ONGOING unrest close to the Didima camp in the Cathedral Peak area of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site has caused Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) to close the camp until March 26.
"Although these communities have indicated that they have no interest in the tourists who use the route, we are nevertheless concerned that the ongoing tension might involve tourists moving along the road through the community area," said Khulani Mkhize, EKZNW ceo.
"The safety of our visitors is not negotiable and closing Didima at this time is purely a precautionary measure in case there is an escalation of violence that could spill over into the park."
The camp’s reservations staff are trying to relocate all guests with confirmed bookings for the period to alternative accommodation. Didima is scheduled to reopen on March 26 unless the situation is still considered too volatile.
Mkhize added: “This conflict comes at one of our busiest times when most of our accommodation facilities are fully booked, so closing the Didima Camp is not going to be a popular decision."
Visitors who have not been contacted by EKZNW reservations staff should contact the hospitality manager of Didima.
EKZNW, along with iSimangaliso Authority, has also prohibited the consumption of alchohol on the Sodwana Bay beach. The authority says: “This prohibition is in line with current national legislation relating to the consumption of alcohol in public and is a part of the park's visitor safety programme.”
The South African Police Services will be conducting routine vehicle searches entering the beach area from outside the park and the camp site.
