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Kruger National Park - Skukuza Rest Camp Refurbishment, Mpumalanga

Project Type
  • Innovation
  • Metal Cladding
Project Team Zoom Interview Case Study
Project Overview

This Kruger National Park accommodation upgrade project utilised innovative metal cladding to enhance visitor experience while addressing practical challenges. The Harvey thatch-style tiles provided fire resistance, reduced maintenance needs, and preserved the traditional rounded aesthetic, all while enabling easy installation over existing thatched roofs. By training local contractors, the project also supported skills development. This strategic solution balanced functionality, cost-effectiveness, and heritage preservation, making it a standout example of how modern materials can be thoughtfully integrated into iconic tourism destinations.

Project Details
The Harvey thatch-style metal tiles were fabricated in a specialised factory capable of high-volume production. On-site, the tiles were shaped and fitted to the curved roof profiles, maintaining the traditional rounded dome design.
A key challenge was preserving the iconic domed silhouette of the rondavel roofs while transitioning to a fire-resistant metal cladding system. The design team worked closely with the manufacturer to develop a solution that allowed the square metal tiles to be precisely shaped and fitted to the curved roof profiles. Additionally, integrating the new metal roofing with the existing thatched ceilings required careful detailing to uphold the nostalgic ambiance. By training local contractors on installation, the project ensured the availability of skilled labor to maintain the upgraded accommodations long-term, supporting the park's operational sustainability.
Benefits of Steel in this Application

The use of Harvey thatch-style metal cladding in the Kruger National Park accommodation upgrade project addresses key challenges with the existing thatched roofs, including fire risk, high maintenance costs, and disruption to operations.

The metal cladding provides fire resistance with an A+ fire rating, reduces maintenance needs, and can be easily installed over the existing thatch. Importantly, the team was able to shape the metal to maintain the traditional rounded dome design, preserving the aesthetic appeal.

The project also involved training local contractors on the installation, supporting skills development. Overall, the metal cladding solution balances functionality, cost-effectiveness, and heritage preservation.

Testimonials

In their video interview, the project team expressed a strong sense of accomplishment in overcoming the technical challenges to deliver a solution that balanced functionality and heritage preservation. They noted a "best of both worlds" outcome, where the fire-resistant metal cladding maintained the thatched ceiling ambiance that visitors cherish. The also mentioned the team's collaborative efforts to keep the dome - a crucial design element - while integrating the new roofing system. Overall, the team took great pride in creating an outcome that not only met the practical needs of the park, but also resonated with the park's regular visitors through its sensitive treatment of the iconic rondavel architecture.

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