Visit Kruger National Park during SANParks Week

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Visit Kruger National Park during SANParks Week

Visit the Kruger National Park during SANParks Free Access Week 2021! The annual South African National Parks Week is an initiative aimed at giving all South African citizens the opportunity to experience the incredible variety of National Parks our country has to offer.

This year SANParks will celebrate its 16th annual South African National Parks Week from the 22nd – 28th of November 2021, granting free access to day visitors to most of its National Parks across the country, including the renowned Kruger National Park (KNP).

While SANParks will be hosting its annual SA National Parks Week from 22 to 28 November 2021, the free access will only be valid until Friday 26 November at the following National Parks:

  • Addo Elephant National Park
  • Kruger National Park
  • The Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park

As announced by SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer, Luthando Dziba, the week-long campaign will be applicable to all the National Parks managed by SANParks, with the exclusion of the Boulders section at Table Mountain National Park (Boulders Beach & its African Penguin Colony) as well as accommodation facilities and tourist activities.

Total Energies and First National Bank (FNB) are official partners, helping SANParks achieve its vision to create a sustainable National Park System that connects society. The purpose of this amazing initiative is to familiarize and create awareness of the National Parks that exist in South Africa and foster a greater understanding of environmental conservation amongst South African citizens as well as cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage.

“The week is meant to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage and a deeper appreciation of biodiversity. It is important for South Africans to visit and know the importance of national parks.” – SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer, Luthando Dziba

Luthando Dziba further emphasized the growing need and importance for all National Parks to be relevant and accessible to everyone, particularly to the young people and communities living adjacent to these parks.

“Through our Socio-Economic Transformation programmes and our Expanded Public Works Programme, we work closely with communities living adjacent to national parks in a quest to be more inclusive in our management of protected areas. This inclusivity encompasses providing access to parks for cultural use as well as exposing young people to the different career options in conservation and tourism.”- SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer, Luthando Dziba

The SANParks Free Access Week celebration usually takes place during September (tourism month) but due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and concerns regarding the number of COVID-19 cases across the country, SANParks has moved the event to November with the hope that it will allow more people who ordinarily could not afford to visit the Kruger National Park, as well as all its other National Parks, to do so safely.

“SANParks is postponing the free access week which is traditionally held in September, to November due to concerns regarding the number of COVID-19 cases across the country. The safety of both guests and staff is of utmost priority and we, therefore, have to ensure that we are in a position to effectively implement the COVID-19 visitor management procedures in all our parks at all times.” – SANParks’ General Manager: Media, PR and Stakeholder Relations, Rey Thakhuli

Since the programme started in 2006, some 591 234 South Africans have been afforded the opportunity to enter National Parks free of charge. Every year SANParks aims to increase the number of citizens that are granted free access to its incredible range of National Parks. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of free access guests that the various National Parks are able to cater for will be highly subject to gate quotas. Extra visitor management procedures will also be in place to manage visitor volumes.

The Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park Gareth Coleman reiterated his excitement to welcome South African citizens to the Kruger National Park, while highlighting the importance of adhering to COVID-19 protocols and regulations including sanitizing, wearing of face masks, and observing social distancing.

Conditions for free entry into Kruger National Park

  • All South Africans must produce a valid SA ID to enter for free during South African National Parks Week. No electronic copies of IDs will be accepted.
  • Only children below the age of 16 gain entry without proof of identity.
  • Groups regarded as commercial ventures: private open safari vehicles operators, tourists who come to the Park on tour buses and overnight visitors are not included in this free access arrangement.
  • It should be noted that free access to parks does not include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities.
  • All members of the public visiting the Kruger National Park and other National Parks are requested to adhere to all the COVID-19 protocols and regulations including sanitizing, wearing of face masks, and observing social distancing.
  • Due to COVID-19, all the parks will be operating under capacity constraints, and a first come – first serve basis principle will apply. Daily quotas will be implemented in all National Parks.

Click here for more information regarding SANParks 2021 South African National Parks Week. Visit the SANParks website for more information about the Kruger National Park.

Top attractions & experiences

Visit Kruger National Park during SANParks Week

  • The Big Five: Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino.
  • The Little Five: Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle.
  • Birding Big Six: Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Lappet- faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-bill Stork.
  • Five Trees: Baobab, Fever Tree, Knob Thorn, Marula, Mopane.
  • Natural/Cultural Features: Letaba Elephant Museum, Jock of the Bushveld Route, Albasini Ruins, Masorini Ruins, Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library, Thulamela.

Available activities

Visit Kruger National Park during SANParks Week

  • Self-drives & game drives
  • Wilderness trails
  • Guided Walks
  • 4×4 Trails
  • Mountain biking
  • Eco Trails
  • Wildlife sightings
  • Bird watching

“SANParks and their employees proudly look after National Parks for the people of our country and the world. During SA National Parks Week we encourage all South Africans; in particular those from communities that border the Park and may never have an opportunity to visit to make a turn and come and see for themselves. This is why during the SA National Parks Week we offer free access to all the citizens of South Africa. We would like to make the public aware however that entries are limited. Because we are a conservation area we must observe the normal daily quota for visitors at the gates so people must arrive early. Quotas still apply during that week and entry will be given on a first come first served basis.” – Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park Gareth Coleman

Visit the SANParks website for more information.

Issued by:
South African National Parks – Kruger National Park

To find out more about the Kruger National Park and all the reasons why you should go on a Kruger Park Safari check out our blog!

 

National Parks included in SANParks Week

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