Mpanamana concession, kruger national park: 25-Year tourism PPP to finance, refurbish, operate and maintain lodges, tented camps and wildlife activities

This is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) opportunity for a 25-year concession to operate, upgrade, refurbish, and finance the Mpanamana Concession in Kruger National Park. SANParks aims to generate revenue through PPP fees while focusing on conservation. The Private Party must develop and operate in strict compliance with SANParks environmental standards and existing authorisations. Value-for-money objectives include revenue generation, B-BBEE, job creation, tourism promotion, optimal asset utilisation, biodiversity protection, and cultural heritage conservation. SANParks has specific B-BBEE and socio-economic transformation goals detailed in Annexure 3. The Beneficiation Scheme requires the Private Party to set aside 10% equity for Dispossessed Land Owner Communities on a free-carry basis and support community development.

Site Visit: 4 August 2026, 09h00 to 13h00. Not compulsory but encouraged; only official site visit. Registration required with Jabulile Galane. Travel and accommodation costs are for bidders' own account.

Bidder's Conference: 20 August 2026. Registration required with Jabulile Galane.

Bid Submission Deadline: 5 October 2026 at 12h00.

A site visit and due diligence process is organised for Bidders. The site visit is planned for 4 August 2026 from 09h00 to 13h00. Bidders must register by sending names, company, contact telephone, and email to Jabulile Galane. This is the only official site visit. A Bidder's conference will be held on 20 August 2026, and registration is required. Travel and accommodation costs are for Bidders' own account.

Principal contact for site visit registration, Bidder's Conference registration, and due diligence matters: 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.

Bids must be submitted 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.

Two sealed envelopes are required:

• Envelope 1 (marked "Technical Proposal - Original"): one original physical document and one electronic copy (link details provided at the Bidder's Conference).
• Envelope 2 (marked "Financial Proposal and B-BBEE Proposal"): one original physical document and one physical copy.

Each envelope must have the Bid Cover Letter (Annexure 6 format) attached to the front. The electronic copy must be identical to the physical submission, with the same folder structure and labelling. Bidders must not regenerate or amend RFP forms; only populate required bidder information.

Including the Pricing or B-BBEE Proposal in Envelope 1 will result in disqualification. All bid information must remain valid for 180 business days from the Bid Date.

Mandatory returnable documents (missing any may cause disqualification):

• Original Bid Bond from a reputable bank (Annexure 7 wording)
• Original Residual Value Undertaking (Annexure 8 wording)
• Resolution of the Project Company or Lead Member
• Resolution of each other Member
• Original tax clearance certificate from SARS 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 (proportionate for consortium partners)
• Written confirmation of sufficient cashflow funding for at least three months operational expenditure
• Proof of Central Supplier Database registration

Bids must be in English. Bidders must appoint duly authorised representatives with legal power of attorney and provide their names in the bidding documents.

Mandatory returnable documents include: Bid Bond in the form of Annexure 7, Residual Value Undertaking in the form of Annexure 8, Resolution of the Project Company or Lead Member, Resolution of Each Member, Tax Clearance Certificate from SARS within six months, Audited Annual Financial Statements for the past 3 years, written statement of Net Asset Value of at least R10 million, written confirmation of sufficient cashflow for three months operational expenditure, and proof of registration on Central Supplier Database.

Evaluation is a three-stage process:

• Stage 1 (Compliance): administrative responsiveness, submission of returnable documents by the deadline, and validity of all returnable documents. Failure leads to disqualification.
• Stage 2 (Functionality): scored out of 100 based on Annexure 2 criteria. Minimum overall threshold is 80% to proceed. Sub-categories (Financial and Capital Plan, Business and Operational Plan, Environmental Plan, Risk Matrix) each have a minimum pass mark of 50%.
• Stage 3 (Price and B-BBEE): 90/10 preference point system. 90 points for the highest acceptable PPP Fee Offer; 10 points for specific goals (B-BBEE Contributor Status Level 4 or higher = 2 points; commitment to meet/exceed all Annexure 3 compliance targets = 8 points).

SANParks may appoint a bidder who scored the highest points for their B-BBEE Proposal (exceeding minimum compliance targets) even if not the highest on price, to promote empowerment of Black Women, Youth, and Communities.

Scope: 25-year PPP concession to finance, refurbish, operate and maintain the Mpanamana Concession in Kruger National Park. The Private Party bears the cost of upgrading existing facilities, roads, buildings and infrastructure within the existing footprint.

Location: Kruger National Park, off S28, approximately 20 km from Crocodile Bridge Gate.

Size: Approximately 15,000 ha, with 34 km of existing game drive roads and up to 75 km of new roads permissible upon approval.

Existing guest facilities (three lodges):

• Shishangeni Lodge (main lodge): 22 rooms (44 guests), dining area, lounge with bar and fireplace, kitchen, curio shop, admin offices, conference room, gym, pool, boma, raised wooden walkways. Units 5 & 6 and 21 & 22 are family units with interleading doors.
• Camp Shonga (thatched tented camp): 5 luxury tents (10 guests), lounge, dining area, communal pool, boma, two staff units.
• Camp Shawu: 5 units (10 guests), indoor and outdoor dining, lounge, kitchen, communal pool, en-suite bathrooms with outside showers, unit 3 has an outside jacuzzi.

Staff housing: 30 beds on site. Existing staff housing at Shishangeni (old army barracks, Wendy huts, asbestos structures) requires attention and refurbishment. Only single/couple accommodation units allowed, not dormitories. Must comply with national building regulations and Information Memorandum standards.

Infrastructure: Private Party solely responsible for upgrade and maintenance of all lodge and support infrastructure, including internal and external access roads, water, waste, electricity, communications. Roads must be operated and maintained per the SANParks Roads Manual.

Environmental compliance: Must adhere to SANParks environmental standards, Protected Areas conservation guidelines, and existing environmental authorisations. A Basic Assessment or EIA may be required for prescribed activities; to be undertaken by the successful bidder. Any changes require Detailed Design aligned with EIA findings, best industry practice, SANParks requirements, and the National Building Code.

Financial capacity: Shareholders must demonstrate a net asset value of at least R10 million, provide audited financials for 3 years, and confirm solvency.

Tourism/hospitality experience (required for the technical/operational partner holding minimum 30% equity):

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

Environmental plan: Must undertake to adhere to all environmental regulations and provide a detailed plan for the concession.

The 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.

The PPP Fee Offer is evaluated using the prescribed price formula in the regulations to the PPPFA, 2022. Maximum points are awarded to the qualified bidder with the highest acceptable PPP Fee Offer. The 90/10 preference point system applies, with 90 points for price and 10 points for specific goals. Specific goals points include: B-BBEE Contributor Status of at least Level 4 (2 points) and commitment to meet and/or exceed all targets in Annexure 3 (8 points).

Bid Bond: Original from a reputable bank, in a form substantially similar to Annexure 7.

Residual Value Undertaking: Original, in a form substantially similar to Annexure 8.

Financial capacity: Bidder (or shareholders proportionally for consortiums/joint ventures) must have a net asset value of at least R10 million. Provide audited financial statements for the past 3 years and a letter confirming asset value and shareholder solvency.

Cashflow: Must demonstrate sufficient cashflow funding for at least three months operational expenditure of the lodge.

Financing ability: Must demonstrate ability to raise debt and equity and provide security to SANParks' satisfaction.

PPP Fee Offer: Submitted in Envelope 2 using Annexure 4 format. Minimum PPP fees apply: not less than R410,000 per month in the first full year and R510,000 per month in the second full year. The PPP fee payable is the higher of the Minimum PPP Fee (increased annually by CPIX from year 3) or a Variable PPP Fee (a percentage of gross revenue).

Evaluation of the PPP Fee Offer uses the prescribed price formula in the PPPFA regulations, 2022, with maximum points to the highest acceptable offer.

Central Supplier Database (CSD): Proof of registration is mandatory.

Tax clearance: Original SARS tax clearance certificate issued within six months of the Bid Date for each South African member.

B-BBEE: Minimum B-BBEE Contributor Status Level 4 required on a consolidated scorecard for shareholders. Must commit to meeting/exceeding all compliance targets in Annexure 3 (B-BBEE Obligations).

Entity structure: Bidder may be a single company, unincorporated joint venture, consortium, or trust. A minimum of 30% of equity must be held by the technical/operational partner with hospitality operations experience.

Organs of state: Generally excluded unless participating only as a funder or under specific approved conditions.

Non-eligible persons: Bids involving persons blacklisted by National Treasury, listed on the Disqualified Director's Register, initiating litigation regarding any of the six concessions, or convicted of fraud/corruption will be rejected.

Beneficiation Scheme: The Private Party must set aside a 10% equity interest for Dispossessed Land Owner Communities on a free-carry basis for the concession duration, appoint one director to the board, and support community development through procurement, training, and supplier development programmes.

Bidders may submit bids for a maximum of four out of six concessions; SANParks may award the same Preferred Bidder a maximum of two concessions.

SANParks has identified Specific Goals for the project articulated in Annexure 3 (B-BBEE Obligations). Bids must demonstrate how the Preferential Procurement Requirements will be met, including timelines and targets. Particular attention will be paid to Bidders' B-BBEE proposals, especially commitments to meet and exceed compliance targets in the B-BBEE Project Scorecard targeting socio-economic transformation for Local Communities and/or Dispossessed Land Owner Communities.

The government and Dispossessed Land Owner Communities have entered into settlement agreements regarding land claims in the KNP. The settlement comprises two phases: phase one entails financial compensation for loss of improvements; phase two entails the development of a beneficiation scheme by SANParks to ensure these communities benefit from commercial, job, and other economic opportunities from the KNP. The principal terms of the Beneficiation Scheme include: tender participation, partnership terms, equity in concessions (10% equity interest on a free carry basis with one director appointment), and enterprise development through procurement, training, and supplier development programmes.

The Private Party must operate in strict compliance with SANParks environmental standards, Protected Areas guidelines, and existing environmental authorisations. A Basic Assessment or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be required for prescribed activities; this will be undertaken by the successful bidder. Upgrades and new developments must follow Detailed Design aligned with EIA findings, best industry practice, SANParks requirements, and the National Building Code. The concession area is approximately 15,000 ha within Kruger National Park. The Environmental Plan is a scored component of the functionality evaluation (20% weighting).

The PPP Agreement becomes legally binding from the Signature Date. No PPP fees are payable before the Operations Commencement Date. The handover process at the beginning of the PPP Agreement term must be completed within five months from signing: the first three months for negotiation and two months for the Concessionaire to vacate. Detailed handover terms are set out in the Handover Agreement.

SANParks reserves the right to modify the RFP, timetable, or PPP Agreements at any time without liability. Bidders bear all costs associated with bid preparation. Each bidder must appoint duly authorised representatives with legal power of attorney. Non-eligible persons (blacklisted, disqualified directors, litigants, convicted of fraud/corruption) cannot be involved.

Bidders must meet the following qualification criteria: financial capacity with asset value of at least R10 million, audited financial statements for at least 3 years, demonstration of ability to raise debt and equity, and sufficient cashflows for initial months of operations. Tourism experience: at least 5 years' experience in upmarket to luxury lodge operations, previous experience in protected areas, experience in operating tourism activities such as game drives and walks, strong marketing and branding experience with international tourism market channels, and acceptable hospitality operating and booking systems. Environmental undertakings: commitment to adhere to environmental regulations and provide a detailed environmental plan.

Bidders must be a single company, unincorporated joint venture, consortium, or trust. A minimum of 30% of equity must be held by the technical/operational partner. Bids from organs of state are rejected unless specific conditions are met. Bidders must provide detailed shareholding structure, and on appointment as Preferred Bidder, must incorporate a special purpose vehicle (SPV) in South Africa. Bidders must demonstrate ability to raise debt and equity and provide security. They must also provide information on ownership and organograms.

Non-eligible persons include those blacklisted by National Treasury, listed on the Disqualified Director's Register, initiating litigation against any of the six concessions, or found guilty of fraud or corruption. Bidders must act with integrity and honesty, and bids must not contain misrepresentations.

Bidders may submit bids for a maximum of four out of six concessions. SANParks may award the same Preferred Bidder for a maximum of two concessions. A Reserve Bidder may be appointed if the Preferred Bidder is disqualified or cannot conclude the agreement. No person may be involved with more than one Bidder without prior written consent, except lenders and B-BBEE material/furniture suppliers under strict information barriers.

Evaluation is a three-stage process: Stage 1 Compliance (administrative responsiveness, submission of returnable documents, validity verification); Stage 2 Functionality Evaluation (based on Annexure 2 criteria, minimum threshold of 80% to proceed); Stage 3 Price and B-BBEE (90/10 preference point system, 90 points for price, 10 points for specific goals).

SANParks reserves the right to appoint a bidder who scored the highest points for their B-BBEE Proposal, exceeding minimum compliance targets, even if such bidder did not score the highest points in terms of price, to promote empowerment of Black Women, Youth, and Communities.

SANParks, a public entity established under the National Parks Act and Protected Areas Act, aims to ensure sustainable conservation, diverse tourism, and socio-economic transformation. The project appoints a suitably experienced operator to finance, refurbish, operate, and maintain the Mpanamana Concession Area in the Kruger National Park. The Private Party will not acquire ownership of the Concession Area or SANParks' intellectual property.

Eligibility requirements:

• Must be a registered South African proprietary limited company.
• Must not be a Restricted Enterprise (listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters, the Disqualified Directors' Register, or any other relevant legal listing).
• Must have a Technical Partner with proven hospitality and lodge operations experience.
• Must demonstrate financial capacity to fund refurbishment and operations.
• Must meet B-BBEE compliance requirements.
• Must obtain all necessary consents and permits from responsible authorities.
• Must comply with environmental laws, including NEMA, the Protected Areas Act, and related legislation.
• Must not employ SANParks employees during the contract term.

SANParks' objectives include sustainable conservation, responsible tourism, and socio-economic transformation.

Scope of work:

• Finance, refurbish, operate, and maintain the Mpanamana Concession Area in the Kruger National Park.
• Provide tourism accommodation and all ancillary services.
• Operate the lodge and recreational concession as a going concern.
• Conduct day and night wildlife drives using vehicles that meet SANParks' standards.
• Undertake refurbishment and infrastructural development as per the capital investment proposed in the bid submission.

Operational requirements:

• Comply with SANParks' operational requirements, Park Rules, Park Management Plan, and Environmental Specifications (Schedule 7).
• Conduct hygiene audits at the facility at least twice a year.
• Adhere to Good Industry Practice, defined as the skill, diligence, prudence, and foresight expected of a skilled and experienced contractor.
• Comply with all applicable environmental laws, including the National Water Act, NEMA, the Protected Areas Act, the Air Quality Act, the Hazardous Substances Act, and the National Heritage Resources Act.
• An Environmental Impact Assessment may be required for developments or activities.

The PPP Fee comprises a Minimum PPP Fee (payable regardless of Gross Revenue) and a Variable PPP Fee, detailed in Clause 17.3. The PPP Fee excludes the Conservation Levy. Residual Value is calculated based on depreciation for income tax purposes, using rates not less than normal custom and practice.

PPP Fee:

• Comprises a Minimum PPP Fee (payable regardless of Gross Revenue) and a Variable PPP Fee, as detailed in Clause 17.3.
• Excludes the Conservation Levy.

Residual Value:

• Payable by the Private Party to SANParks within 3 business days before the expiry of the Long Stop Date, as a condition precedent.
• Calculated based on depreciation for income tax purposes, using rates not less than normal custom and practice.

Performance Bond:

• Must be provided as a guarantee from a financial institution or a cash deposit, in the format specified in Schedule 11.

B-bbee:

• Must comply with B-BBEE Obligations as set out in Schedule 5, in line with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.

Restricted Enterprise:

• Must not be listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters, the Disqualified Directors' Register, or any other relevant legal listing.

Corrupt practices:

• Must avoid any corrupt acts, including bribery, corruption, extortion, or fraud.

Legal compliance:

• Must comply with all applicable laws, including the Consumer Protection Act, Protected Areas Act, Public Finance Management Act, Protection of Personal Information Act, and Treasury Regulations.
• Must obtain all necessary consents, permits, and licences from responsible authorities.

Documentation:

• Must submit constitutional documents (memorandum of incorporation, shareholders' agreement, etc.) as per Schedule 9.
• Must maintain project insurances as required by law and Clause 19, with minimum terms in Schedule 10.

The Private Party must comply with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and related amendments. B-BBEE Obligations are imposed as set out in Schedule 5. Definitions include 'Black Economic Empowerment', 'Black People', and 'B-BBEE' as per the B-BBEE Act.

The Private Party must comply with environmental laws including the National Water Act, Water Services Act, National Environmental Management Act, Protected Areas Act, Air Quality Act, Hazardous Substances Act, and National Heritage Resources Act. Environmental provisions include the Environmental Specifications for operators within the Protected Area (Schedule 7), plus all applicable laws, standards, Park Rules, and the Park Management Plan. An Environmental Impact Assessment may be required for developments or activities.

The agreement covers: conditions precedent, appointment, a 25-year project term, exclusive PPP rights, residual value, private party undertakings, warranties, indemnities, liability limitations, handover principles, site, operation management and maintenance, prohibition of employing SANParks employees, black economic empowerment, financial provisions and payment, performance bond, project insurances, reinstatement, economic test, SANParks step-in, permits, reporting requirements, information and audit access, force majeure, defaults, corrupt gifts and fraud, termination effects, dispute resolution, change in control and ownership, cession and transfer, intellectual property, amendments, entire agreement, variation, severability, governing law, confidentiality, consents, notices, stipulation for lenders, counterparts, and numerous schedules detailing operational, financial, B-BBEE, environmental, and technical specifications.

SANParks' objectives include sustainable conservation, diverse, responsible and quality tourism, and socio-economic transformation.