South Africans are being encouraged to celebrate the country’s rich natural heritage by taking advantage of free entry to participating national parks during the 21st annual South African National Parks (SANParks) Week, taking place from 7 to 10 September 2026.
The annual initiative allows South African day visitors to enter participating national parks at no cost, giving families, schools, community groups, nature enthusiasts and first-time visitors an opportunity to experience some of the country’s most spectacular conservation areas.
SANParks has announced that Kruger National Park, West Coast National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park will extend their free-access period from Monday, 7 September, to Friday, 11 September 2026, excluding the weekend.
However, Namaqua National Park, the Boulders Penguin Colony Section of Table Mountain National Park, and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway will not form part of this year’s free access programme.
To qualify for free entry, South African visitors must present a valid South African identity document at the park entrance.
Children are also required to provide valid identification. While entry is free, visitors will still be required to pay the normal fees for accommodation, guided walks, game drives and other tourism activities.
SANParks has also reminded visitors that entry conditions and daily visitor limits may differ from one park to another. Members of the public are encouraged to check the specific requirements of the park they plan to visit before travelling.
Since its launch in 2006, SA National Parks Week has grown into one of SANParks’ flagship public awareness campaigns, helping hundreds of thousands of South Africans connect with the country’s protected natural areas while promoting environmental conservation.
The initiative continues to attract strong public support, with more than 105,000 visitors taking advantage of the free-access programme during the 2025 campaign.
For the full list of participating parks, free-access dates and visitor information, visit the SANPark website.
