SANParks announces free entry dates for National Parks Week 2026

South Africans will receive free day access to participating national parks during SA National Parks Week in September.

The 21st annual campaign will run from 7 to 13 September 2026, although free access at selected parks will end on 11 September.

“This highly anticipated South African National Parks (SANParks) 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 said.

Free entry dates for participating parks

Kruger National Park, West Coast National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park will offer free access from Monday, 7 September to Friday, 11 September only.

Free entry at these three parks excludes the weekend.

Visitors should check the official SANParks schedule for each park’s dates and entry conditions.

Parks and attractions excluded from free entry

The following locations are excluded from SA National Parks Week:

• Namaqua National Park
• Boulders Penguin Colony section of Table Mountain National Park
• Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

What visitors need to bring

South African adults must present an identity document to qualify for free entry.

Children under 18 do not need to provide identification.

“To qualify for free access, South Africans must present their identity documents, whilst children below the age of 18 will not be required to provide identification,” SANParks said.

Individual parks have different entry conditions and visitor limits. Visitors should check these requirements before travelling.

What the free access includes

Free access applies to day visitors and covers park entry only.

Normal fees still apply to:

• Accommodation
• Guided activities
• Game drives
• Other tourism activities

“The free access does not include accommodation, guided activities, game drives or other tourist activities as these carry their normal fees. Individual parks may also have different entry conditions and visitor limits,” SANParks said.

More than 105 000 people visited in 2025

SA National Parks Week started in 2006 and has become one of SANParks’ main public awareness initiatives.

The campaign attracts hundreds of thousands of day visitors and promotes public appreciation of South Africa’s national parks and their role in conservation.

More than 105 000 visitors used the free-access initiative in 2025.

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