By Charmaine Ndlela
South Africans can visit 18 national parks without paying conservation fees this week as the 21st annual SA National Parks Week gets under way, although Kruger, West Coast and Augrabies will end the free-entry offer on Friday.
The annual South African National Parks initiative runs from 7 to 13 September and gives day visitors free access to participating national parks across the country.
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The offer covers entry or conservation fees only. Accommodation, guided activities, game drives and other tourist activities that normally attract a fee are not included.
Visitors aged 18 and older must present a valid South African ID at the gate, while those younger than 18 are required to provide valid birth certificates.
Individual parks may also impose different entry conditions and visitor limits.
Kruger National Park will offer free access from 7 to 11 September, while most of the other participating parks will continue the initiative until Sunday, 13 September.
In the Cape Region, Agulhas, Bontebok, Table Mountain and Tankwa Karoo national parks will offer free access from 7 to 13 September.
West Coast National Park will offer free access from 7 to 11 September, with the initiative not extending into the weekend because the park is in its active flower season.
At Table Mountain National Park, the free-entry offer excludes the Boulders Penguin Colony section and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is also excluded.
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SANParks said the week gives families and visitors an opportunity to explore trails, scenic landscapes, wildlife and birdlife across some of the country’s best-known protected areas.
At Agulhas National Park, visitors can explore the southernmost tip of Africa, take in the coastline and learn about the area’s maritime history, including shipwrecks.
Bontebok National Park offers hiking, cycling, fishing and wildlife experiences, although the Bushbuck and Ou Tuin trails remain closed following flooding in May.
Table Mountain National Park offers hiking, scenic viewpoints and family activities across areas including Tokai Forest, Newlands, Silvermine and Oudekraal. Visitors can also explore the Cape of Good Hope and the Early Sapiens Behaviour exhibition at the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre.
West Coast National Park provides an opportunity to experience the annual wildflower season, explore the lagoon and make use of hiking trails. More than 250 bird species have been recorded in the park, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.
In the Frontier Region, Addo Elephant, Camdeboo, Karoo and Mountain Zebra national parks will offer free access from 7 to 13 September.
Addo Elephant National Park, near Gqeberha, gives visitors an opportunity to spot the Big Five while undertaking self-drive game viewing. Hiking and birding activities are also available in parts of the park.
Camdeboo National Park offers short walks, hikes and 4×4 routes, as well as self-drive game viewing and access to the Valley of Desolation.
Karoo National Park is known for its landscapes and offers opportunities for game viewing and birdwatching. Visitors can also make use of short walking routes, the fossil trail, picnic sites and swimming pools.
Mountain Zebra National Park offers self-drive game viewing, birdwatching, rest-camp walks and 4×4 trails.
Garden Route National Park will also offer free conservation entry from 7 to 13 September across its Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma sections.
In Tsitsikamma, visitors can explore the Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge, the indigenous forest around the Big Tree and hiking trails.
The Knysna section includes attractions such as the Garden of Eden, Forest Legends Museum and Kranshoek Viewpoint, while Wilderness offers access to attractions including the Touw River, Kingfisher Trail and Jubilee Creek.
Accommodation and other activities that normally carry additional fees remain excluded from the free-access offer.
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Golden Gate Highlands, Mapungubwe and Marakele national parks are among the Northern Region parks participating from 7 to 13 September.
At Golden Gate Highlands National Park, visitors can explore hiking trails and scenic drives, while activities available in the park include horse riding and abseiling. The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre provides an opportunity to learn more about the area’s prehistoric heritage.
Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site offers views of the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, near where South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet.
The park also contains Mapungubwe Hill, an important archaeological site providing insight into one of Southern Africa’s earliest complex societies and its extensive trade networks.
The Mapungubwe Hill activity is, however, a paid attraction and must be booked in advance.
Marakele National Park provides access to the Lenong viewpoint, which stands 2,088 metres above sea level, as well as opportunities for visitors to spot the Big Five.
In the Arid Region, |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Mokala National Park will offer free access from 7 to 13 September.
Augrabies Falls National Park will participate from 7 to 11 September, while Namaqua National Park is not included in the free-access initiative.
Activities across the region include hiking, self-guided game drives, birdwatching and mountain-biking routes, although activities that normally attract separate charges are not covered by the free-entry offer.
Augrabies Falls National Park offers panoramic views of the waterfall, gorge and Orange River, while the Richtersveld area gives visitors an opportunity to experience its distinctive landscapes and botanical heritage.
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“This initiative aims to encourage South Africans to explore their natural heritage and foster a sense of ownership. However, this free access is specifically for day visits,” SANParks says on its National Parks Week information page.
SANParks is also urging visitors to plan their trips, check individual park conditions and visitor limits, follow park rules and regulations, dispose of waste responsibly and help keep protected areas safe.
Since its inception in 2006, SA National Parks Week has grown into one of SANParks’ flagship public-awareness initiatives, aimed at encouraging South Africans to experience the country’s protected areas and build greater appreciation for the natural and cultural heritage they safeguard.
In 2025 alone, more than 105,000 visitors took advantage of the free-access initiative.
