Cape Nature can do better.

Planned a day outing at the Goukama reserve at BuffaloBay, Southern Cape om 17 Jan 2021, Called the national line on Friday to confirm they are open as well as pricing. \Was told the day visitor fee is R40 and park is open for recreational activities. On arrival at the gate on Sunday was charged a fee of R50 per person. (day fee on the notice board was covered with a hand made sticker indicating R50 and put it down to opertunatism as beaches were closed during lockdown.) Paid the fee and entered the park. While setting up for the day noticed that we left the paddles for our canoe at home in Knysna and I made the 60km roundtrip to fetch. On return my family told me that they were not allowed on the water so the trip was in vain. While the park took the time to hike the fee with a temporary sticker none of the activities were covered or blocked out. When we asked our money back were told that we already stayed to long (remember the return trip to Knysna to fetch paddles we could not use!) Our reason in the first place to visit the park for the day was to experience some outdoor activities in a volume controlled environment (It was only us and another couple in the whole of the picnic area along the river). Please Cape Nature Just like government you need to remember we are fighting a Virus and are not at war with the People of this country. Rowing our own canoe and swimming in your controlled environment would do a lot for our mental health while trying to keep our wits to come up with plans to keep my staff employed while not exposing anybody to any covid risk at all. Won't be back and will take my chances to outrun the police on the beach for free.