This upmarket game lodge offers easy day game drives to the Savuti Marsh area and the Chobe River front: for sale

Key features

(Marketed in association with Geoff Stroebel, Principal of Realnet Premier, Cape Town). 

LOCATION

• Situated approx. 16km south-east of Kachikau on the Kasane/Savuti transit route.
• First 110km from Kasane International Airport on a good tar road to Kachikau via the Chobe Forest Reserve plus 16km on sand road only accessible by 4X4. Private vehicles may be left in a secure area in Kachikau and transport is then provided to the Lodge.
• 70 km from Savuti via the 4X4 transit route, which would take approx. 2 ½ hours.
• Twelve double-storey self-catering guest accommodation units offering 2 double bedrooms each, and all with en-suite bathrooms with showers, a fully equipped kitchenette and lounge/dining area.

ACCOMMODATION

• Each unit has its own upstairs covered viewing deck.
• Green construction using Light Gauge Steel
  framing, insulated and waterproofed with “Peralin” paint.
• Green Chromadek roof sheeting on LGS roof trusses.
• The campsite, which is in the process of being completed, will offer 12 campsites plus ablution block with washup area and male & female toilets and showers.
• Separate, fenced bar and braai area for the campsites.

SITE & SERVICES

• The plot measures 22,450m².
• Electric fence of two meters high surrounds the entire Lodge and Bushcamp.
• Water sourced from five on-site boreholes – 5,000ltrs p/hr into two 5 000ltr tanks.
• Drainage and sewerage channelled into conservancy tanks & piped into “Bio Box” sewerage treatment system.
• Electricity via Solar Panels and inverter system with storage batteries and diesel generator back-up.
• Communications via Satellite dish – cellphone and internet connectivity.
• Laundry for the lodge is delivered to a facility in Kachikau on a daily basis.

ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

• Outdoor communal Boma and Lapa for cooking, barbecues, eating and socialising.
• Communal staff area, 2 staff bedrooms and M&F Showers/Ablutions & Generator House.
• Secure workshops and storerooms provided by utilising several 6m shipping containers.

MAIN BUILDING

• Ground floor consisting of reception plus curio shop, public toilets, kitchen and comfortable managers quarters.
• First floor comprises the magnificent viewing deck overlooking the pan, together with a large communal lounge and relaxing area plus fully-stocked honesty bar with two large display fridges.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SUPPLIES AND GROCERIES

• Occasional catering is provided for small parties by the Lodge staff, and groceries are purchased from Kasane on a weekly basis.
• Kasane also has a range of shops where other supplies and equipment can be purchased.

GAME DRIVES & OTHER ACTIVITIES

• The Lodge offers a variety of game drives for guests ranging from short localised viewings to full-day drives into the Chobe Forest Reserve and along the banks of the Chobe River.
• Visitors can also do day trips into Kasane where they can enjoy awesome river cruises on a variety of boats on the Chobe River. Kasane also offers a wide range of coffee shops, pubs and restaurants.
• The border crossing into Zambia at Kazungula Ferry is just west of Kasane and day trips to Victoria Falls are very popular. It takes about 3 hours to reach Vic Falls, dependent upon the traffic and delays at the border posts.

AIR TRAVEL

• Kasane boasts a new, state of the art International airport that is serviced from Johannesburg on a daily basis by SA Airlink as well as Air Botswana every other day.
• Charter flights into the Okavango Delta also depart from Kasane.

ACCOMMODATION RATES, INCOME AND EXPENSES

• As the Lodge has only recently started trading, there are no comprehensive accommodation income statistics available.
• The current accommodation rates average at BWP 3,150 per chalet per night for 2 pax and BWP 4,950 per chalet per night for 4 pax. Camping rates are discounted for SADAC guests at BWP 250 per person per night, and are BWP 400 p.p.p.n. for international guests. 
• Current running expenses average out at approximately BWP 50,000 per month plus an estimated management salary of BWP 20,000.
• Therefore, break-even needs only to be 1 X two-bed chalet occupancy per night!

MARKETING OF THE LODGE AS A DESTINATION

As the Lodge has only recently been completed, very little marketing has taken place, and this would be an area that the new owner would concentrate on in order to improve the visibility and exposure of the Lodge via the many opportunities available. Revenue will then be substantially increased.

STAFF

Apart from the management couple, the current staff compliment consists of 6 general assistants including one driver and one maintenance person who live on the property and four other staff who reside in Kachikau and who commute daily to the lodge.

REASON FOR SALE

Having completed the lodge as a project, the owner wishes to now focus his attention on conservation as well as the Elephant Migratory Project in Botswana which will involve the planning and construction of solar-powered water points scattered throughout Northern Botswana.

INTERESTED PURCHASERS

• The owners will arrange transport from Kasane to the Lodge and facilitate the accommodation of prospective and qualified purchasers for two nights in order for them to familiarise themselves with the facilities and surroundings. 
• Travel to and from Botswana will be for the prospective purchaser’s own account, however the Agent undertakes to reimburse to a successful purchaser, their travel expenses up to the value of ZAR 12,000 upon the completion and registration of a sale.

SUBJECT MATTER & PURCHASE PRICE

• The deal will involve the purchase of the existing holding company that holds the title to, and leases over the land.
• The only asset of the Company is the lodge, the improvements and equipment and the leases, and the sellers will guarantee that the Company will be unencumbered and free of any debt as at the time of the sale. A period of Due Diligence will be allowed for in the sale agreement.
• The owners will provide a comprehensive list to the purchaser of the moveable assets included in the sale, which would form part and parcel of the agreement of sale.
• The asking price for the entire package is set at BWP22 million. The price is based upon a formal valuation of the land, improvements and the lease in place, and conducted by a Chartered Quantity and Valuation Surveyor based in Botswana.
• As always, the price is negotiable.