Travellers are urged to take advantage of the free access to the country’s national parks during SANParks Week, which runs from September 16-24.

“National Parks Week is an ideal opportunity for us to introduce the majesty and beauty of the country’s national parks to the people, especially to communities who seldom get to experience and enjoy these areas of conservation, cultural heritage, and biological diversity right on their doorstep,” said Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy.

The free access offered through the South African National Parks system aims to inspire people to take pride in the country’s cultural heritage while spending time with nature.

All South Africans are encouraged to carry their identity documents to access the country’s national parks, but children under 16 will not have to provide identification.

“Since the inception of the SANParks Week in 2006, more than 619 292 South Africans, who may not otherwise have had an opportunity to visit a national park, have participated,” said Creecy.

The Minister added that some of the country’s provincial conservation authorities, such as the Limpopo Tourism Agency, North West Tourism and Parks Board, would be joining ‘Mahala Week’, where selected game reserves in the provinces would also offer free access.

“Tourism is an important part of our country’s economy and contributes significantly to GDP and job creation. As a preferred tourist destination, we should not lose sight of the importance of continuing to find innovative ways to continue to grow this sector.

“Key to this remains the partnerships between government, communities and the private sector. It is thus important to acknowledge the much-needed assistance from the National Department of Tourism, which has supported several infrastructure projects in our national parks,” said Creecy.

In this regard, the Minister referred to the energy saving solar power projects installed in the Kruger National Park last year, as well as the funding programme to provide access to market, finance and business development support to SMMEs from communities surrounding South Africa’s major national parks.

“This is a positive step toward greater co-operation between government departments and institutions and to our efforts to rebuild and rethink the ways in which we finance and manage our protected areas. Such partnerships can and will ensure the future sustainability of nature-based tourism and its longer-term employment potential,” noted Creecy.