Mutlumuvi concession PPP agreement – kruger national park (25-Year lodge & tented camp operation) – final draft for review

This is an Information Memorandum for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) opportunity for the Mutlumuvi Concession in Kruger National Park.

• SANParks issues this document in accordance with National Treasury's Tourism PPP Toolkit and Treasury Regulation 16.
• The Private Party will be granted rights to finance, refurbish, design, build, maintain, and operate a tourism facility on state conservation land.
• In return, the Private Party must meet environmental, development, operating, and B-BBEE obligations, and pay a PPP fee.
• SANParks or the State retains title to land and assets; the facility reverts to SANParks at the end of the term.
• Incumbent concessionaires cannot renew but may bid when re-tendered.
• The Private Party has exclusive traversing rights in the concession area, which is off-limits to normal park visitors.
• Access is subject to park operating rules and hours.
• The concession includes Rhino Post Safari Lodge, Plains Camp Rhino Walking Safaris, and 4 Sleep Out decks.
• Located approximately 18 km from Skukuza.
• Total capacity: 24 guest beds (plus 8 on sleep out decks) and 13 staff beds.
• SANParks follows National Treasury's PPP Toolkit processes (www.ppp.gov.za).

Closing date: 3 July 2026.

SANParks will evaluate bidders using a dedicated B-BBEE scorecard for the six KNP concessions, with methodology and weightings provided in the Request for Proposals (RFP).

• Ownership: targets for ownership by Black People, Black Women, and Youth within a 100km radius of KNP in the private party SPV.
• Management Control: targets for involvement in management of the SPV by Black People, Black Women, Youth, and people from local communities.
• Employment: targets for employment of Black People, Black Women, Youth, and people from local communities at all levels.
• Skills Development: targets for skills development expenditure on Black People, Black Women, and Youth from local communities, and for the number of Black People in learnerships, apprenticeships, and internships.
• Preferential Procurement: targets for procuring goods and services from B-BBEE recognised, Black Women, and Youth from local community-owned companies and SMMEs.
• Enterprise and Supplier Development: targets for contributing to enterprise and supplier development of local companies and socio-economic development of local communities and the tourism industry.
• Bidders must refer to the RFP for obligations related to settlement agreements on concession opportunities.

The concession comprises Rhino Post Safari Lodge, Plains Camp Rhino Walking Safaris, and 4 Sleep Out decks.

• Located in Kruger National Park, off H1-2, approximately 18 km from Skukuza.
• Coordinates for the main lodge (Rhino Post): -24.92339100791013, 31.661023153132597.
• Total capacity: 24 guest beds (plus 8 on sleep out decks) and 13 staff beds.
• 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.
• The Private Party is responsible for financing, refurbishing, designing, building, maintaining, and operating the tourism facility on state conservation land.
• Must meet environmental, development, operating, and broad-based B-BBEE obligations, and pay a PPP fee to SANParks.
• SANParks or the State retains title to land and assets; the facility reverts to SANParks at the end of the agreement term.
• Incumbent concessionaires cannot renew but are entitled to bid when the concession is re-tendered.
• The concession follows National Treasury's PPP Toolkit for Tourism processes (www.ppp.gov.za).

SANParks evaluates bidders' B-BBEE proposals using a dedicated scorecard with specific methodology and weightings provided in the Request for Proposals (RFP).

• The evaluation includes targets for ownership, management control, employment, skills development, preferential procurement, and enterprise and supplier development.
• Bidders must refer to the RFP for obligations related to settlement agreements on concession opportunities.

SANParks' Commercialisation Strategy has demonstrated:

• Increased market segmentation and product differentiation with over 500 additional guest beds in the five-star segment.
• Improved efficiencies in restaurant and retail facilities, enhancing visitor experience.
• Increased contribution to the broader economy through the tourism multiplier effect.
• Total monetary contribution of over R1.5 billion since inception.
• Increased infrastructure in national parks valued at R958 million, with assets reverting to SANParks.
• Refurbishment of aging infrastructure worth R20 million.
• Significant commercial risk transfer to the private sector, including EIA, construction, availability, insolvency, market demand, and operating risks.
• Effective contract management is essential as SANParks remains exposed to risks experienced by the Private Party.

The financial framework is governed by:

• The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), under which SANParks is a Schedule 3A public entity.
• Treasury Regulation 16, which 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 concession agreement involves the Private Party paying a PPP fee to SANParks.

The Private Party must comply with:

• Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) obligations as per SANParks' dedicated B-BBEE scorecard for the six KNP concessions.
• Specific targets for ownership, management control, employment, skills development, preferential procurement, and enterprise and supplier development.
• Environmental regulations, including obtaining permits and licences such as firearm permits, game guide permits, SANParks vehicle permits, liquor licences (if applicable), environmental permits (EIA), and water licences.
• Guides must be registered with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) through a training provider with CATHSETA accreditation (or previous THETA certification) and current DFFE registration; FGASA is not accepted.
• Compliance with the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA), National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), and other relevant legislation.
• Adherence to the National Minimum Standard for Responsible Tourism (SANS 1162).
• Settlement agreements related to land claims in KNP, which involve equitable redress and a beneficiation scheme for dispossessed landowner communities.
• All necessary permits and certifications identified in Annexure A – Technical Specifications on Private Party Requirements.

SANParks has developed a dedicated B-BBEE scorecard for the six KNP concessions with specific targets:

• Ownership: Targets for ownership by Black People, Black Women, and Youth within a 100km radius of KNP in the private party SPV.
• Management Control: Targets for involvement in management of the SPV by Black People, Black Women, Youth, and people from local communities.
• Employment: Targets for employment of Black People, Black Women, Youth, and people from local communities at all levels.
• Skills Development: Targets for skills development expenditure on Black People, Black Women, and Youth from local communities, and for the number of Black People in learnerships, apprenticeships, and internships.
• Preferential Procurement: Targets for procuring goods and services from B-BBEE recognised, Black Women, and Youth from local community-owned companies and SMMEs.
• Enterprise and Supplier Development: Targets for contributing to enterprise and supplier development of local companies and socio-economic development of local communities and the tourism industry.
• The Tourism B-BBEE Sector Code (2009) and Amended Tourism B-BBEE Sector Code (2015) outline the framework for B-BBEE implementation in the tourism industry.
• SANParks evaluates bidders' B-BBEE proposals and allocates scores according to the methodology and weightings in the B-BBEE scorecard provided in the RFP.

The Private Party must comply with extensive environmental requirements:

• Adhere to the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA) and other relevant environmental legislation.
• Implement Regenerative Tourism principles, which require 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.
• Obtain necessary permits and licences, including environmental permits (EIA), water licences, and compliance with Annexure A – Technical Specifications on Private Party Requirements.
• Guides must be registered with DFFE through CATHSETA-accredited training (or previous THETA certification) with current DFFE registration; FGASA is not accepted.
• All developments require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); existing EIAs may be transferable from current concessionaires with a transfer period of 30-90 days.
• Comply with the National Minimum Standard for Responsible Tourism (SANS 1162).
• Follow environmental guidelines in Annexure B and responsible tourism requirements in Annexure C.

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

• The document is not intended as the basis for an investment decision; bidders must conduct independent due diligence.
• SANParks may change or replace any information without prior notice.
• SANParks will use reasonable endeavours to assist the concessionaire in obtaining environmental permits but bears no liability for failure to obtain them.

SANParks will evaluate bidders using a dedicated B-BBEE scorecard for the six KNP concessions. The scorecard includes:

• Ownership: Targets for ownership by Black People, Black Women, and Youth within a 100km radius of KNP in the private party SPV.
• Management Control: Targets for involvement in management of the SPV by Black People, Black Women, Youth, and people from local communities.
• Employment: Targets for employment of Black People, Black Women, Youth, and people from local communities at all levels.
• Skills Development: Targets for skills development expenditure on Black People, Black Women, and Youth from local communities, and for the number of Black People in learnerships, apprenticeships, and internships.
• Preferential Procurement: Targets for procuring goods and services from B-BBEE recognised, Black Women, and Youth from local community-owned companies and SMMEs.
• Enterprise and Supplier Development: Targets for contributing to enterprise and supplier development of local companies and socio-economic development of local communities and the tourism industry.
• Scores will be allocated according to the methodology and weightings in the B-BBEE scorecard provided in the Request for Proposals (RFP).

SANParks, a public entity under the PFMA and Protected Areas Act, seeks a private operator to finance, refurbish, operate, and maintain the Mutlumuvi Concession Area in the Kruger National Park for public benefit. The operator is appointed through a public tender process and does not acquire ownership of the Concession Area or SANParks Intellectual Property.

SANParks approvals are vested in the SANParks Managing Executive: Tourism Development and Marketing.

The Private Party must be a South African registered for-profit company with a Technical Partner holding at least 30% equity and proven hospitality operations experience. The bidder must not be a Restricted Enterprise (listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters, Disqualified Directors' Register, or similar). Conditions Precedent include payment of the Residual Value to the outgoing concessionaire within 3 business days before the Long Stop Date. The Shareholders Agreement and Constitutional Documents must be approved by SANParks. The project objectives include sustainable conservation, quality tourism, and socio-economic transformation.

The Private Party is appointed to finance, refurbish, operate, and maintain the Mutlumuvi Concession Area in the Kruger National Park for a 25-year term. Scope includes operating accommodation (lodge and tented camp), food and beverage, retail, and wildlife activities (drives and walks), plus managing roads and environmental infrastructure. The Private Party does not acquire ownership of the Concession Area or SANParks Intellectual Property. The Concession Area is described in Schedule 1; the Facility includes land, buildings, and supporting infrastructure. Operations must comply with the SANParks Operation Manual, Park Rules, and the Park Management Plan. Day and night drives are permitted using vehicles meeting SANParks standards. Refurbishment and infrastructural development must follow the Capital Investment plan in the Bid Submission (Schedule 12).

The Private Party must operate according to the SANParks Operation Manual, as updated from time to time.

The PPP Fee comprises a Minimum PPP Fee and a Variable PPP Fee (Clause 17.3). Capital Expenditure is defined under IFRS. The Residual Value of Immovable Concession Assets is calculated based on depreciation for income tax purposes. VAT applies as per the VAT Act.

The Private Party must pay a PPP Fee comprising a Minimum PPP Fee and a Variable PPP Fee (Clause 17.3), excluding the Conservation Levy. A Performance Bond is required in the format of Schedule 11. The Residual Value of Immovable Concession Assets is calculated based on depreciation for income tax purposes and must be paid within 3 business days before the Long Stop Date. Capital Expenditure is defined under IFRS. VAT applies as per the VAT Act. Utility charges for water, electricity, sewage, gas, and telecommunications are payable.

The Private Party must meet B-BBEE Obligations as set out in Schedule 5, in accordance with the B-BBEE Act. Must not be a Restricted Enterprise. Must provide Constitutional Documents (memorandum of incorporation, shareholders' agreement, etc.) as per Schedule 9. Must obtain all necessary Consents (permits, licenses, approvals) from Responsible Authorities. Must comply with all applicable Laws including the Companies Act, PFMA, POPIA, CPA, and Environmental Laws. Corrupt acts, bribery, fraud, and undisclosed commissions are prohibited. The local geographic area for B-BBEE is within a 100 km radius of the Concession Area.

The Private Party must meet B-BBEE Obligations as detailed in Schedule 5, in accordance with the B-BBEE Act. The local geographic area for B-BBEE is within a 100 km radius of the Concession Area.

The Private Party must comply with Environmental Laws (National Water Act, NEMA, Protected Areas Act, etc.) and Environmental Provisions, including Environmental Specifications in Schedule 7. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be required. The Private Party must adhere to Park Rules and the Park Management Plan.

The PPP 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 management, operation and maintenance, prohibition of employing SANParks employees, B-BBEE, financial provisions, performance bond, insurances, reinstatement, economic test, SANParks step-in rights, permits, reporting, audit access, force majeure, default and termination, dispute resolution, change in control and ownership, cession and transfer, intellectual property, amendments, confidentiality, consents, notices, and lender protections. Numerous schedules detail operational, financial, B-BBEE, environmental, and technical specifications.

The Private Party must not be a Restricted Enterprise. Must provide Constitutional Documents as per Schedule 9. Must obtain all necessary Consents from Responsible Authorities.

The project objectives include ensuring sustainable conservation, diverse, responsible and quality tourism, and socio-economic transformation.