News

Subsequent to previous complaints and concerns from boat and vessel owners comparing the application of vessel permits in West Coast National Park and the Garden Route National Park, the Garden Route National Park adjusted its permit tariffs structure with those of the West Coast National Park. This is a once-off annual adjustment increase and from November 2015, increases will be based on the consumer price index.

The categories depicted in the old brochure were adjusted to new ones that align with the West Coast National Park.

A single permit provides access to all water bodies in the Garden Route National Park (e.g. Swartvlei, Knysna estuary, Natures Valley estuary, etc.)

For boat and vessel permits

The GRNP was guided by Section 23 of the Regulations for the Proper Administration of the Knysna Protected Environment. This is a clause in the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (2003). It stipulates that no person may keep or operate any vessel in the water area without:

(a) A vessel permit issued by the management authority or delegated agent;

(b) Payment of the necessary fees; and

(c) Where necessary, being in possession of a:

(i) Certificate of competence; and

(ii) Certificate of fitness, issued in terms of the National Small Vessel Safety Regulations, 2007.

The clause further stipulates that the management authority (in this case, SANParks) may, when issuing a vessel permit, limit the use of or the conduct of an activity by a specific category or type of vessel if it has reason to believe that such use or conduct of an activity may be a source of pollution; or cause a detrimental ecological or environmental impact, in the water area; or will be a nuisance, pose a danger to persons using it; or the public or sections of the public; increase the number of vessels in the water area above the number of vessels deemed appropriate by the management authority.

Pensioners

SANParks offers discounts on normal tariffs to persons who are 60 and above provided the reservation is made in the name of the qualifying person. Social pensioners are those receiving old age, family and disability allowances as well as blind persons. It should be noted that no discount is offered on conservation fees/entry fees, meals or activities (see terms and conditions here under).

Terms and conditions

• No discount is offered on conservation fees, meals or activities.
• Proof of identification or proof of pension category must be given on arrival.
• If an individual can prove that they have one of the following disabilities; blindness, deafness or are wheelchair bound and receive some sort of welfare pension, they will be considered for the concession and may apply in advance.
• NO claims resulting from failure to produce the necessary documentation will be paid out at a later stage.
• Senior citizen discounts are not available to reservations made through the SANParks online reservations facility.
• Couples are entitled to one unit per visit. The discount will apply to the unit tariff. In the case of additional persons, the full bed tariff will be applicable if that person does not qualify for the concession.
• The discount in respect of camping, applies to the basic tariff as well as the per person tariff for those who qualify.
• NO claims resulting from failure to produce the necessary documentation will be paid out at a later stage.

Pensioner discounts in the GRNP (applicable in the Tsitsikamma and Wilderness sections of the Park): http://www.sanparks.org/docs/tourism_tariffs/pensioner_discount2015.pdf

The Wild Card was developed to encourage local travelers to visit other National Parks and nature reserves by providing free entry. It cannot be used to pay for activities, accommodation and meals.