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Register a Research Proposal

Prospective external researchers are required to submit research proposals outlining research questions, methods, anticipated study period, as well as requirements for support from SANParks.

Each research proposal will be evaluated by an internal research committee in terms of its logistics and possible risks to the environment or to the quality of visitor experiences in national parks. If the proposal involves handling of animals, it will be referred to the SANParks Animal Use and Care Committee. Projects may be rejected if they are incompatible with the environment, visitor experiences, or with ethical treatment of animals, if they are deemed unfeasible, or if SANParks does not have the capacity to meet the requirements of the project.

If the proposal is accepted, researchers undertake to provide SANParks with reports on the outcomes of the project as well as copies of data and publications.

Submit a Research Proposal

Researchers are encouraged to share their results and where possible their data via the SANParks Data Repository.


Submission Deadlines

Deadlines for submission of proposals in 2025 are as follows:

  • 24 January 2025
  • 25 April 2025
  • 18 July 2025
  • 17 October 2025

Additional Information for Prospective External Researchers

Reporting Requirements

Researchers are required to submit reports on the outcomes of their projects to SANParks.

Data and Publication Sharing

Researchers are encouraged to share their results and, where possible, their data via the SANParks Data Repository.

Usage of Drones

If researchers intend to use drones, the following regulations and requirements apply:

The drone operator must comply with the Civil Aviation Act and SA-CATS 101 regulations pertaining to the use of drones.

According to SANParks protocol, the following is required:

  1. Registered RPAS (drone)
  2. RPL – RPAS Pilot Licence (for the pilot)
  3. ASL – Air Services Licence (from the Department of Transport)
  4. RLA – RPAS letter of Approval (for each drone)
  5. ROC – Remote Operator Certificate (approved ops manual)
  6. ATF Certificate
  7. Company Letter (attach a previous example)
  8. Radio telephony
  9. Medical of pilot
  10. Proof of Insurance

Researchers must highlight these requirements in their application. All necessary forms, together with a SANParks RPA application form to fly a RPAS in a National Park, should be sent to the SANParks Air Wing (David Simelane: [email protected], the SANParks Chief Pilot) and to the science liaison officer / node administrator for the relevant node.

Ethics Approval

If any handling of animals (vertebrates and higher-order invertebrates such as cephalopoda and decapoda) is required, approval from SANParks’ AUCC committee needs to be obtained by completing and submitting an Application Form for Approval to use Animals for Scientific Purposes to SANParks Veterinary Wildlife services ([email protected]) as well as to the science liaison officer / node administrator.

For Social Science research projects (including Tourism and Marketing), ethical clearance from the research institution’s relevant structures to conduct such social research must be provided to SANParks. The researcher must also comply with the SANParks Statement of Ethical Practice for Social Science Research.


Node Administrators

Each research node oversees the research and monitoring conducted in its complement of parks, working closely with the park managers to guide management strategies and actions.

Arid Research Unit

  • |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
  • Augrabies Falls National Park
  • Kalahari Gemsbok National Park
  • Mokala National Park

Samantha Mabuza

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +27 (0)13 735 4254

Cape Research Centre

  • Agulhas National Park
  • Bontebok National Park
  • Namaqua National Park
  • Table Mountain National Park
  • Tankwa Karoo National Park
  • West Coast National Park

Debbi Winterton

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +27 (0)21 713 7519

Garden Route & Frontier Research Unit

  • Addo Elephant National Park
  • Camdeboo National Park
  • Garden Route National Park (Wilderness, Knysna, Tsitsikamma)
  • Karoo National Park
  • Meerkat National Park
  • Mountain Zebra National Park

Nerina Kruger

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +27 (0)44 343 1302

Savanna Research Unit

  • Golden Gate Highlands National Park
  • Kruger National Park
  • Mapungubwe National Park
  • Marakele National Park

Samantha Mabuza

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +27 (0)13 735 4254