Picture: South African National Parks
South Africans will have another opportunity to experience the country’s wildlife, landscapes and protected areas without paying an entrance fee when the 21st annual SA National Parks Week takes place from 7 to 13 September. The annual initiative, hosted by South African National Parks (SANParks), opens the gates of participating national parks to South African day visitors at no charge, giving families, communities, schools, nature lovers and first-time visitors an opportunity to spend time in some of the country’s most treasured natural spaces.
The initiative is intended to make national parks more accessible while encouraging the public to develop a greater appreciation for conservation and the important role protected areas play in safeguarding South Africa’s natural heritage. Since its introduction in 2006, SA National Parks Week has grown into one of SANParks’ flagship public awareness initiatives, attracting hundreds of thousands of day visitors over the years. In 2025 alone, more than 105,000 visitors made use of the free-access opportunity, highlighting the continued interest among South Africans in exploring the country’s national parks.
Visitors should, however, take note that the free-access period differs at some of the country’s most popular parks. Kruger National Park, West Coast National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park will offer free access from Monday, 7 September until Friday, 11 September, meaning the free-entry offer will not apply over the weekend. Namaqua National Park, the Boulders Penguin Colony section of Table Mountain National Park and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are also excluded from this year’s free-access initiative.
South Africans who wish to take advantage of the offer will need to present their identity documents when entering participating parks, while children under the age of 18 will not be required to provide identification. The free access is limited to day visits and does not include accommodation, guided activities, game drives or other tourism experiences, which will continue to be charged at their normal rates. SANParks has also warned that individual parks may have different entry requirements and visitor limits, so visitors are encouraged to check the arrangements for their chosen park before making their travel plans.
With the annual campaign once again opening the doors to participating parks, SANParks is encouraging South Africans to use the opportunity to discover the country’s natural environment and learn more about the conservation work taking place across its protected areas. Details on participating parks, specific dates and visitor arrangements are available on the SANParks SA National Parks Week 2026 page.
