As Heritage Day approaches, South Africans have a compelling incentive to immerse themselves in the natural wonders of Cape Town and other scenic corners of the country. From the 16th to the 24th of September, citizens will enjoy complimentary admission to the national parks, courtesy of an announcement made by Barbara Creecy, the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment.
SA National Parks Week, a yearly event that has been a tradition since 2006, has gained momentum as an opportunity to foster a deeper connection between South Africans and their country’s remarkable national parks. The primary objective is to introduce these protected areas’ magnificence and ecological diversity to all segments of society, especially those communities that may not have had the chance to explore and appreciate these hubs of conservation, cultural heritage, and biological richness right in their neighbourhoods.
Minister Creecy expressed her enthusiasm during the launch event, stating, “National Parks Week is an ideal opportunity for us to introduce the majesty and beauty of the country’s national parks to the people, especially to communities who seldom get to experience and enjoy these areas of conservation, cultural heritage and biological diversity, right on their doorstep.”
To benefit from this special offering, South Africans will need to present their identification documents for free entry, though children under 16 years of age will be exempt from this requirement. It’s essential to note that while free access to the parks is a generous gesture, certain commercial activities within the parks, such as safaris and guided walks, are not included in this complimentary access.
Over 600,000 South Africans, who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to visit these national parks, now have access thanks to this initiative. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the Boulders Penguin Colony, the Table Mountain National Park Cableway, and the Namaqua National Park in the Northern Cape are not part of the free access program for National Parks Week. So, visitors planning to explore these attractions will need to make separate arrangements.
Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash