South African National Parks (SANParks) will launch its 17th annual SA National Parks Week from 11 to 16 September 2022.
An ellie roadblock in Addo Elephant National Park. Picture: Getaway gallery
The week grants free access to most of the 22 national parks for day visitors, especially people from the local communities. It should be noted that free access to parks does not include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities. Some of the parks will be extending the week to include the weekend. For individual park dates and participating parks, visit: sanparks.org/about/events/parks_week
Since its inception in 2006, National Parks Week, under the theme ‘Know Your National Parks’, has seen an influx of over 619 252 day visitors in all participating parks. SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer, Hapiloe Sello says that the idea of a national parks focus week is a worldwide campaign. ‘The week 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. Environmental education and protection is the responsibility of everyone, not just a privileged few,’ said Sello.
‘This initiative aims to give the public an understanding of the role that SANParks plays as custodians of the country’s natural heritage. If we are to create a sense of ownership of the natural heritage of South Africa in all South Africans, then all South Africans must be able to have access to such.’
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