Shuttle train planned at Sossusvlei
Proposal wants all 4x4 traffic stopped
A tourism operator wants exclusive rights to transport tourists from the tarred road to Sossusvlei by train.
Interested and affected parties have until the end of this month to register and give input with regard to a plan to construct and operate a shuttle train and a tethered helium balloon at Sossusvlei.
Green Earth Environmental Consultants have been appointed by Sky Eye Tours and Hospitality to complete the environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan for the project to obtain an environmental clearance certificate.
The consultants say it is the intention of Sky Eye Tours and Hospitality to introduce a motorised passenger transport system and tethered helium balloon, as well as supporting facilities such as a ticketing office, boarding facilities, ablutions, a snack shop, bar area and medical room at Sossusvlei.
According to a background document about the project, it is estimated that, before Covid-19, approximately 600 000 tourists (between 1 000 and 1 500/day) visited Sossusvlei annually.
4x4 only
“Currently these tourists travel from Sesriem to Sossusvlei via the tar road. The tourists either travel in their own vehicles, by hired vehicles or in groups as part of a guided tour with busses or safari vehicles.”
The last four kilometres of the road to Sossusvlei is not tarred and only accessible by a 4x4 vehicle as it follows the Tsauchab riverbed to the vlei area.
Therefore, only tourists travelling with 4x4 vehicles can drive through to the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei areas. The others must park their vehicles at the end of the tar road and either walk to the vlei area or make use of the NWR service of a tractor with a trailer and safari vehicles to travel to the vlei area.
“The proposed motorised transport system will cover the last four kilometres from the end of the tar road to the vlei area. Currently this section of the road to Sossusvlei and the Deadvlei area is only reachable via a 4x4 vehicle,” the document states.
Exclusive access
It says the intention is to close this stretch of the road for all vehicles by offering an exclusive motorised transport system in the form of a train which will take tourists from the end of the tar road to the vlei area and back.
“The proponent also intends to install and operate a tethered helium balloon at the western end of the rail which will take tourists up in the air to allow them to view the vlei area and dunes from above and to take photos.”
The document further explains that the rail on which the train will be operated will follow the current 4x4 track (the Tsauchab riverbed) from the parking area at the end of the tar road to the vlei area.
The tethered balloon will be installed at the western end of the rail, while the kiosk/restaurant and ablution facilities will be constructed at the existing parking area at the end of the tar road from the eastern starting point of the rail.
It says the expected jobs to be created will be 10 people for the train operations, six people for the balloon operations, 10 to 15 at the main station, shop, office and bar, which totals up to 40 staff members.
Other than the impact on the natural ambience of the area that the project will have, current operators will lose income and jobs from not operating the 4x4 shuttle service.
The proposed activities will only continue if an environmental clearance certificate is obtained from the environment ministry and all other statutory requirements can be complied with.
Green Earth Environmental Consultants have been appointed by Sky Eye Tours and Hospitality to complete the environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan for the project to obtain an environmental clearance certificate.
The consultants say it is the intention of Sky Eye Tours and Hospitality to introduce a motorised passenger transport system and tethered helium balloon, as well as supporting facilities such as a ticketing office, boarding facilities, ablutions, a snack shop, bar area and medical room at Sossusvlei.
According to a background document about the project, it is estimated that, before Covid-19, approximately 600 000 tourists (between 1 000 and 1 500/day) visited Sossusvlei annually.
4x4 only
“Currently these tourists travel from Sesriem to Sossusvlei via the tar road. The tourists either travel in their own vehicles, by hired vehicles or in groups as part of a guided tour with busses or safari vehicles.”
The last four kilometres of the road to Sossusvlei is not tarred and only accessible by a 4x4 vehicle as it follows the Tsauchab riverbed to the vlei area.
Therefore, only tourists travelling with 4x4 vehicles can drive through to the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei areas. The others must park their vehicles at the end of the tar road and either walk to the vlei area or make use of the NWR service of a tractor with a trailer and safari vehicles to travel to the vlei area.
“The proposed motorised transport system will cover the last four kilometres from the end of the tar road to the vlei area. Currently this section of the road to Sossusvlei and the Deadvlei area is only reachable via a 4x4 vehicle,” the document states.
Exclusive access
It says the intention is to close this stretch of the road for all vehicles by offering an exclusive motorised transport system in the form of a train which will take tourists from the end of the tar road to the vlei area and back.
“The proponent also intends to install and operate a tethered helium balloon at the western end of the rail which will take tourists up in the air to allow them to view the vlei area and dunes from above and to take photos.”
The document further explains that the rail on which the train will be operated will follow the current 4x4 track (the Tsauchab riverbed) from the parking area at the end of the tar road to the vlei area.
The tethered balloon will be installed at the western end of the rail, while the kiosk/restaurant and ablution facilities will be constructed at the existing parking area at the end of the tar road from the eastern starting point of the rail.
It says the expected jobs to be created will be 10 people for the train operations, six people for the balloon operations, 10 to 15 at the main station, shop, office and bar, which totals up to 40 staff members.
Other than the impact on the natural ambience of the area that the project will have, current operators will lose income and jobs from not operating the 4x4 shuttle service.
The proposed activities will only continue if an environmental clearance certificate is obtained from the environment ministry and all other statutory requirements can be complied with.
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