11 November 2020

The Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Ms Makhotso Sotyu and the Deputy Minister of Tourism Mr Fish Mahlalela will official open the three star rated Awelani Eco Lodge in Masisi, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, on Friday 13 November 2020.

Government, through the national and provincial departments in collaboration with the local government, has invested more than R50 million for the development and upkeep of the lodge.

Situated approximately 11 kilometres west of the Pafuri Gate of the Kruger National Park, the lodge has the capacity to accommodate 54 overnight guests in a “game reserve style” accommodation facility and a 150-seater conference centre.

Awelani Eco Lodge is owned by the Mutele Community, which made approximately 1 800 ha of its land available for conservation and tourism associated projects in order to address high unemployment rate among the community members. The area has a high tourism potential taking into consideration its close proximity to the Kruger National Park.

Over the past few years, the DEFF has been actively involved in the establishment and development of community conservation and eco-tourism related projects for communities living adjacent to Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs). This is in line with one of the TFCAs’ main objectives which seeks to improve the livelihoods of communities living in or adjacent to TFCAs.

Awelani Eco Lodge project was triggered by the establishment of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area and the plans to physically link the Kruger National Park with Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe through the development of a bridge not far from the lodge.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the official opening of the lodge as per the details below:

Date:               Friday 13 November 2020
Time:              09:00
Venue:            Awelani Eco Lodge, R525 Road, Masisi

To RSVP contact:
Ernest Mulibana
Cell: 082 263 7372
E-mail:  EMulibana@environment.gov.za

For media queries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871

Or

Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197