South African National Parks (SANParks) has finally the dates for the 16th annual SA National Parks Week. The free access week will take place from 22 to 28 November 2021.
The free access week, which usually takes place in September, gives all South African citizens the opportunity to enter most of the National Parks managed by SANParks for free, with the exclusion of the Boulders section of Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town as well as accommodation facilities and tourist activities.
The South African National Parks acting Chief Executive Officer Luthando Dziba shared,
“The aim of the campaign is meant to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage” as well as shed light on biodiversity.” – Luthando Dziba.
“It is important for South Africans to visit and know the importance of national parks,” he continued.
“There is a growing need for national parks to be relevant, particularly to young people and communities living adjacent to parks.”
Among the parks South African and travellers and tourists can visit for free is the Agulhas National Park, Augrabies Falls National Park, Bontebok National Park, Camdeboo National Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park and Karoo National Park among the many.
Free access for those visiting Addo, Kgalagadi, Kruger and the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park will only be valid until Friday, November 26.
The programme, which started in 2006, has already seen 591 234 South Africans enjoy free park access.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the number of free access guests that the participating National Parks in South Africa are able to cater for will be subject to gate quotas and extra visitor management procedures will be in place to manage visitor volumes.
