South Africa | Local News | Tourism & Conservation
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that South Africans will once again be able to visit participating national parks free of charge during SA National Parks Week in September 2026, with some parks offering free access for the full week and others limiting access to weekdays only.
The 21st annual SA National Parks Week will take place from Monday, 7 September 2026, to Sunday, 13 September 2026, giving South African day visitors an opportunity to explore some of the country’s most iconic conservation areas without paying standard conservation entrance fees. The initiative forms part of SANParks’ efforts to encourage public participation in conservation and to provide greater access to South Africa’s protected natural heritage.
According to SANParks, the programme has become one of its flagship public awareness campaigns since it was first introduced in 2006. The organisation says the initiative helps South Africans connect with national parks while promoting environmental education and conservation awareness. In 2025 alone, more than 105,000 visitors took advantage of the free-access opportunity.
To qualify for free entry, visitors must be South African citizens and present a valid South African identity document at participating parks. Children under the age of 18 do not need to provide identification. The free-access offer applies only to day visitors and does not include accommodation, guided walks, game drives, tourist activities or any other paid attractions within the parks. Those services will continue to be charged at normal rates.
Several of the country’s most popular parks will participate for the full seven-day period. These include Addo Elephant National Park, Garden Route National Park, Agulhas National Park, Bontebok National Park, Camdeboo National Park, Karoo National Park, Mountain Zebra National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mokala National Park and Tankwa Karoo National Park. Visitors to these parks can enjoy free day access from 7 September to 13 September 2026.
However, SANParks has confirmed that several parks will operate under different arrangements. Kruger National Park, one of South Africa’s most visited tourist attractions, will offer free access only from Monday, 7 September, to Friday, 11 September 2026, excluding the weekend. The same restriction applies to West Coast National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park. SANParks said West Coast National Park’s shortened access period is linked to the busy spring flower season.
Other parks with weekday-only access include Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Mapungubwe National Park and Marakele National Park, all of which will offer free access from 7–11 September 2026.
Not every SANParks attraction is included in the initiative. SANParks has confirmed that Namaqua National Park is excluded from the programme. The Boulders Penguin Colony section of Table Mountain National Park and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are also excluded and will continue to charge normal entry fees.
The annual campaign is regarded as one of the most successful public conservation initiatives in South Africa. Beyond encouraging tourism, SANParks says the programme aims to give families, schools, community groups and first-time visitors an opportunity to experience protected areas that they may not ordinarily visit. Conservation experts have long argued that public access to parks helps build support for biodiversity protection and environmental stewardship.
Visitors planning trips during SA National Parks Week are encouraged to check the specific conditions of the park they intend visiting before travelling. SANParks has warned that some parks may implement visitor limits, quota systems or additional entry requirements depending on expected demand and operational considerations.
With spring arriving and warmer weather expected across much of the country, tourism operators anticipate another strong turnout for the annual initiative, particularly at major destinations such as Kruger National Park, Table Mountain National Park and Addo Elephant National Park. The event remains one of the few opportunities each year for South Africans to access many national parks entirely free of charge.
