SANparks announces dates for Free Access Week - 2019/20/21
Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2019 12:47 pm
If you're a traveller working on a tight budget who wants to see more of our beautiful country - then you need to diarise the upcoming SA National Parks Free Access week.
The 14th annual SA National Parks Week will take place from 8 to 15 September 2019 grants free access to most of the 21 national parks for day visitor.
And best of all it includes weekend access during this time.
Parks excluded from the free week are Namaqua National Park and Boulders Penguin Colony (although locals already get a reduced rate) and the Table Mountain Cableway in Table Mountain National Park.
It should be noted that free access to parks does not in include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities
The inaugural South African National Parks Week took place in 2006 and was aimed at linking the South African national parks system to the global national movement and to also showcase the best of South Africa’s national parks.
"We are proud to once again celebrate this week with our partners, Total South Africa and FNB. This year SANParks is pleased to announce that it has extended SA National Parks Week to include weekends, heeding the request from South Africans who don't have time to visit national parks during the week."
NB: It will take place between 10 and 14th September 2018. Visitors must bring along your green bar-coded SA ID book or SA ID Card to gain free entry.
1. The Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is not only one of the world's most renown wildlife spots, but it also happens to be a place where South Africans of all walks of life can appreciate our natural heritage - if ever you needed to sum up what's unique and proudly South Africa about our country, Kruger pretty much hits the spot. Be warned, a free week is not enough if it's your first time. You will be back, Kruger is just that exceptional.
2. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Rolling red dunes and wide open skies: there’s no better place in the world to experience the absolute immensity of the Kalahari Desert than in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The reserve is an amalgamation of what was once South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park. It covers a whopping 3.6 million ha, making it one of the very few conservation areas of this magnitude left in the world.
3. Table Mountain National Park
Visit Cape Point and spend the day exploring the most south-westerly point in Africa. Picnic at Buffels Bay or search the rock pools near Bordjiesrif. Don’t forget to take your photograph at the Cape Point sign and upload it on Instagram. Be a tourist for a day and take a Sho’t Left for free.
4. The West Coast National Park
This is close to West Coast haven of Langebaan. It also happens to be flower season, so make the most of the Postberg section of the Park, which is only open during August and September annually. Have something to eat at Geelbek Restaurant and then experience the carpets of wild flowers, breathe in the smell and take home the memories.
5. Bontebok National Park
The smallest of South Africa's National Parks is located just outside Swellendam. This gem of a park allows hikers the joy of walking without risk, birding is at a premium and for the intrepid brace yourself for a dip in the Breede River. Take the family and make a day of it.
The 14th annual SA National Parks Week will take place from 8 to 15 September 2019 grants free access to most of the 21 national parks for day visitor.
And best of all it includes weekend access during this time.
Parks excluded from the free week are Namaqua National Park and Boulders Penguin Colony (although locals already get a reduced rate) and the Table Mountain Cableway in Table Mountain National Park.
It should be noted that free access to parks does not in include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities
The inaugural South African National Parks Week took place in 2006 and was aimed at linking the South African national parks system to the global national movement and to also showcase the best of South Africa’s national parks.
"We are proud to once again celebrate this week with our partners, Total South Africa and FNB. This year SANParks is pleased to announce that it has extended SA National Parks Week to include weekends, heeding the request from South Africans who don't have time to visit national parks during the week."
NB: It will take place between 10 and 14th September 2018. Visitors must bring along your green bar-coded SA ID book or SA ID Card to gain free entry.
1. The Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is not only one of the world's most renown wildlife spots, but it also happens to be a place where South Africans of all walks of life can appreciate our natural heritage - if ever you needed to sum up what's unique and proudly South Africa about our country, Kruger pretty much hits the spot. Be warned, a free week is not enough if it's your first time. You will be back, Kruger is just that exceptional.
2. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Rolling red dunes and wide open skies: there’s no better place in the world to experience the absolute immensity of the Kalahari Desert than in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The reserve is an amalgamation of what was once South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park. It covers a whopping 3.6 million ha, making it one of the very few conservation areas of this magnitude left in the world.
3. Table Mountain National Park
Visit Cape Point and spend the day exploring the most south-westerly point in Africa. Picnic at Buffels Bay or search the rock pools near Bordjiesrif. Don’t forget to take your photograph at the Cape Point sign and upload it on Instagram. Be a tourist for a day and take a Sho’t Left for free.
4. The West Coast National Park
This is close to West Coast haven of Langebaan. It also happens to be flower season, so make the most of the Postberg section of the Park, which is only open during August and September annually. Have something to eat at Geelbek Restaurant and then experience the carpets of wild flowers, breathe in the smell and take home the memories.
5. Bontebok National Park
The smallest of South Africa's National Parks is located just outside Swellendam. This gem of a park allows hikers the joy of walking without risk, birding is at a premium and for the intrepid brace yourself for a dip in the Breede River. Take the family and make a day of it.