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There is a lot to do in the Garden Route National Park this summer! New activities are proving to be quiet popular such as Stand -Up Paddling (SUP) which was initiated a few weeks ago.
In addition to the new SUP, the Park's Business Development Manager, Andile Namntu says SANParks has granted the Tsitsikamma Segway Tours an operating permit to traverse the Tsitsikamma forest. 'The company is operating for commercial reasons and will in return pay a concession fee to SANParks.' A Segway Personal Transporter is exceptionally easy and safe to use considering that it is a self-balancing two wheeled electric vehicle. It combines body movement to either move forward, backwards or to stop.
Visitors to the Wilderness section of the Park will be delighted to notice that the Goudveld tea room, also affectionately known as the Materroli or Mother Holly' is officially open.
SANParks awarded the Goudveld/ Rheenendal project to Mr Garth Van Rheenen. He will operate the tearoom and also be in charge of the Pitt Street House as well as conducting the Bendigo Gold Mine Tours. Visitors to this area will soon be provided with a taste of history as experienced by woodcutters and miners back in 1830s and 1870s.
Popular attractions include boat rides in the lagoon areas, visiting beach areas in the Park, snorkelling, scuba diving, lilo and kayaking, picnics, nature walks, hikes and biking in the forests.
Water tubing also synonymous with the name 'Tsitsikamma', the place of many waters, was also awarded to the successful bidder, Tube and Axe Black Water Tubing or Adventures Out There.
'As a state entity SANParks is bound by legislation like the PFMA (Public Finance Management Act) to follow due processes. Schedule 16 of the PFMA of 1999, instructs all commercial opportunities on state land be implemented as guided by the PPP (Public Private Partnership) process' says Namntu.
