MALALANE – The South African National Parks (SANParks) has declared this year’s SANParks Week as a roaring success, recoding 39 026 day visitors.
This is a 28,8 per cent increase from last year’s 30 309 visitors.
SANParks’ acting head of communications,
Mr Reynold Thakhuli says, “The increase seen this year can be attributed to SANParks programmes designed to connect with the broader South African society and living its vision of connecting to society,” Thakhuli said.
He said since its inception in 2006, National Parks Week has seen an influx of more than 133 000 day visitors in all participating parks.
“The concept, which grants free access to all national parks, was established in a bid to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage, protected by the national parks system.
“These numbers are encouraging and tell us that more people are taking advantage of this initiative,” said Thakhuli.
All the parks managed by SANParks excluding Namaqua and Boulders at Table Mountain National Park participated to give the public an understanding of the role that SANParks plays as custodian of the country’s natural heritage.
Thakhuli added, “Since 2006 each of the regions has seen an influx of day visitors. The Cape region, Agulhas, Bontebok, Table Mountain, Tankwa and West Coast National Parks has had 39 421 day visitors, with
21 137 visiting this year. The Frontier Region – Addo Elephant, Camdeboo, Karoo, and Mountain Zebra – had 12 620 day visitors with
2 216 people visiting this year.
“The Arid Region, – Augrabies, Kgalagadi, Mokala and Richtersveld – had 4 767 day visitors and 687 in 2013. The Northern Region – Mapungubwe, Marakele and Golden Gate Highlands – welcomed
6 772 day visitors with 661 this year.
“The Garden Route – Knysna, Tsitsikamma and Wilderness – had a total of 5 796 day visitors with 1 135 this year.
“The iconic Kruger National Park had
13 327 day visitors this year with a total of 64 296 since inception of the initiative.”
Thakhuli said,
“The survival of the South African national parks system and our natural and cultural heritage lies with the people of South Africa.
“If we do not give South Africans an opportunity to experience the beauty of their country we are doomed to failure.”
