South African National Parks has reminded South Africans to take advantage of its 18th annual SANParks Week, which will provide free to access to most of the country’s national parks from September 16-24.
SANParks GM: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations, Rey Thakhuli, said: “Under the established theme ‘Know Your National Parks’ the week-long campaign encourages citizens through the #LiveYourWild campaign to visit a national park free and be part of a world-wide campaign.
“SANParks is striving to provide all South Africans with equal opportunities and, in line with our vision of a ‘A world-class system of sustainable national parks reconnecting and inspiring society’, we want to inspire people to take pride in and to enjoy their national parks while spending time in nature.”
This year, SANParks will open the week in Kruger National Park. The feature element of this campaign is the free access granted to all South African day visitors carrying their official identity documents. Young persons under the age of 16 will be allowed free access without proof of identity.
The free access to the parks will not include accommodation and commercial activities in the park such as guided safaris in vehicles or guided walks.
Namaqua National Park and Boulders Penguin Colony and the Cableway in Table Mountain National Park are not included in the free access.
Thakhuli concluded: “Since we started the programme in 2006, some 691 418 South Africans have been afforded the opportunity to enter national parks, and we want to see these numbers grow. The survival of the South African national parks system and our natural and cultural heritage lies in the people of South Africa.”
Click here to access individual park dates and participating parks.
