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THE entrance gate to the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is expected to be completed next month.
This after hiccups in the project after the hired company for the gate could not complete it due to unforeseen circumstances.
The main aim of the new gate is to introduce a streamlined structure and system for visitors entering the main gate. Once completed, visitors will enter and exit the park more efficiently. There will be four lanes to enter the park and two to exit.
Roofing and paving are currently underway. Glass doors and windows were also added last month.
Speaking confidently about the progress of the project, Bulelwa Msengi, Area Manager for the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) says, “We can certainly see the light now at the end of the tunnel. Construction is progressing well and not affecting visitors entering or exiting the park.
“We are confident the project will be completed by Spring.”
Measures in place to ensure easy access during peak season in December include temporary entrance lanes as well as two to three roving SANParks officials to assist with paperwork from the entrance gate.
The Tsitsikamma section of the Park remains the most popular coastal National Park in South Africa and reported an increase of 12% in the number of visitors to the Park for the Financial Year 2017/2018.
“Visitors are drawn to the park’s many activities,” says Msengi.
“For starters the park has 12 Green Flag status trails in close proximity making it the only park to have these in South Africa. The suspension bridge, water activities and the beauty of the National Park are some of the reasons for the yearly increase.”
- The Tsitsikamma Section’s project began in 2016 as part of a R19 million project to upgrade to infrastructure in the Storms River Rest Camp and includes the development around the Big Tree. Some R19 million was granted by the Expanded Public Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) and National Department of Tourism.
