clarifications from the authorised Project Officer are binding; e-mail counts as written communication.
• SANParks may cancel the bid at any time without notice and may disqualify any bidder as provided in the RFP, without liability.
• Bids and all correspondence must be in English.
• A bidder may bid on a maximum of four of the six concessions; SANParks may award a maximum of two to the same Preferred Bidder.
• A Reserve Bidder may be appointed if the Preferred Bidder is disqualified or the PPP Agreement is not concluded.
• No person (other than a Lender or B-BBEE material/furniture supplier) may be involved with more than one bidder without SANParks' prior written consent.

Bidder identity and structure:

• Bidder may be a single company, unincorporated joint venture, consortium or trust.
• At least 30% of equity must be held by the technical/operational partner (with hospitality operations experience) in the SPV.
• Organs of state are excluded except as funders or non-main subcontractors, subject to conditions.
• The Business and Operational Plan must detail shareholding structure, equity percentages, roles, responsibilities and directorships.
• On appointment, the Preferred Bidder must incorporate a new special purpose vehicle (Private Party SPV) ring-fenced solely for the concession, before signing the PPP Agreement.
• Bidders must demonstrate ability to raise debt and equity and provide security to SANParks' satisfaction.
• Ownership information and organograms reflecting ownership proportions are required.
• Submissions must follow Annexure 1A (Qualification Criteria) and Annexure 1B (Information on Bidders), and certify information as true, accurate and complete.
• No changes to bid membership after the Bid Submission Date without SANParks' prior approval; requests must be in writing with full details, and the bidder bears SANParks' costs.
• Non-eligible persons: blacklisted by National Treasury, on the CIPC Disqualified Directors Register, litigating against any of the six concessions, or convicted of fraud or corruption — any such involvement leads to rejection.
• Bidders must act with integrity and honesty; bids must not contain misrepresentations.
• A bidder may bid on a maximum of four of the six concessions; SANParks may award a maximum of two to the same Preferred Bidder.

Evaluation stages:

• Stage 1 (Compliance): administrative responsiveness — all returnable documents submitted by closing date and time, and validity verified. Failure leads to disqualification.
• Stage 2 (Functionality): scored out of 100 points; overall minimum threshold 80%, sub-category minimum 50% for Financing and Capital Plan, Business and Operational Plan, Environmental Plan and Risk Matrix. Bids below 80% are disqualified from price and B-BBEE evaluation.
• Stage 3 (Price and B-BBEE): 90/10 preference point system — 90 points for PPP Fee Offer, 10 points for B-BBEE specific goals.
• Financial Envelopes are opened only for bids passing the functionality threshold; otherwise returned unopened.
• Technical Envelopes are opened by the Bid Evaluation Committee in the presence of the Project Officer.
• SANParks may disqualify incomplete bids without requesting further information.