The purpose of this initiative is to continue to encourage citizens to know their parks and enjoy their natural heritage especially communities that are bordering these protected areas as they might not ordinarily be able to afford the general entry fees.
The Kruger National Park (KNP) will open its gates only during weekdays i.e. 18 to 22 September 2023 and implores people to make online bookings as quotas will be implemented to avoid congestion both at the gates and other public areas within the park. This free entry is applicable to South Africans who will be requested to present their South African identity documents when making bookings. No alcohol will be allowed, and the free access is only for entry and no other tourism activities.
Visitors are urged to plan their trips accordingly to avoid having to rush back as there are speed limits within the park. Park rules will be enforced as always to ensure that visitors enjoy their visits. “The free access week takes place during September, which is both Tourism and Heritage Month, therefore it makes sense for us to have National Parks Week during this period, especially for our neighbouring communities.
In celebration of National Parks Week, KNP will have activities lined up to highlight awareness around conservation and tourism – careers available as well as universal access for persons with disabilities. These activities will allow us an opportunity to strengthen relations with the key stakeholders from around the park”; said the Spokesperson of the KNP, Isaac Phaahla.
There are planned activities for invited guests as follows:
17 September 2022 – Launch of the free access week in Skukuza
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- The event will serve as a launch for the SA National Parks Week, wherein SANParks management will be afforded an opportunity to interact with various stakeholders coming from the local communities.
18 – 21 September 2023 – Sign language training in Skukuza
- To promote access to all South Africans, the South African Deaf Youth Development Organisation (SADYDO) will conduct sign language training specifically for KNP frontline staff members in order to equip them with skills to communicate with persons who are deaf.
18 – 23 September 2023 – Walk and Learn on the Wild Side in Skukuza
- KNP will host the event in conjunction with Mpumalanga’s Department of Education – Bohlabela and Ehlanzeni Districts. The project targets high school pupils specifically Grade 10 and 11 from neighbouring communities, exposing them to conservation and tourism-related careers. 200 learners will be hosted, the learners will be divided into groups of 40 alternating daily.
- The same event targeted at Grade 10 and 11 learners from Limpopo province (Mopani and Vhembe districts) will take place a week after National Parks Week at Mopani Camp.
20 September 2023 – Pitch and Perfect Competition at Mopani Camp
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- SANParks in conjunction with NYDA Limpopo trained youth-owned enterprises in a business management training recently; the trainees (35) will be expected to present their business ideas to prospective opportunity providers on the day.
- The objectives are: to enable SANParks to link the enterprises to SANParks/Kruger National Park (KNP) business opportunities or its business partners (concessions in the park) and also to create linkages between the enterprises and other developmental stakeholders in the regional economy within the Greater Kruger Landscape.
22 – 25 September 2023 – Gate exhibitions
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- Though this event takes place throughout the year, some of the implementation dates will fall under this year’s National Parks Week; wherein KNP will showcase its tourism products and services at certain gates as part of its marketing outreach programme.
- The exhibitions are meant to afford existing and prospective clients an opportunity to have one-on-one interaction with KNP Staff members and discuss various tourism and conservation-related issues. The dates are Phalaborwa Gate – 22 September, Orpen Gate – 23 September, Phabeni Gate – 24 September, and Paul Kruger Gate – 25 September.
Conditions applicable to the free entry are that access will only be granted to day visitors upon presentation of an identity document; only children below the age of 16 years gain entry without proof of identity. Groups regarded as commercial ventures: private open safari vehicle operators, tourists who come to the park on tour buses, and overnight visitors are not included in this free access arrangement.
