Update Video
KNYSNA NEWS AND VIDEO - Garden Route National Park general manager Paddy Gordon accompanied the head of SANParks' special projects, safety and security Johan Jooste to the Brown-hooded Kingfisher Trail near Wilderness, on a site visit after reassessing overall safety and security for tourists and visitors ahead of the much anticipated Garden Route Walking Festival.
Just last month two Dutch tourists were mugged along the trail, and moments later the suspects were apprehended. But SANParks says the incident has nevertheless prompted them to reassure visitors that they are safe and will be looked after.
Jooste, a retired army major general, and Gordon were also accompanied by SANParks teams from throughout the Garden Route region. They met with media shortly after a security meeting.
'Peace of mind for visitors'
“The message is clear – we are committed to the wellbeing and peace of mind for all tourists and have already implemented several measures to ensure this,” Jooste said.
“SANParks' assets are fauna and flora, and we want to share this really beautiful and memorable experience with tourists and visitors. We have already created this environment where people can really relax and enjoy nature at its very best. And to conserve this atmosphere, we have had to reevaluate our strategy and implement further security plans.”
Gordon and Jooste said they were shocked at the recent mugging incident, but officers responded to the area immediately and there was a successful arrest.
'Boosting law enforcement'
"It was decided to review and boost our partnerships with law enforcement, particularly during off season,” Gordon said.
He added that they will realign resources, continue with vigorous training programmes and accelerate the build-up of their capabilities.
“All 22 parks operate differently so we have had a look at not just the walking trails but each park individually. We are activity focused and people focused.”
Gordon also reiterated that SANParks is committed to ensuring that all visitors can enjoy an outing to any of the parks, the freedom of peace of mind, and that they can experience the full pleasure of nature.
Watch a video below:
Safety during Walking Fest
He said that with the Easter weekend approaching, teams are preparing to cohost the third Garden Route Walking Festival expected to kick off on Easter Friday – in which South Africans are encouraged to take up the offer to explore the Garden Route National Park on foot.
The park has 14 Green Flag-status hiking trails – 12 in Tsitsikamma and two in Knysna.
It continues to implement the certification programme for the rest of its trails. There are at least four multiple-day hiking trails (not part of the Garden Route Walking Festival) – the Harkerville Coastal Trail rerouted after the Knysna fires, the Outeniqua Hiking Trail, the Otter Trail and the Dolphin Trail in Tsitsikamma.
Plenty day-routes
There are 10 day-routes in Wilderness, eight in Knysna and 12 in Tsitsikamma open for the upcoming Garden Route walking festival. (visit walkingfestival.co.za).
A conservation fee is payable at reception areas prior to walking on trails (Wilderness, Ebb & Flow, Knysna and Tsitsikamma).
For more information on trails, please see descriptions for each trail at www.sanparks.org.
Reception areas: 044 8771196 (Wilderness), 044 302 5600 (Knysna) and 042 281 1607 (Tsitsikamma).
Read a previous article: SANparks tightens security
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