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Free day entry for South African citizens to the national parks in what is known as the Frontier Region of South African National Parks (SANParks) kicks off on Monday 22 September. These are Addo Elephant, Camdeboo, Karoo and Mountain Zebra National Parks.

Addo Elephant National Park will only extend the free entry to include Saturday 27 September, while the other three parks will continue until Sunday 28 September. Visitors over the age of 16 years are reminded to bring their valid ID documents along to qualify for the free entry. This will give them access to explore the Parks at their leisure. Please take special note that this does not include free access to accommodation facilities and other paid-for tourist activities.

During this week all Parks have invited and planned special programmes for nearby schools and community groups.

Things to do in Addo Elephant National Park

• With its closest entrance gate at Colchester only 30 minutes outside Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), a self-drive game drive allows guests to explore the entire game viewing area of the park at their leisure, with a pit stop at Jack’s Picnic Site a must. This fenced[1]in area is the perfect spot for a picnic or braai, about halfway towards Main Camp.
• At Main Camp visitors can explore the underground and bird hides, walk the PPC Discovery Trail and visit the Ulwazi Interpretive Centre for interesting, interactive displays about the park and its history.
• For those preferring to explore on foot, walking and hiking trails are available in the Zuurberg and Woody Cape sections.
• In addition, guests will be treated to some cultural entertainment by local traditional artists on Wednesday 24 and Saturday 27 September.

Fill your day at Camdeboo National Park

• This Park, which surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet, is home to the world-famous Valley of Desolation.
• Visitors can choose to participate in one of the many walking trails or spend time at one of the picnic sites, along the banks of the Nqweba Dam or at the bird hide.
• Day visitors may also enjoy a leisurely self-drive through the park for bird and game viewing, making the most of its sights and sounds along the way or venture further on a 4×4 trail.

What to do in Karoo National Park

• The 200m fossil trail at this park outside Beaufort West is a must-see. This wheelchair accessible trail showcases the geology and the palaeontology of the karoo and uses genuine fossils and petrified wood in the displays.
• A scenic, self-game drive is a great way to experience the Park, while the 4×4 trails allow participants to delve even further into the expanses of Karoo National Park.
• Visitors may want to pack a picnic basket or braai goodies and enjoy the facilities at the Doornhoek and/or Bulkraal picnic sites, as well as the swimming pool at Bulkraal if the weather permits.
• The Ou Schuur Interpretive Centre with its lush garden can also not be missed, which gives visitors an insight into the Park’s interesting history, culture and ecology.

Explore Mountain Zebra National Park

• A self-drive game drive at this park outside the town of Nxuba (previously Cradock) is almost guaranteed to provide some memorable animal sightings! Keen birders will also not be disappointed, with over 250 species to look out for.
• There are walking trails inside the fenced-in rest camp and for the more adventurous, various 4×4 trails.
• If the weather allows a stop at one of the swimming pools and picnic sites has to be included.

SA National Parks Week has proved to be a successful campaign that provides education and awareness about South Africa’s inclusive approach to conservation. Whilst offering an opportunity to experience South Africa’s rich natural and cultural heritage, attention is also drawn to the sustainable development practices made possible through partnerships with key role players like communities living adjacent to national parks, businesses, scientists and tourists.