SANParks announced that its annual SA National Parks Week will run from November 22 to 28.

During this week, visitors can enjoy free access to most of the parks that are run by SANParks, including the Kruger National Park (KNP).

This year, the campaign will be run for the 16th time with Total Engergies and FNB.

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“SA National Parks Week is an annual campaign that gives all South African citizens the opportunity to enter most of the parks managed by SANParks for free, with the exclusion of Boulders section at Table Mountain National Park as well as accommodation facilities and tourist activities,” said Luthando Dziba, the acting CEO of SANParks.

Since the programme started in 2006, some 591 234 South Africans had the opportunity to enter these national parks.

“Every year, SANParks aims to increase the number of citizens that are granted free access to national parks. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of free access guests that the parks are able to cater for will be subject to gate quotas and extra visitor management procedures will be in place to manage visitor volumes,” read a statement by SANParks.

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Dziba said the week is meant to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage, and a deeper appreciation of biodiversity.

“It is important for South Africans to visit and know the importance of national parks. There is a growing need for national parks to be relevant, particularly to young people and communities living adjacent to parks.”

Free access at the KNP will be valid from November 22 to 26. For more information about the dates for other parks, visit www.sanparks.org/about/events/parks_week.