The tragedy of Mkhambathi (Wild Coast).
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:22 pm
This is a sad tale of incompetence and maladministration.
The Main Lodge (S31.312793, E29.966112).
According to ‘The East Cape Parks’ web page
http://www.ecparks.co.za/parks-reserves ... index.html
An upmarket, stone building with 5 double en-suite bedrooms, accommodating 10 persons. Guests can relax around their own pool and braai area, whilst enjoying the stunning views of the beach.
They advertise the Main Lodge, but do not take bookings for it, they will only accept bookings for the Riverside Lodge and the Rondavels at GweGwe.
The Main lodge is no longer used as there is no water or electric power. The swimming bath is half empty and awash with leaves and dead frogs. We were amazed to find the lodge unlocked and entered to find that it was being maintained. All the furnishing was still there, the beds were made and from our cursory inspection all seemed OK, except no power, no water . There was a major leak in the passage and a 25 litre drum placed there to catch the drips was almost full.
There was a visitors book on a coffee table and the last entry made was on 6/12/2010.
An entry made on 1/12/2010 had a list of faults: no water, kettle did not work, poor maintenance, staff did not care about visitors. State of the roads within the nature reserve very poor.
Prior to this the Lodge was well frequented and judging by the comments made it was exceptional.
To get to the main Lodge we had to drive past the old reception building, (still shown on their web page), which is now derelict with most of the surrounding buildings having no roof, windows or doors, looking like the aftermath of a furious battle. Some of the buildings in the vicinity don’t look as bad but urgently need attention.
There is a cottage close to the beach, previously known as the ‘Point Beach Cottage’, (S31.31528, E29.96563) – this must have been a wonderful place, but now but now derelict. The building appears sound – the question to be asked is “Why did it get this way.”
When I asked the question at reception as to why the Lodge and other are in such poor condition I got a vague answer that there was a developer who was going to get it all done, but he pulled out. Makes me wonder what the true story is. There is a board erected that gives the details. Is there anyone who could enlighten us?
The only two places for accommodation are ‘Riverside Lodge’ and at ‘GweGwe Rondavels’, both of which are reasonably close to each other but out of sight from each other.
The ’Riverside Lodge’, they say, can accommodate up to 20 people. We took a stroll to the lodge and were not impressed it was nothing to look at and closed in by the coastal bush.
There was no view. It is on the river (small stream), but you can’t even see the stream properly.
‘GweGwe Rondavels’ (S31.28877, E30.01226) are the best. There are 6 rondavels, the 7th is a communal room with a table and chairs. The rondavels (for two) provide bedding, towels and pillows. Each has a two plate gas stove and a deep freeze. There is no crockery, cutlery, pots or pans. Also suggest you take your own drinking water.
Hot water by means of a gas geyser. But beware; I know that rondavel 3 & 4 had no cold water tap in the shower. So to prevent third degree burns you need to take a bucket with you to wash out of.
Wonder who the expert was that designed the plumbing with only hot water – only the Eastern Cape Parks Department could do something like that! I could not find out if the remaining rondavels had the same one tap system as they were locked.
In the time we were there we saw no service staff or anybody else and the rondavel was not swept clean which they are supposed to do. Nearby are staff quarters and there must have been someone there as each day there was different washing on the line.
Management definitely lacking. Empty gas bottles were scattered around and not neatly packed.
The towel rail in our rondavel was coming loose; bet you it will not be fixed!
THE ROADS. As I mentioned earlier that there was a comment in the Lodge visitors book about the poor road conditions. Well I reckon between 2010 and Sept 2012 little was done.
Then a month ago they got hit with mega rain - now the conditions are frightful and we are only at start of the rainy season. They say, “You need a vehicle with a good clearance.” Must be the same guy that organised the plumbing. What they mean is you need a good 4x4 with good clearance. The distance from the reception to the GweGwe rondavels is about 9,5km it took me 30 minutes, but then I’m a cautious kind of guy that feels for my old Hilux; I guess a Range Rover, or similar, could probably have done it in less time. The road is so bad that most of the time it is better to drive off-road in the veld.
They are busy ‘fixing’ the roads. Whether with own resources or outside contractors I do not know. Suffice is to say that, in my limited knowledge of road construction, they are making a huge mistake. Instead of moving the roads to the higher ridges that have better drainage, they are grading out the washed roads thereby creating a channel some 300mm deep down the slope. Where they are going to get material for the fill is questionable. Besides, being the start of the rainy season these man made channels will soon be dongas.
In conclusion:
I would like to know the reasons for the degradation of Mkhambathi’s infrastructure. The East Cape Parks should be made to account for what has happened, or will this just be another example of wasted resources of what should be a prime South African Heritage site.
Mkhambathi is a beautiful park no cell communication and no people. Other than another couple who left the next day we saw no one, local or otherwise. The fishing should be excellent as most of the area is a marine reserve and fishing is only permitted in a few designated areas. I did not fish as we had gale force winds for the three days we were there. We did a few long walks and saw a herd of about 25 eland, a lone hartebees far away and one jackal.
Would I go again? Maybe!!
The Main Lodge (S31.312793, E29.966112).
According to ‘The East Cape Parks’ web page
http://www.ecparks.co.za/parks-reserves ... index.html
An upmarket, stone building with 5 double en-suite bedrooms, accommodating 10 persons. Guests can relax around their own pool and braai area, whilst enjoying the stunning views of the beach.
They advertise the Main Lodge, but do not take bookings for it, they will only accept bookings for the Riverside Lodge and the Rondavels at GweGwe.
The Main lodge is no longer used as there is no water or electric power. The swimming bath is half empty and awash with leaves and dead frogs. We were amazed to find the lodge unlocked and entered to find that it was being maintained. All the furnishing was still there, the beds were made and from our cursory inspection all seemed OK, except no power, no water . There was a major leak in the passage and a 25 litre drum placed there to catch the drips was almost full.
There was a visitors book on a coffee table and the last entry made was on 6/12/2010.
An entry made on 1/12/2010 had a list of faults: no water, kettle did not work, poor maintenance, staff did not care about visitors. State of the roads within the nature reserve very poor.
Prior to this the Lodge was well frequented and judging by the comments made it was exceptional.
To get to the main Lodge we had to drive past the old reception building, (still shown on their web page), which is now derelict with most of the surrounding buildings having no roof, windows or doors, looking like the aftermath of a furious battle. Some of the buildings in the vicinity don’t look as bad but urgently need attention.
There is a cottage close to the beach, previously known as the ‘Point Beach Cottage’, (S31.31528, E29.96563) – this must have been a wonderful place, but now but now derelict. The building appears sound – the question to be asked is “Why did it get this way.”
When I asked the question at reception as to why the Lodge and other are in such poor condition I got a vague answer that there was a developer who was going to get it all done, but he pulled out. Makes me wonder what the true story is. There is a board erected that gives the details. Is there anyone who could enlighten us?
The only two places for accommodation are ‘Riverside Lodge’ and at ‘GweGwe Rondavels’, both of which are reasonably close to each other but out of sight from each other.
The ’Riverside Lodge’, they say, can accommodate up to 20 people. We took a stroll to the lodge and were not impressed it was nothing to look at and closed in by the coastal bush.
There was no view. It is on the river (small stream), but you can’t even see the stream properly.
‘GweGwe Rondavels’ (S31.28877, E30.01226) are the best. There are 6 rondavels, the 7th is a communal room with a table and chairs. The rondavels (for two) provide bedding, towels and pillows. Each has a two plate gas stove and a deep freeze. There is no crockery, cutlery, pots or pans. Also suggest you take your own drinking water.
Hot water by means of a gas geyser. But beware; I know that rondavel 3 & 4 had no cold water tap in the shower. So to prevent third degree burns you need to take a bucket with you to wash out of.
Wonder who the expert was that designed the plumbing with only hot water – only the Eastern Cape Parks Department could do something like that! I could not find out if the remaining rondavels had the same one tap system as they were locked.
In the time we were there we saw no service staff or anybody else and the rondavel was not swept clean which they are supposed to do. Nearby are staff quarters and there must have been someone there as each day there was different washing on the line.
Management definitely lacking. Empty gas bottles were scattered around and not neatly packed.
The towel rail in our rondavel was coming loose; bet you it will not be fixed!
THE ROADS. As I mentioned earlier that there was a comment in the Lodge visitors book about the poor road conditions. Well I reckon between 2010 and Sept 2012 little was done.
Then a month ago they got hit with mega rain - now the conditions are frightful and we are only at start of the rainy season. They say, “You need a vehicle with a good clearance.” Must be the same guy that organised the plumbing. What they mean is you need a good 4x4 with good clearance. The distance from the reception to the GweGwe rondavels is about 9,5km it took me 30 minutes, but then I’m a cautious kind of guy that feels for my old Hilux; I guess a Range Rover, or similar, could probably have done it in less time. The road is so bad that most of the time it is better to drive off-road in the veld.
They are busy ‘fixing’ the roads. Whether with own resources or outside contractors I do not know. Suffice is to say that, in my limited knowledge of road construction, they are making a huge mistake. Instead of moving the roads to the higher ridges that have better drainage, they are grading out the washed roads thereby creating a channel some 300mm deep down the slope. Where they are going to get material for the fill is questionable. Besides, being the start of the rainy season these man made channels will soon be dongas.
In conclusion:
I would like to know the reasons for the degradation of Mkhambathi’s infrastructure. The East Cape Parks should be made to account for what has happened, or will this just be another example of wasted resources of what should be a prime South African Heritage site.
Mkhambathi is a beautiful park no cell communication and no people. Other than another couple who left the next day we saw no one, local or otherwise. The fishing should be excellent as most of the area is a marine reserve and fishing is only permitted in a few designated areas. I did not fish as we had gale force winds for the three days we were there. We did a few long walks and saw a herd of about 25 eland, a lone hartebees far away and one jackal.
Would I go again? Maybe!!