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South African National Parks is participating in Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 using the global tourism platform to reflect on a century of conservation leadership while actively shaping the future of inclusive, sustainable tourism in conservation.

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal | 11–15 May 2026 — South African National Parks (SANParks) participation at this year’s Indaba is anchored on the theme “Our Heritage, Our Future”, aligning with the centenary of the Kruger National Park — one of Africa’s most iconic conservation landscapes — and marking a once-in-a-century milestone in South Africa’s conservation history. The centenary commemorates 100 years since Kruger’s formal proclamation as a national park, alongside more than a century of evolving conservation practice rooted in the establishment of the Sabi Game Reserve in 1898.

“Our Heritage, Our Future” encapsulates SANParks’ commitment to honouring all aspects of the rich natural and cultural legacy of South Africa’s protected areas while pioneering forward-thinking approaches to conservation and tourism. “Our Heritage,” honours 100 years of inspirational leadership in conservation, biodiversity, tourism, and hospitality whilst embracing lessons learned through misfortunes caused by land dispossession, displacements and exclusion. “Our Future” signals responsibility, continuity, and safeguarding value for generations to come.

Speaking at the event, SANParks CEO, Ms Hapiloe Sello emphasised the fact that Africa’s Travel Indaba provides a powerful continental and global platform to position national parks not only as tourism destinations, but as offerings that contribute meaningfully to nature, community development, cultural heritage, and economic inclusion. “Kruger National Park’s centenary is both a moment of commemoration and reflection,” said Sello. “It honours extraordinary conservation achievements, while also acknowledging lessons learned from the painful past of land dispossession and displacements. And now as we look ahead, our focus is firmly on inclusive conservation models that ensure national parks deliver lasting value for both nature and people.”

Conversations About Conservation

As part of its Indaba programme, SANParks will once again host its flagship Conversations About Conservation dialogue which is growing each year as a platform that ensures improved understanding about the contribution of conservation to South Africa’s tourism economy. This year’s discussion will reflect on the centenary of Kruger National Park. It will reflect on lessons learned that must shape the future. In so doing, explore how conservation, tourism, science, and community partnership must work together to ensure resilience over the next century.

The dialogue will bring together conservation leaders, tourism stakeholders, media, and partners to engage openly on the role of tourism in funding conservation, creating employment, and supporting inclusive growth in and around protected areas.

Showcasing destination excellence and community enterprise

Throughout the five-day event, SANParks will activate a prominently branded exhibition stand, with half of the space dedicated to Kruger National Park’s centenary. The stand will profile the diversity of SANParks’ tourism offerings across its network of 21 national parks, while highlighting innovation, transformation, and evolving visitor experiences.

Illustrating the organisation’s intentional investment into a future of inclusivity, a dedicated Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) Support Stand will showcase 16 SANParks-supported enterprises operating across the ecotourism value chain. These enterprises, drawn from communities adjacent to national parks, represent SANParks’ ongoing commitment to build an inclusive conservation economy in line with Vision 2040.

The supported enterprises span accommodation, tour guiding, cultural heritage, adventure tourism, wildlife economy projects, crafts, and hospitality, with strong representation by women-owned, youth-owned, and community-owned businesses. SANParks will facilitate market access, visibility, and networking opportunities for these enterprises with local and international buyers and investors during the Indaba.

Through its presence at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026, SANParks aims to reinforce its position as a leading conservation and tourism authority, demonstrating the economic and social value of national parks by inviting the global tourism community to be partners in shaping the next century of conservation.