Jakkalsbessie concession PPP: 25-Year lodge & wildlife operations in kruger national park

This Information Memorandum outlines the PPP opportunity for the Jakkalsbessie Concession in Kruger National Park, issued by SANParks. It provides background on SANParks' vision, mandate, and commercialisation strategy, but is not a basis for investment decisions. Bidders should conduct independent due diligence.

Closing date: 3 July 2026.

Open to bidders willing to enter a PPP agreement. Key criteria include: 1. Ability to form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the concession. 2. Commitment to meeting SANParks' B-BBEE and socio-economic transformation targets as per the dedicated scorecard. 3. Financial and technical capability to undertake the investment and long-term operation. 4. No specific equity set-aside for indigenous landowner communities is mandated for this concession. 5. Must comply with South African laws, including the PFMA, NEMPAA, Competition Act, and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment requirements.

The concession involves operating two lodges (Tinga Lodge and Narina Lodge) in the Jakkalsbessie Concession within Kruger National Park.

• Location: Approximately 5km from Skukuza camp, near Skukuza airport and Golf Course.
• Coordinates: Narina Lodge: -24.962111795983976, 31.563073425560987; Tinga Lodge: -24.971450677256733, 31.583311059589995.
• Concession size: 5500 hectares with 120km of road development.
• Staff: 165 staff, most staying off-site.
• The Private Party will have exclusive traversing rights in the Concession Area, which is off-limits to normal park visitors. Access is subject to normal park operating rules and hours.
• A maximum number of people (guests and staff) are to be accommodated overnight, as indicated in the Information Memorandum.
• The Private Party is granted rights to finance, refurbish, design, build, maintain, and operate the tourism facility on state conservation land.
• The Private Party must meet agreed environmental, development, operating, and broad-based B-BBEE obligations, and pay a PPP fee to SANParks.
• SANParks or the State retains title to the land and assets. At the end of the agreement term, the facility reverts to SANParks. Incumbent concessionaires will not have an option to renew but are entitled to bid if the concession is re-tendered.
• SANParks follows the PPP feasibility and procurement processes set out in National Treasury’s PPP Toolkit for Tourism (www.ppp.gov.za).

The Private Party must pay a PPP fee to SANParks. SANParks must let state property at market-related tariffs as per Treasury Regulation 16, and review fees annually for sound financial planning.

The Private Party must pay a PPP fee to SANParks.

• SANParks, as a Schedule 3A public entity under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), must manage state assets in a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective manner.
• Treasury Regulation 16 requires that the letting of immovable state property must be at market-related tariffs unless otherwise approved by the relevant treasury. No state property may be let free of charge without prior treasury approval.
• SANParks must review all fees, charges, rates, tariffs, or scales of fees related to the letting of state property at least annually when finalizing the budget to ensure sound financial planning and management.

The Private Party must comply with the following:

• B-BBEE: SANParks has developed a dedicated B-BBEE scorecard for the six KNP concessions. Bidders must submit a B-BBEE proposal which will be scored according to the scorecard provided in the RFP. Targets include ownership by Black People, Black Women, and Youth within 100km of KNP; management control by Black People, Black Women, Youth, and local community members; employment of Black People, Black Women, Youth, and local community members; skills development; preferential procurement from B-BBEE recognised entities and local SMMEs; enterprise and supplier development; and socio-economic development contributions.
• Environmental Permits: All developments are subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and require an environmental permit from DFFE. Existing concessionaires have an EIA that can be transferred to the new Private Party SPV within 30-90 days. SANParks will assist but bears no liability for failure to obtain permits.
• Water Licences: Required from DWS as per Annexure A. The licence is held by the current concessionaire SPV and should be transferred to the new Private Party SPV (minimum 30 days). SANParks will assist but bears no liability.
• Other Permits/Licences: Firearm permits (by law and SANParks permit); permits for game guides; SANParks permits for all vehicles and drivers; liquor licences (if applicable); compliance with the Competition Act; Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) if a site is declared a national monument.
• Guiding Requirements: All guides must be suitably registered with DFFE through a training provider to ensure CATHSETA accreditation (or previous THETA certification with current DFFE registration). FGASA is not accepted by DFFE for registration.
• Responsible Tourism: The Private Party must comply and subscribe to the minimum standards of Responsible Tourism – SANS 1162.
• Land Claims: Bidders must refer to the RFP for obligations related to Settlement Agreements with Dispossessed Land Owner Communities, which include a beneficiation scheme.

SANParks uses PPPs to promote B-BBEE and socio-economic transformation. A dedicated B-BBEE scorecard for the six KNP concessions includes targets for:

• Ownership by Black People, Black Women, and Youth within 100km of KNP in the SPV.
• Management control involvement by Black People, Black Women, Youth, and local community members.
• Employment of Black People, Black Women, Youth, and local community members at all levels.
• Skills development expenditure and participation in learnerships/apprenticeships for Black People.
• Preferential procurement from B-BBEE recognised entities and local SMMEs owned by Black Women and Youth.
• Enterprise and supplier development for local companies.
• Socio-economic development contributions to local communities and the tourism industry.

Bidders' B-BBEE proposals will be scored according to this scorecard in the RFP.

The Private Party must operate in a manner that supports biodiversity protection, minimises environmental impact, and contributes to the long-term sustainability of the protected area.

• Compliance with the National Minimum Standard for Responsible Tourism (SANS 1162) is required.
• All developments require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and environmental permit from DFFE. Existing EIAs may be transferred.
• The Private Party must adhere to environmental regulations under NEM:PAA and other applicable laws.
• SANParks promotes Regenerative Tourism, which requires tourism activities to actively contribute to ecosystem restoration, strengthen biodiversity conservation, support climate resilience, promote inclusive economic participation, foster connections between visitors and communities, and generate sustainable revenue for conservation.

SANParks disclaims liability for the accuracy of the Information Memorandum. Bidders must conduct independent due diligence. SANParks may change information without prior notice. SANParks will assist with environmental permit transfers but bears no liability for failure to obtain permits.

• This is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a 25-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) concession in the Kruger National Park.
• SANParks aims to generate revenue through PPP fees while focusing on conservation.
• The Private Party will finance, refurbish, operate, and maintain the Jakkalsbessie Concession Area.
• Key objectives include revenue generation, B-BBEE, job creation, tourism promotion, optimal asset utilisation, biodiversity protection, and cultural heritage conservation.
• SANParks has a Beneficiation Scheme for Dispossessed Land Owner Communities, including provisions for tender participation, partnership terms, a mandatory 10% free-carry equity stake for communities, and enterprise development programmes.
• General tender rules: Only written communications from SANParks are binding; SANParks reserves rights to amend, cancel, or disqualify; bidders bear all costs; bids governed by South African law.

• Closing date and time for bid submissions: 5 October 2026 at 12h00.
• Site visit: 13 August 2026 from 09h00 to 13h00. Registration required with Jabulile Galane (details in contact). Not compulsory but encouraged.
• Bidder’s conference: 20 August 2026. Registration required with Jabulile Galane.

• For site visit registration, bidder’s conference, and due diligence: Jabulile Galane, Project Administrator. Telephone: (012) 426 5036. Email: [email protected].
• Bid submission address: Jabulile Galane, Project Administrator: SANParks Six KNP Concessions Tender, South African National Parks, 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria.
• All official communications must be in writing from the authorised Project Officer. Email counts as written communication.

• Submit bids to: Jabulile Galane, Project Administrator: SANParks Six KNP Concessions Tender, South African National Parks, 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria.
• Deadline: Before 12h00 on 5 October 2026. Late submissions will be invalid and returned unopened.
• Submission format: Two sealed envelopes – Envelope 1 (Technical Proposal) and Envelope 2 (Financial Proposal and B-BBEE Proposal). Each must have the Bid Cover Sheet from Annexure 6 attached.
• Envelope 1 must contain one original physical document and one electronic copy. Envelope 2 must contain one original and one physical copy.
• Mandatory returnable documents (checklist in Section 7) must be included, or risk disqualification. These include Bid Bond, Residual Value Undertaking, Tax Clearance Certificates, Audited Financials, proof of CSD registration, and others.
• All documents and correspondence must be in English.
• Bids are valid for 180 business days.
• Do not include Pricing or B-BBEE Proposal in Envelope 1 – this will cause disqualification.
• Electronic copy must be identical to the physical submission.
• Bidders bear all costs of preparation; no compensation from SANParks.

Bidder must be a single company, unincorporated JV, consortium, or trust with minimum 30% equity held by technical/operational partner. Minimum R10 million asset value (proportional for JVs). No organs of state except as funders. No blacklisted persons, disqualified directors, or those with fraud/corruption convictions. Must demonstrate 5+ years upmarket/luxury lodge experience, protected area operations experience, game drive/walk operations, strong international marketing channels, and acceptable hospitality systems. Must commit to B-BBEE obligations including 10% equity for Dispossessed Land Owner Communities, enterprise development, and preferential procurement targets. Must demonstrate ability to raise debt/equity and provide security.

• Project Scope: 25-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the Jakkalsbessie Concession in Kruger National Park.
• Concession Rights: Operate accommodation (two lodges), food & beverage, retail, wildlife activities (drives & walks), and manage roads and environmental infrastructure.
• Location: Approximately 5km from Skukuza camp, 5500 hectares with 120km of roads.
• Existing Facilities:

• Two lodges: Tinga Lodge (9 suites, 18 beds, main lodge with amenities) and Narina Lodge (9 suites on stilts).
• Staff housing: 40 single rooms with bathrooms.
• Access roads and support infrastructure.

• Development Requirements: Private Party bears all costs for upgrading existing facilities within the specified footprint. Any changes require Detailed Design compliant with EIA findings, SANParks standards, and National Building Code.
• Environmental Compliance: Must adhere to strict SANParks environmental standards, Protected Areas guidelines, and existing permits. A detailed environmental plan is required.
• Operations: Must maintain and operate infrastructure (including roads per SANParks Roads Manual) and respect all SANParks regulations.

• Financial Capacity: Minimum net asset value of R10 million. Provide audited financials for 3 years and proof of solvency.
• Tourism Experience Required:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in upmarket/luxury lodge operations.
• Experience operating lodges in protected areas.
• Experience in tourism activities (game drives, walks).
• Strong marketing/branding and international tourism market channels.
• Acceptable hospitality operating and booking systems.

• Environmental Commitment: Must undertake to adhere to all relevant environmental regulations and provide a detailed environmental plan.

• Pricing Proposal (PPP Fee Offer) must be submitted separately in Envelope 2, using the format in Annexure 4.
• Including the Pricing Proposal in Envelope 1 (Technical Proposal) will result in disqualification.

• Bid and Performance Bond: A single bond of R500,000 required at submission, valid until PPP Agreement expiry. Format per Annexure 7.
• Bond can be replaced by a Performance Bond (R500,000 VAT excl., CPI-adjusted annually) after commencement, at Preferred Bidder's election.
• Financial Capacity: Bidder must demonstrate net asset value of at least R10 million. For consortia/JVs, calculate proportionally per shareholder.
• Proof Required: Audited financial statements for past 3 years, letter confirming asset value and solvency, written confirmation of sufficient cashflow for at least three months' operational expenditure.
• PPP Fee Offer: Must be submitted in Annexure 4 format. SANParks will not consider a minimum fixed rental below R390,000/month in Year 1 and R530,000/month in Year 2.
• Fee Structure: SANParks receives the higher of a Minimum PPP Fee (increased annually by CPIX from Year 3) or a Variable PPP Fee (percentage of gross revenue).

• Mandatory Documents: Must submit all items in the checklist (Section 7), including Bid Bond, Residual Value Undertaking, Tax Clearance Certificates (within last 6 months), Audited Financials (3 years), proof of CSD registration.
• B-BBEE: Minimum B-BBEE Contributor Status of Level 4 required on a consolidated scorecard. Must submit a B-BBEE Proposal per Annexure 3, committing to meet/exceed all 8 compliance targets.
• Entity Structure: Bidder can be a single company, unincorporated JV, consortium, or trust. Minimum 30% equity must be held by a technical/operational partner with hospitality experience.
• Public Institutions: Generally excluded unless participating as a funder or under specific approved conditions.
• Non-Eligible Persons: Bids involving persons blacklisted by National Treasury, on the Disqualified Directors Register, litigating against the concessions, or convicted of fraud/corruption will be rejected.
• Incorporation: Preferred Bidder must incorporate a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) prior to signing the PPP Agreement.
• Change in Membership: Not permitted after bid submission without SANParks approval.

• The Private Party must operate in strict compliance with SANParks environmental standards, Protected Areas guidelines, and existing authorisations.
• A detailed environmental plan for the Concession is required.
• Upgrades and new works must align with EIA findings, Best Industry Practice, SANParks standards, and the National Building Code.
• The concession area is within a national park; necessary environmental approvals (Basic Assessment or EIA) are required and will be undertaken by the successful bidder.

• The PPP Agreement is for 25 years. Draft agreements are included in tender documents; SANParks reserves the right to modify them.
• PPP Fee is the higher of a Minimum Fee or a Variable Fee based on revenue.
• Handover principles: 5-month handover process from existing concessionaire upon award.
• At contract end, handover to new operator per Schedule 26 of the PPP Agreement.
• Bid and Performance Bond of R500,000 is required; grounds for forfeiture include misrepresentation, bid withdrawal, default, or causing losses to SANParks.

• Evaluation is a three-stage process: Compliance, Functionality, then Price and B-BBEE.
• Functionality threshold is 80% overall, with sub-category minimums of 50%.
• The 90/10 preference point system applies in the final stage.
• Specific goals for B-BBEE are detailed in Annexure 3.