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Conservation Services

Researcher's Logistical Support

Important Protocols for Researchers Working in SANParks

Please see the details below of who you should contact to make arrangements You may also click on the links provided below to download the SANParks proposal procedure and format and past projects reports, the final report format and the Data and Metadata requirements.

Park Entry

1. Kruger National Park

Please send the following information to Patricia Khoza at patricia.khoza@sanparks.org a few days before arrival to enable arrangement of a gate permit:

  • Date of entry
  • Gate of entry
  • Car registration number
  • Number of people

2. Other National Parks:

  • An approval letter received after the agreement has been signed by both parties will serve as an entry permit in the park.

Accommodation

1. Kruger National Park

2. Kgalagadi - Twee Rivieren

  • There is limited research accommodation available, bookings should be made timeously.
  • Maximum of 4 people – book through Patricia Khoza. Click here for details of facilities at Twee Rivieren Research Camp .

3. Other Parks

  • An approval letter received after the agreement has been signed by both parties will serve as an entry permit into the park.
  • Tourist accommodation must be booked via central Reservations for all other parks.

Game Guard use in the Kruger National Park

All researchers who are working outside their vehicles and outside of the tourist camp area must be accompanied by a trained, armed Game Guard. Game Guards should not be used as field assistants, as this will jeopardize their function to guard you. If you intend using a Game Guard, please arrange well in advance (at least 2 weeks).

  • Costs: R150 – daily fee
    An additional overtime/weekend hourly fee is also applicable should the guard work overtime or on weekends:
    R40 – per hour overtime from Monday to Saturday
    R55 – per hour overtime on Sundays and Public holidays
    If the Game Guard accompanying you needs to spend a night outside Skukuza, Phalaborwa or Shingwedzi, please ask Sharon or Rheinhardt for the costs involved.
  • Payment
    Please ask Rheinhardt Scholtz or Sharon Thompson to assist with invoices and account details for EFT payments.  

Section rangers in the Kruger National Park

  • Each part of KNP has a section ranger.
  • List of KNP section rangers
  • The local section ranger has to be informed of your research in his area, i.e. what you will be doing, when and where you will be in the area. Your KNP liaison will inform the section ranger, however, each researcher must phone (preferably on theri cell phone after 19:00 p.m.) the specific section ranger at least a day before they do fieldwork in that area.
  • Park Managers: Researchers working outside KNP need to contact park managers (see below) at least two weeks in advance to notify them of their intention to do fieldwork in their park.
  • All researchers must fill in the ranger notification form and send it to their SANParks liaison at least a week before their fieldwork.
  • Ranger notification form

Koedoekop decals

  • All researchers working in KNP require decals.
  • In order to obtain SANParks decals you need a permit and make a R100 refundable deposit.
  • To ensure speedy application please ensure that you fax all the documents specified in the form including a completed application form to +27 (0) 13 7354055. If you are using a University car or hired vehicle you do not have to have vehicle registration documents, but for all personal vehicles it is required.
  • Koedoekop Decals Application Form

Communication

  • Please copy your coordinator in all your SANParks correspondence.

Project proposals

Final dates for submission of research projects for 2013:

  • 25 January 2013
  • 8 April 2013
  • 12 July 2013
  • 13 September 2013
  • 25 October 2013
  • Please allow an additional 8 weeks after each date for approval & commencement of field work.

Research Project Application

Download the Research Project Application Form

Contact us

Project Reports and Data and Metadata requirements

Please see links below to download the past projects reports, the final report format and the Data and Metadata requirements:

Submissions

Project reports and project proposals need to be submitted to Rheinhardt Scholtz. Data and metadata need to be submitted to Judith.botha@sanparks.org and Cc'd. to rheinhardt.scholtz@sanparks.org. If your data does not fit in any of the above categories please contact Judith.botha@sanparks.org for help.