SANParks announced last month that the annual free parks week would take place in November 2021; the dates for the week have officially been announced.
South Africa (28 October 2021) – The inaugural South African National Parks Week took place in 2006. It was aimed at linking the South African national parks system to the global, national movement and showcasing the best of South Africa’s national parks.
Each year since the SANParks group has opened its doors free of charge to people wanting to see the world’s natural wonders. This year the week is set to take place in November. It was postponed due to Covid.
“SA National Parks Week is an annual campaign that gives all South African citizens the opportunity to enter most of the parks managed by SANParks for free, with the exclusion of Boulders section at Table Mountain National Park as well as accommodation facilities and tourist activities.
“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.” – Luthando Dziba, SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer
The week will run from the 22nd to the 28th of November 2021. The free access will only be valid until Friday, 26 November, at the following national parks – Addo, Kgalagadi, Kruger, and the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park.
There is a growing need for national parks to be relevant, particularly to young people and communities living adjacent to 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.”
Since the programme started in 2006, some 591 234 South Africans have been afforded the opportunity to enter national parks. Every year SANParks aims to increase the number of citizens that are granted free access to national parks; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of free access guests that the parks are able to cater to will be subject to gate quotas and extra visitor management procedures will be in place to manage visitor volumes.
Visit a national park this year for free during SA National Parks Week to see what it has to offer and do your part by getting to know your national parks.
Visit the website for more information: www.sanparks.org/about/events/parks_week.
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