Background

CapeNature has identified an experiential walking tour, commonly known as ‘slackpacking’, as a potential for income generation, at the popular World Heritage site, Cederberg Wilderness Reserve, near Clanwilliam. Guided walking tours allow nature lovers the opportunity to immerse themselves in both the beautiful surrounding area and leaving the tour feeling enriched with a better understanding of the environment.

CapeNature invites prospective parties, specialising in tour guiding activities, to submit detailed business proposals, to conceptualise and manage a two-to-three-day fully catered, portered & guided overnight experiential tour experience in its Wilderness area.

The CapeNature reserve can be viewed on www.capenature.co.za/reserves/cederberg-wilderness-area

Requirements

• Must have a minimum of five years tourism experience, preferably in the adventure, heritage, and nature-based tourist guiding, with a proven track record of success. Must be able to exhibit proven skills and experience in managing a similar business operation.

• Overview of tourism operator ownership, business registration, past education, past and current hospitality / tourism experience. Proof must be included.

• Staff employed as a tour guide, must be in possession of a valid tour guide registration for the location area (Preferably adventure guiding with nature complement).

• Ownership and interested parties in company portfolio clearly identified with roles and responsibilities reflected in an organogram. Must provide own skilled staff, preferably from within the local community closest to the selected reserve operation.

• Proof of ability to meet operational and financial requirements while operating in remote areas. Must provide a detailed operational model.

• Proof of ability to source funding, with record of available funds.

• Must have an environmentally conscious business model.

• Must have a mapped booking process in place with terms and conditions.

• Must have a safety guide and emergency incidents model.

• Must be able to market the proposed activity independently.

• Must provide an overview of the proposed marketing strategy and plan.

• Must have all relevant accreditation and insurances such as public liability, in place.

• Must provide a detailed itinerary with proposed activities and duration of activities.

• Clear mapping of hiking trails and tourism products that will be part of activity. Must align to CapeNature approved areas and routes.

• Must clearly indicate logistics including transport offered, parking, meeting points, to name a few.

• Must clearly describe visitor inclusions and exclusions, as part of one or more packages.

• Value for money objectives include revenue generation, BEE certification, job creation, tourism promotion, conservation management objectives and business model linking principles.

NB: Please note that site visits are highly recommended for interested parties to gain a better understanding of the respective nature reserve. All site visits must be pre-booked beforehand and accompanied by a CapeNature representative.

Proposals must include:

• Background of business (including any primary business).

• Background of business owner.

• BEE certification.

• Proof of Tourist Guiding registration (copy of front and back of guiding card).

• Comprehensive business plan.

• A detailed description of the proposed activity and benefits thereof to CapeNature and its customers. Includes service offering and standards.

• Operational model, including staff and infrastructure requirements. Staff compliment from the local community is recommended.

• Financial model exemplifying sound and sustainable financial planning. The financial model should include the return on investment and clearly show the benefits to CapeNature. A five-year financial model is recommended.

• A five-year marketing strategy, with a detailed one to two-year roll-out plan with key initiatives outlined.

• Job creation and local community benefit/s.

• Location of camping sites and activity/ies within the wilderness.

• Waste & fire management model.

• Include all necessary documents and certification in the appendix.

Proposed length of agreement:

• Two (2) year probationary period with an opportunity to extend based on performance.

Key Contacts

For all enquiries or a site visit to the reserve, arranged by contacting:

Beulah Douse

Telephone: 087 087 3017

E-mail: bdouse@capenature.co.za

Proposal Delivery and Closing Date

Closing date for proposals is 07 June 2024 @12 noon.

Proposals must be submitted:

Via WeTransfer to the email address bdouse@capenature.co.za

All proposals submitted must be confirmed separately on email.

Physical & Postal Address:

CapeNature West Coast Regional Office, 72 Voortrekker Street, Porterville, 6810.