Week of free access to South African national parks

Posted by Jeff on Sep 14, 2015 @ 9:21 am in Conservation | 0 comments | Last modified: September 14, 2015

From Tuesday until Saturday, September 15-19, 2015 South African citizens will have free access to most of the country’s national parks. This is in celebration of the 10th annual South African National Parks week currently running under the theme “Know your national parks”.

The week was officially inaugurated by Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa at Limpopo’s Marakele National Park. South African National Parks (SANParks) has partnered with First National Bank and Total South Africa to promote access to 19 of the 21 national parks under SANParks’ management, including the Kruger National Park.

The free access to the country’s national parks will include game drives, guided walks and talks; will be granted on presentation of a valid identity document; and will be limited to day visits only. SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni said the majority of South Africans do not visit national parks, hence this week’s campaign encouraging them to do so.

“SANParks started this campaign to encourage all South Africans, especially those from the communities around the parks, to share in what SANParks envisions to be the pride and joy of all South Africans and the world… It is an opportunity to showcase all national parks as key and affordable local holiday destinations which offer a unique and enlightening experience that families and individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles and communities could enjoy.”