By Zuko Komisa
- The 21st annual SA National Parks Week runs from 7 to 13 September 2026, offering South African day visitors free entry to participating parks.
- Kruger, West Coast, and Augrabies Falls National Parks will restrict free access strictly to weekdays (7–11 September 2026).
- Selected sites including Namaqua National Park, Table Mountain’s Boulders Section, and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are excluded from the campaign.
South African National Parks (SANParks) has unveiled the dates for its 21st annual SA National Parks Week, offering citizens free day access to most of the country’s national parks from 7 to 13 September 2026.
However, visitors planning to explore Kruger, West Coast, or Augrabies Falls National Parks should note that free entry applies strictly to weekdays, ending on Friday 11 September.
Additionally, the initiative excludes Namaqua National Park, the Boulders Penguin Colony at Table Mountain, and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.
“This highly anticipated campaign opens the gates of participating national parks to South African day visitors at no charge, creating an opportunity for families, communities, schools, nature lovers and first-time visitors to experience some of the country’s most spectacular protected areas,” SANParks stated.
To gain entry, South African residents must present a valid identity document at the gate, though children under 18 require no ID.
The complimentary access applies solely to entry fees; accommodation, guided tours, game drives, and special activities remain charged at standard rates, with individual parks enforcing daily visitor limits.
Launched in 2006, the initiative has drawn hundreds of thousands of guests to promote nature conservation, with over 105,000 visitors participating in 2025 alone.
Specific park schedules and entry conditions are available on the official SANParks website.
