Mutlumuvi concession PPP: lodge, camp & wildlife operations in kruger national park

Closing date: 3 July 2026.

Open to bidders meeting SANParks' B-BBEE scorecard requirements including ownership by Black People/Black Women/Youth within 100km of KNP, management control participation, local employment targets, skills development expenditure, preferential procurement from B-BBEE recognized and local SMMEs, and enterprise/supplier development contributions. Must have financial capacity for CAPEX/OPEX, tourism operations experience, and ability to comply with all environmental, legal, and regulatory requirements including PFMA, NEMPAA, and Treasury Regulation 16. Incumbent concessionaires may bid but have no renewal rights.

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 (downloadable from 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 this Information Memorandum.

• This 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).

Bid Submission Closing Date: 5 October 2026 at 12h00.

Site Visit: 12 August 2026 from 09h00 to 13h00. Not compulsory but encouraged. Registration required with Jabulile Galane (details in contact section).

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

PPP Agreement Signature Timeline: Preferred Bidder has 2 weeks to clarify issues after award letter, then 3 weeks to sign final agreement after receipt.

For Site Visit, Bidder's Conference, and Due Diligence matters:

Contact: 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.

Submission must be made to: Jabulile Galane, Project Administrator: SANParks Six KNP Concessions Tender, South African National Parks, 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria.

Deadline: 5 October 2026 at 12h00. Late submissions will be invalid and returned unopened.

Mandatory two-envelope system:

• Envelope 1 (Technical Proposal): Must contain original and electronic copy. Clearly mark "Technical Proposal - Original".
• Envelope 2 (Financial & B-BBEE Proposal): Must contain original and physical copy. Clearly mark "Financial Proposal and B-BBEE Proposal".

Including Pricing or B-BBEE Proposal in Envelope 1 will lead to disqualification.

Mandatory Returnable Documents (Checklist):

1. Original Bid Bond from a reputable bank (format in Annexure 7).
2. Original Residual Value payment undertaking (format in Annexure 8).
3. Resolution of the Project Company or Lead Member.
4. Resolution of Each Member (Other than Lead Member).
5. Original Tax Clearance Certificate from SARS (within six months of bid date) for each South African member.
6. Audited Annual Financial Statements for past 3 years.
7. Written statement confirming Net Asset Value of at least R10 million for shareholders.
8. Written confirmation of sufficient cashflow funding for at least three months operational expenditure.
9. Proof of registration on Central Supplier Database.

Failure to include all mandatory documents may lead to disqualification.

All bids and correspondence must be in English.

All information in the bid must remain valid for 180 business days from the Bid Date.

1. Minimum 30% equity held by technical/operational partner with hospitality experience. 2) Asset value ≥ R10 million (proportionate for consortia/JVs). 3) Solvent shareholders with audited financials (3 years). 4) Minimum 5 years upmarket/luxury lodge operation experience. 5) Experience in protected area lodge operations. 6) Experience with game drives/walks. 7) Strong international marketing/branding and channel relationships. 8) Acceptable hospitality operating and booking systems. 9) Commitment to environmental regulations and detailed environmental plan. 10) No blacklisted persons, disqualified directors, litigation on concessions, or fraud/corruption convictions. 11) No organs of state as bidders (except as funders). 12) Maximum 5 representatives for site visit.

Project Scope: 25-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the Mutlumuvi Concession in Kruger National Park.

The Private Party obtains rights to operate accommodation (lodge & tented camp), food & beverage, retail, wildlife activities (drives & walks), and responsibility for managing roads and environmental infrastructure.

Location & Size: Concession is approx. 12,000 ha, located off H1-2, ±18 km from Skukuza.

Existing Facilities:

• Main Camp (Rhino Post Safari Lodge): Thatched facility with 8 rooms (16 guest capacity), lounge, dining, bar, pool, wooden walkways.
• Rhino Walking Safaris Tented Camp: 4 explorer tents (8 guest capacity), lounge, dining, bar, plunge pool.
• Sleep-out Platforms: 4 platforms (max 8 guests), ablutions, communal dining.

Staff Housing: 13 beds on site. Must comply with national building regulations; only single/couple units allowed.

Infrastructure Responsibility: Private Party bears all costs for upgrading and maintaining existing facilities, roads, buildings, and infrastructure (water, waste, electricity, communications). Upgrades must comply with SANParks Roads Manual, National Building Code, and findings of an EIA.

Environmental Compliance: Must adhere to SANParks environmental standards, Protected Areas conservation guidelines, and obtain all necessary environmental approvals (Basic Assessment or EIA may be required).

Bidder must demonstrate substantial tourism and hospitality experience:

• Lodge operation experience of an upmarket/luxury nature, minimum 5 years.
• Previous experience operating lodges in protected areas.
• Experience in operating tourism activities like game drives and walks.
• Strong marketing/branding experience and existing relationships with international tourism markets to South Africa.
• Acceptable hospitality operating and booking/marketing systems.

Financial Capacity: Net asset value of at least R10 million; audited statements for 3 years; proof of solvency; ability to raise debt/equity.

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 only.

Including the Pricing Proposal in Envelope 1 (Technical Proposal) will lead to disqualification.

The PPP Fee Offer must be completed using the format provided in Annexure 4.

Financial Capacity Requirements:

• Minimum Net Asset Value: R10 million. For consortia/JVs, demonstrate proportional strength of shareholders.
• Provide audited financial statements for past 3 years and letter confirming solvency.
• Demonstrate ability to raise debt and equity and provide security to SANParks' satisfaction.
• Demonstrate sufficient cashflow funding for at least first three months of operations.

Bid Securities:

• Bid Bond: Original from a reputable bank, in form substantially similar to Annexure 7.
• Residual Value Undertaking: Original payment undertaking, in form substantially similar to Annexure 8.

PPP Fee Offer:

• Fee is the higher of: a) Minimum PPP Fee (specified in Annexure 4, increased annually by CPIX from year 3), or b) Variable PPP Fee (percentage of gross revenue).
• Minimum fees SANParks will consider: Not less than R270,000 per month in first full year of operations; not less than R310,000 per month in second full year.
• Fee offer must be submitted in Envelope 2 only, using format in Annexure 4. Non-conforming offers may lead to disqualification.

Mandatory Administrative Compliance:

• Submit all mandatory returnable documents by the deadline.
• Bids must be in English.

Entity Requirements:

• Bidder can be a single company, unincorporated joint venture, consortium, or trust.
• Minimum 30% equity must be held by a technical/operational partner with hospitality operations experience.
• Organs of state (public entities) are excluded from submitting as bidders, unless participating only as a funder or under strict conditions (prior ministry approval, services available to all bidders).
• Preferred Bidder must incorporate a new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) prior to signing the PPP Agreement.

B-BBEE Requirements:

• Minimum B-BBEE Contributor Status: Level 4 for shareholders on a consolidated scorecard.
• Must submit a B-BBEE Proposal committing to meet/exceed all 8 Compliance Targets as per Annexure 3.
• Specific Beneficiation Scheme requirements apply: Private Party must set aside a 10% equity interest for Dispossessed Land Owner Communities on a 'free carry' basis and appoint one director.

Other Registrations & Certificates:

• Valid Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration.
• Original Tax Clearance Certificate from SARS (within six months of bid date) for each South African member.

Disqualification Risks:

• Involvement of persons blacklisted by National Treasury, listed on CIPC Disqualified Directors Register, involved in litigation over the concessions, or convicted of fraud/corruption.
• Non-compliance with mandatory requirements or failure to meet functionality thresholds.

The Private Party must develop and 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 certain activities; this will be undertaken by the successful bidder.

The concession is located within the Kruger National Park; all activities must respect park regulations for environmental protection.

Upgrades and maintenance of infrastructure (roads, buildings) must adhere to SANParks Roads Manual and National Building Code.

The tender and PPP Agreement are governed by South African law.

SANParks reserves the right to amend the RFP, PPP Agreements, or cancel the bid at any time without liability.

Bidders bear all costs of bid preparation.

PPP Fee Structure: The fee payable to SANParks is the higher of a Minimum PPP Fee (in Annexure 4, increased annually by CPIX from year 3) or a Variable PPP Fee (percentage of gross revenue).

Minimum fees SANParks will consider: Not less than R270,000 per month in Year 1 and R310,000 per month in Year 2.

Handover Principles: On appointment, Preferred Bidder has 5 months from PPP signature to complete handover with existing concessionaire (3 months negotiation, 2 months vacate).

Evaluation is a three-stage process:

1. Compliance Check: Verification of mandatory document submission. Failure leads to disqualification.
2. Functionality Evaluation: Minimum 80% overall score required. Minimum 50% score required for each sub-category (Financial & Capital Plan, Business & Operational Plan, Environmental Plan, Risk Matrix).
3. Price and B-BBEE: 90/10 preference point system. 90 points for PPP Fee Offer (highest offer gets max points). 10 points for B-BBEE Specific Goals (2 points for Level 4 status, 8 points for commitment to Annexure 3 targets).