South Africans can visit participating national parks without paying day entry fees during SA National Parks Week 2026, which runs from 7 to 13 September. The annual SANParks initiative is open to South African day visitors who present valid identification at participating parks, giving Gauteng residents an opportunity to plan affordable nature trips during the week.
The free access applies to day entry only. Accommodation, game drives, guided activities and other paid tourism experiences remain subject to their normal fees, while some parks have different participation dates and exclusions.
National Parks Week is already underway
The 2026 programme is the 21st annual SA National Parks Week, according to South African National Parks.
The initiative started on Monday, 7 September and continues until Sunday, 13 September at most participating parks.
SANParks said the programme is intended to give South Africans greater access to the country’s protected natural areas and encourage public appreciation of national parks and conservation.
More than 105 000 visitors made use of the free access initiative in 2025, according to SANParks.
For Gauteng residents considering a trip, several participating parks are within the broader northern region, including Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Mapungubwe National Park and Marakele National Park.
What you need to enter for free
South African visitors must present valid identification at the gate to qualify for free day entry.
Children must also have valid identification.
Visitors should not assume that everything inside a participating park becomes free during National Parks Week.
According to SANParks, the free access does not cover:
- Accommodation
- Guided activities
- Game drives
- Other tourism activities that normally carry additional charges
Individual parks may also impose their own visitor limits and entry conditions. Visitors should therefore check the conditions for their chosen park before travelling.
Which national parks are free from 7 to 13 September?
Most participating parks are offering free day access throughout the main National Parks Week period.
According to the official SANParks schedule, the participating parks include:
Cape Region
Agulhas National Park is participating from 7 to 13 September.
Bontebok National Park is participating from 7 to 13 September.
Table Mountain National Park is participating from 7 to 13 September, although the Boulders Penguin Colony section and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are excluded.
Tankwa Karoo National Park is participating from 7 to 13 September.
Frontier Region
Addo Elephant National Park, Camdeboo National Park, Karoo National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park are participating from 7 to 13 September.
Garden Route Region
Garden Route National Park is participating from 7 to 13 September.
Northern Region
Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Mapungubwe National Park and Marakele National Park are participating from 7 to 13 September.
Arid Region
The participating parks include |Ai|Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Mokala National Park, with free access from 7 to 13 September.
Some parks have shorter free access periods
Not every participating park is offering free entry for the full seven days.
Kruger National Park is offering free day entry from 7 to 11 September, meaning its National Parks Week free access does not extend into the weekend.
The same applies to West Coast National Park, where free entry runs from 7 to 11 September because the park is in its active flower season.
Augrabies Falls National Park is also participating from 7 to 11 September.
SANParks confirmed that these three parks are excluded from the weekend portion of the initiative.
Some attractions are excluded
There are also important exclusions that visitors should know before setting out.
Namaqua National Park is not included in the free access programme this year.
At Table Mountain National Park, free access does not include the Boulders Penguin Colony section.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is also excluded.
Visitors planning trips around these attractions should therefore check the applicable entrance or activity costs separately.
Gauteng residents can consider nearby park options
While Gauteng does not have one of the national parks listed in the SANParks National Parks Week schedule, residents can use the initiative to explore participating parks in neighbouring provinces.
One option is Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, which is participating for the full period from 7 to 13 September.
Marakele National Park in Limpopo is another participating option for Gauteng travellers.
Further north, Mapungubwe National Park is also offering free day access for the full week.
Residents planning to travel outside Gauteng should still factor transport, fuel, meals and any accommodation into their budgets because National Parks Week only removes the applicable day entry charge.
Kruger free entry ends before the weekend
Gauteng residents planning a Kruger National Park trip need to pay particular attention to the dates.
Free access at Kruger runs only until Friday, 11 September 2026.
Visitors arriving on Saturday or Sunday should therefore not expect the National Parks Week free entry arrangement to apply.
SANParks officially launched this year’s National Parks Week alongside activities at Kruger on 7 September. Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister David Maynier marked the start of the initiative while visiting infrastructure projects at the park.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng residents, SA National Parks Week creates an opportunity to visit participating national parks without paying the normal day entry fee.
The biggest saving applies specifically to entry. Travellers still need to budget for fuel, transport, food, accommodation where necessary and any paid activities they choose to book.
Residents planning a trip should also consider distance. Parks such as Golden Gate Highlands and Marakele may be more practical options for travellers leaving Gauteng than parks situated further across the country.
Most importantly, visitors should check the official SANParks information for their chosen park before departure because participation dates, visitor limits and entry conditions can differ.
National Parks Week dates at a glance
For residents planning a visit, the key dates are:
- Main National Parks Week: 7 to 13 September 2026
- Kruger National Park: 7 to 11 September
- West Coast National Park: 7 to 11 September
- Augrabies Falls National Park: 7 to 11 September
- Most other participating parks: 7 to 13 September
Visitors need valid South African identification to qualify for free entry. Children must also present valid identification.
The full participating park schedule and conditions are available from SANParks National Parks Week 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is SA National Parks Week 2026?
SA National Parks Week runs from 7 to 13 September 2026. Some participating parks have shorter free access periods.
Do South Africans enter national parks completely free?
Eligible South African day visitors receive free entry at participating parks during the applicable dates. Accommodation, guided activities, game drives and other paid tourism activities are not included.
Do I need an ID for National Parks Week?
Yes. South African visitors must present identification to qualify for free access. Children must also present valid identification at the gate.
Is Kruger National Park free for the entire week?
No. Kruger’s free access runs from 7 to 11 September 2026 and does not extend to the weekend.
Is Table Mountain National Park included?
Yes, Table Mountain National Park participates from 7 to 13 September, but the Boulders Penguin Colony section and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are excluded from the free access offer.
Free access continues until Sunday at most participating parks
With SA National Parks Week already underway, South Africans have until 13 September 2026 to use the free day entry programme at most participating parks.
Gauteng residents considering a visit should confirm their chosen park’s dates and conditions, carry valid identification and remember that accommodation and paid activities are not covered by the initiative.
For Kruger, West Coast and Augrabies Falls national parks, the free access period ends earlier on Friday, 11 September.
