SANParks Great Service

[DJR]

I believe in giving credit where credit is due:

 

I got a new Activity Card in December last year to allow me to ride in Tokai Forest. (I have had a Wild Card right from the very start, with hiccups and all.) Unfortunately they wrote the "start date" as the "expiry date" on the card, meaning it expired on the day I paid for it. I had no proof of payment, just my (hopefully good) word.

 

On Sunday, for the first time ever, one of the Rangers in Silvermine, noticed that and asked me to pay for my entry and take the matter up with the office on Monday. This was mildly annoying but no big deal.

 

I went there today and it was somewhat busy with several people wanting new cards. Sandra Hollermann, the new manager of Tokai, came out of her office to help. She was friendly and helpfull, checked their computer records that what I claimed was indeed true and 5 minutes later I walked out with a hotly laminated new card with the correct expiry date on it. Without any annoying red tape!

 

Impressive!

[awesme]

like

[(Deon)]

I believe in giving credit where credit is due:

 

I got a new Activity Card in December last year to allow me to ride in Tokai Forest. (I have had a Wild Card right from the very start, with hiccups and all.) Unfortunately they wrote the "start date" as the "expiry date" on the card, meaning it expired on the day I paid for it. I had no proof of payment, just my (hopefully good) word.

 

On Sunday, for the first time ever, one of the Rangers in Silvermine, noticed that and asked me to pay for my entry and take the matter up with the office on Monday. This was mildly annoying but no big deal.

 

I went there today and it was somewhat busy with several people wanting new cards. Sandra Hollermann, the new manager of Tokai, came out of her office to help. She was friendly and helpfull, checked their computer records that what I claimed was indeed true and 5 minutes later I walked out with a hotly laminated new card with the correct expiry date on it. Without any annoying red tape!

 

Impressive!

 

Is this the thread where we discuss the "new Tokai"?

 

I'd also like to add that despite the good relationship we eventually developed with the now retired section ranger, his replacement and the head office move means I can also breath a sigh of relief.. It's a new Tokai with it's old world charm.

[CAAD4]

So did you get a refund for paying the Ranger?

[DJR]

So did you get a refund for paying the Ranger?

I put the receipt through the washing machine while in the back pocket of my cycling shirt and on Monday it was simply a green ball of papermache, so I didn't even ask for a re-fund. I was just too happy with how they sorted the bigger issue out for me to even bother with a couple of bucks.

Edited September 11, 2012 by DJR

[Beattbox]

Glad this annoyance had a happy ending.

Kudo's to you for keeping your cool tho' with the ranger who realized that there was a clerical error on your card but would not back down on his insistence that you pay.

[nishiki]

I believe in giving credit where credit is due:

 

I got a new Activity Card in December last year to allow me to ride in Tokai Forest. (I have had a Wild Card right from the very start, with hiccups and all.) Unfortunately they wrote the "start date" as the "expiry date" on the card, meaning it expired on the day I paid for it. I had no proof of payment, just my (hopefully good) word.

 

On Sunday, for the first time ever, one of the Rangers in Silvermine, noticed that and asked me to pay for my entry and take the matter up with the office on Monday. This was mildly annoying but no big deal.

 

I went there today and it was somewhat busy with several people wanting new cards. Sandra Hollermann, the new manager of Tokai, came out of her office to help. She was friendly and helpfull, checked their computer records that what I claimed was indeed true and 5 minutes later I walked out with a hotly laminated new card with the correct expiry date on it. Without any annoying red tape!

 

Impressive!

So you're congratulating them for fixing their stuff up? And that shows how awesome they are?

 

Umm, ok

[Eddy Gordo]

Hmm, that is great service, just a pity that one cant purchase a card at the braai area of weekends. I made the trek into cape town 3 times for the activity card, and the guys service there is just p&&** poor!! I called them a few times to confirm until what time they will be there after stating I want to buy a wild card and have been given the wrong information of 2 occasions. Then the guys there are just not interested in helping either. So the struggle for me continues until I can figure out how to select level 3 activity permit on the online application

[Big H*]

Talking about SANParks in general. We have been visiting their parks now for 50 years. December we ill be visting Golden Gate and Camdebo. Always had amazing service. August next year two weeks in Kgalagadi!

[Eddy Gordo]

Yeah the parks are great, but that office in Cape Town off Strand street is pathetic!

[jimmy hardtail]

Go to muizenberg pavillion office. I went on a saturday morning and was done in 15 minutes. Easiest thing ever!

[DJR]

Hmm, that is great service, just a pity that one cant purchase a card at the braai area of weekends. I made the trek into cape town 3 times for the activity card, and the guys service there is just p&&** poor!! I called them a few times to confirm until what time they will be there after stating I want to buy a wild card and have been given the wrong information of 2 occasions. Then the guys there are just not interested in helping either. So the struggle for me continues until I can figure out how to select level 3 activity permit on the online application

The best most organized place is the headoffice which is now located in Tokai. It is the last building on your right as you drive (or ride) up to the manor house. They know exactly what to do and will sort you out in no time at all. Make sure to take an utility bill of some kind to prove you are a Capie, your ID to prove you are who you say, as well as (I think) 3 passport pictures. You don't need to get a wildcard, you can get an activity card on its own. They do the whole thing there and then and you walk out with it in your hand. No fuss, no waiting, no struggling with an impossible to solve online problem. Unfortunately they are only open during office hours and not on weekends when most of us tend to ride, but that gives you an excuse for an extra midweek ride and knocking off work early (us Capies should have no issue with that one).

[Eddy Gordo]

schwweeettt, gonna try and run away early on wednesday, tokai office sounds awesome!!

[breaker]

You don't need to get a wildcard, you can get an activity card on its own.

 

What's the difference?

 

Also can you confirm the exact location of this office in tokai, I assume you drive past the entrance to tokai forest(braai area) and then you get the manor house?

[DJR]

What's the difference?

 

Also can you confirm the exact location of this office in tokai, I assume you drive past the entrance to tokai forest(braai area) and then you get the manor house?

 

The office is on your right hand side just before you get to the Manor House.

 

A Wild card (various types are available) will give you and or family free access to Cape Nature and or SANParks areas. If you are going to be visiting places like Kruger / Cape Point / West Coast NP / Kgalagadi / Richtersveld, then it makes sense to get a Wild card, especially if you take the family with.

 

If you only want to cycle, get an Activity card for R360 and you have unlimited access to cycle Tokai and Silvermine for a year. With single day entries now costing R40, you only have to go 10 times to make it worth your while.

[Slowbee]

Nice one DJR