News

South African National Parks is opening its parks for free for the 20th annual South African National Parks Week, from 22 to 28 September 2025 (Selected parks will be opening earlier).

This 20th anniversary of SA National Parks Week offers visitors to Golden Gate Highlands, Marakele and Mapungubwe National Parks and World Heritage Site a week of free access to explore the parks. The invitation is extended to families, schools, faith-based groups, social clubs, senior citizens, friends, and nature enthusiasts to share in this nationwide celebration of South Africa’s natural heritage.

The week’s programmes feature competitions, discounts, hiking trails, free guided tours of the interpretation centres (Only available at Golden Gate Highlands National Park) and other activities that the public can participate in. SANParks encourages schools and community organisations to seize this chance to deepen their understanding of conservation in an engaging, accessible way.

Through initiatives such as this, SANParks reaffirms its commitment to making national parks more accessible to communities across the country and advancing community-led conservation by elevating local knowledge and encouraging active participation.

Programme Highlights:

Golden Gate Highlands National Park (21 to 28 September)

• Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre – Please ensure that you make a booking to avoid disappointment. 08:00 – 15:15.
• Visit the Vulture Feeding site at 08:00 – 16:00
• Guided and self-guided hiking trails (Mushroom, Brandwag Buttress, Wodehouse etc.) 08:00 – 16:00.
• Self-guided drives to visit Look Out Points (Loops) 08:00 – 16:00.
• Horse Riding 09:00 – 14:00 (This is a paid for activity and needs to be pre[1]booked).
• Abseiling 09:00 – 15:00 (This is a paid for activity and needs to be pre-booked.)

Marakele National Park (22 to 28 September)

• 50% discount on all game drives (Morning and Sunset) Day drive arrangement can be made at reception.
• Competition: Guests visiting on the 24 September 2025 stand a chance to win a free game drive for a family of 4.
• Selected groups will be driven to the park and treated to drives around the park and Environmental Education Sessions.
• Annual Soccer tournament on the 27 September 2025
• Visitors can access both sections of the park including the famous Lenong viewpoint which is 2088m High above Sea level (Self Drives).

Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site (20 to 28 September)

• Being the centre of the first known African kingdom, which thrived between 900 and 1300 AD it makes provision for a cultural landscape experience through both indoor and outdoor interpretation of its cultural landscape.
• Come view the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, at the point where South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet and explore the whole area with its scenic landscape, sandstone formations, woodlands, riverine forest, and magnificent Baobab trees.
• Visit to Mapungubwe Hill, a crucial archaeological site that represents one of the earliest complex societies in Southern Africa, showcasing advanced trade networks and social structures from around 900 to 1300 AD. This is a paid for activity and needs to be pre-booked.
• Known primarily for its archaeological significance as the site of an ancient African kingdom, Mapungubwe also boasts impressive rock art. The park’s sandstone formations are adorned with paintings that reflect the interactions between the San people and early African civilizations.

Free entry is valid for South African day visitors only, with proof of a valid SA ID. Children under 16 years gain free access without proof of identity. Free access does not include accommodation or commercial activities. For park-specific dates and details, visit: www.sanparks.org/events/sa-national-parks-week-2025