Discover Africa Safaris facilitates a free gateway to South Africa’s natural heritage
A great opportunity is being made available to visit national parks for free. This is how you can take advantage of this window of opportunity.
As the 18th annual South Africa National Parks week draws near, Discover Africa Safaris is gearing up to enhance the experience for South Africans with the introduction of a groundbreaking online tool. This year, the event, themed ‘Know Your National Parks,’ will unfold from Saturday, September 16 to Sunday, September 24, offering citizens a golden opportunity to visit most of the 21 national parks for free.
SANParks CEO, Hapiloe Sello, highlighted that the week was established to cultivate a sense of pride in the country’s heritage safeguarded by the national parks system. The initiative, which has been running since 2006, has already enabled approximately 691,418 South Africans to explore the national parks at no cost. “Every year, we aim to increase the number of citizens granted free access to national parks during this time, fostering a deeper connection with our natural heritage,” said Rey Thakhuli, a spokesperson for SANParks.
However, it’s important to note that the free access does not extend to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities. Certain areas, including the Namaqua National Park, Boulders Penguin Colony, and the Cableway in Table Mountain National Park, are excluded from the free access offer. For detailed information on individual park dates and participating parks, visitors are encouraged to check the SANParks website.
Your digital companion to South Africa’s natural wonders
To further enrich this initiative, Discover Africa Safaris presents the South Africa National Parks Explorer, a digital platform designed to inspire and facilitate visits to the magnificent national parks of South Africa. This tool serves as a comprehensive guide, allowing users to browse through a number of popular national parks at their convenience, learning about various aspects such as accessibility, accommodation options, and costs.
Mr. Sello emphasized the critical role of national parks in promoting sustainable conservation, celebrating culture and heritage, and empowering adjacent communities through job creation and business opportunities, particularly for small business owners.
“This initiative aims to impart an understanding of the role SANParks plays as the custodian of the country’s natural heritage. Creating a sense of ownership among all South Africans is vital, and this can only be achieved by granting them access to these natural wonders,” he added.
All South Africans are invited  to immerse themselves in the beauty and diversity that the country’s national parks have to offer. The National Parks Explorer tool stands as your digital gateway to a rich and diverse natural experience, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of South Africa’s precious natural heritage.
