The South African Department of Tourism is seeking investment partners in a number of exciting projects in KwaZulu-Natal. These are located around the province and include
• Giant's Castle Interpretive Facility
• iSimangaliso Wetland Park - (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Kosi Bay
• St Lucia
• Lake Sibaya
• Tembe & Surrounds
• Jozini Cultural Resort Hub
• Ulundi Tourism Hub
• Siyaya Coastal Tourism Resort/Park

More details are below and for further information contact
Motlatsi Maleka
Tel: +27 12 310 3893
Email: mmaleka@tourism.gov.za

Giant's Castle Interpretive Facility
The Giant's Castle area abounds in natural attractions, not least of which is the mysterious and ancient rock art of the San people. Bird watching offers over 170 species to see, and walking, hiking, mountain and ice climbing routes take in spectacular views.

San rock art can be viewed, with knowledgeable guides available to take visitors to sites such as the Kamberg 'Pass Shelter'. Local culture is well represented with guided tours, while the culinary delights of the area can be sampled at the Izimbali restaurant and bar.
Champagne breakfasts, barbeques and sundowners can be taken at the Lammergeyer (Bearded Vulture) hide, whilst the 15kms of winding river is ideal for fly-fishing.

Location:
Giant's Castle, main caves, situated within the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park.

Project description:
The KZN Cultural Heritage Committee has identified the need to upgrade the current interpretive facility, in order to give a contemporary perspective to San peoples, their culture and traditions, and the rock art symbols found at these crucial archaeological sites. Retail opportunities are on offer.

Value: Still to be determined.

Feasability projections:

A feasibility study, business plan & financial projections are still to be undertaken.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park - (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, formerly the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, contains four wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, and is notable for its exceptional biodiversity and scenic beauty. Spreading over approximately 332 000 hectares, the park contains eight interlinking ecosystems, most of South Africa's remaining swamp forests, Africa's largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and ancient coastal dunes and fishing traditions.

Investment in the three nodes of the park will allow for tourism in the area which is responsible and eco-minded, therefore preserving this natural wonder, and showcasing its beauty.
Each investment site profiled requires equity participation for local community partners. These are identified by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, as part of its co-management programme with claimant communities.

Preferential employment targets for local communities, skills transfer programmes and the support of SMME development have to be demonstrated.

Kosi Bay
One of Africa's most spectacular estuarine systems, where four interconnected lakes spill into the Indian Ocean. Between the lakes and the sea is a narrow spit of land, fringed in the west by lakes and waterways, forested dunes, pristine beaches and dramatic coral reefs.

Project description
• KwaDapha Camp - Excellent site on a narrow spit between the Kosi Lake system and the coast
• Bhanga Nek Camp - Small exclusive site in coastal forest
• Amanzimnyama Camp - Unique situation with pristine forest
• Makawulani Lake Camp - Exceptional site overlooking traditional fishtrapping pools

St Lucia

Just two hours by road north of Durban, this area offers exceptional diversity, remarkable scenery, the largest estuarine system on the African continent and superb game viewing - all in close proximity to world-class infrastructure and services.

Project description:
• Cape Vidal (Beach, Bhangazi Lake and Heritage) Resort - One coastal site on the eastern shores (for large, resort style development) and two sites on Bhangazi Lake (one suitable for boutique hotel style development, one with strong cultural significance)
• Perrier's Rock Site - Exclusive coastal site overlooking three secluded sandy bays
• Mphathe River Site - A site on the confluence of the Mphathe River and St Lucia Estuary
• Ndlozi Peninsula Site - Exclusive and spectacular peninsula jutting into Lake St Lucia
• Estuary View Site - A prime site adjacent to the tourist hub of St Lucia Village

Lake Sibaya
Lake Sibaya has shores fringed by thick coastal dune forest, grassy palm-studded plains, and a thin strip of forested land that separates its fresh waters from beautiful and deserted beaches, here it is possible to swim, snorkel, scuba dive or sunbathe in isolated splendour.

Project description:

Nine Mile Camp - Coastal site north of Sodwana Bay and just south of Lake Sibaya
Baya Camp - Spectacular site on a headland jutting into the southern part of Lake Sibaya

Feasibility:
Feasibility studies, business plans and business projections for these areas have still to be undertaken.

Approximate value:
The value of investments for the projects detailed will be dependent on the investors' concept.

Tembe & Surrounds
Once known as 'The Ivory Route', this is an area that linked the ivory traders of Mozambique and Zululand in years gone by. Thankfully that trade is now almost eradicated, and visitors can appreciate the stature of these magnificent creatures for themselves. The Tembe Elephant Park is situated in an area of sand forests, pans and wetlands in northern Tongaland on the border between Mozambique and KwaZulu-Natal, where a diverse range of birdlife is also to be found.

The zone falls within a transition area between tropical and sub-tropical regions and is thus home to a great diversity of vegetation. With its proximity to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Tembe offers a convenient base from which to explore the differences between the dry sand forest environment of the northernmost parks in KwaZulu-Natal and that of the lake and estuarine forests of the wetlands. It is also near to the Jozini (or Pongolapoort) Dam, which lies on the Pongola river, and the site of the proposed Jozini Eco-Cultural Destination.

Tembe Elephant Park Lodge

Located in the north of the Elephant Coast, Tembe Elephant Park is home to some of the largest African elephants. It forms a part of the Tembe-Futi Transfrontier Conservation Area.
The proposed establishment is a 5 star lodge within the Park which will provide a base for tourists visiting the area.

Approximate value: R15-million

Feasibility and financial projections:
A feasibility study, business plan & financial projections are currently being done.

Jozini Cultural Resort Hub
The project is at the Jozini Dam, within the Elephant Coast.
The development of an eco-cultural destination has been proposed, which will include resorts and floating hospitality enterprises.

The project will boost tourism in the area, as well as preserving the natural beauty.

Approximate value: R300-million

Feasibility/Financial projections:
Feasibility & business plans are currently in the process of being developed.

Siyaya Coastal Tourism Resort/Park

With pristine coastal dune, mangrove and swamp forests, grassland and Lala palm bushveld, the Siyaya Coastal Park offers many outdoor activities, such as a network of trails where visitors can view an abundance of wildlife.

Adjoining Amatikulu Park is the excellent Twinstreams Environmental Education Centre and The Prawn Shack, one of the more unusual restaurants in the area, where visitors can spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying a variety of seafood dishes.

Location:
The Siyaya Coastal Park incorporates the Umlalazi and Amatikulu Nature Reserves, and includes 42kms of unspoilt coastline.

Project description:
Funding is required for the development of a coastal tourism resort and the establishment of hiking trails & huts. The development will allow tourists to better enjoy this breathtaking stretch of coastline.

Approximate value: R300-million

Feasibility projection:
An integrated development plan for Umlalazi Nature Reserve has been developed.

Ulundi Tourism Hub
Located in the heartland of the Zulu Kingdom, the area is steeped in the history of the Zulu nation.
From the sacred burial grounds of the Zulu kings to guided tours led by Royal descendants, the area presents the visitor with both contemporary and historical experiences.

Location:
The Ulundi Tourism Hub is located at the Ulundi Airport.

Project description:
The proposed development is for a conference facility, hotel, restaurants, tourism information office, arts and crafts centre, booking agency and parking facilities.
The need for the development of tourism has been identified as one of the major initiatives for economic growth and development in the Zululand area.

The Ulundi Tourism Hub is regarded as a key driver in the initiative to increase visitor numbers, and therefore tourism revenue, with the associated benefits such as community upliftment within the district.

Approximate value: R60-million

Feasibility:
A business plan for the Tourism Hub is currently underway.