South Africa: North West Parks Board (NWPB) reopens its Nature Reserves for intra-provincial overnight visitors! [update]

update (17 August 2020): NWPB's Nature Reserves in the North West Province will be open for interprovincial travel from 18 August 2020!

Following the announcement made by the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane on the easing of regulations for alert level 3 lockdown, the North West Parks Board (NWPB), the governmental organisation responsible for the management of protected areas and public nature reserves in South Africa's North West Province, has announced the reopening of its Nature Reserves for intra-provincial overnight visitors. Camping is still not allowed in NWPB's Nature Reserves except the bush camp facilities in Botsalano Nature Reserve where single groups/families will be allowed at these facilities.

• Guided open game drives will only be allowed if the number of guests in a game drive vehicle do not exceed 70%, and adequate social distancing is apply.
• Visitors will be allowed to use picnic areas for recreational use, i.e. seating, food preparation, relaxing, etc.
• To minimize the risk for infection, only single groups will be allowed at one stand/braai area, and groups must be from the same family.
• Visitors to such facilities must know other visitors are also using these facilities, and surfaces and seating places must be cleaned / sanitizes before such picnic areas are occupied.
• Visitors must bring along their own sanitizing bottles as prescribe in the regulations (at least 70% alcohol).
• Where communal ablutions will be used, like with ablutions elsewhere in the reserves, visitors must apply social distance, sanitize before and after using such ablutions, and ensure masks are worn at all times.
• Selfdrive excursion will only be allowed for private vehicles that comply with the directions issued by South Africa's Minister of Transport in respect of private vehicles.
  

The following Nature Reserves in the North West Province are ready and open to provide different accommodation and conference facilities:

1. Botsalano Nature Reserve
2. Mafikeng Nature Reserve
3. Molemane Eye Nature Reserve
4. Barberspan Bird Sanctuary
5. Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve
6. Wolwespruit Nature Reserve
7. Bloemhofdam Nature Reserve
8. Molopo Nature Reserve
9. Kgaswane Mountain Reserve
10. Pilanesberg Nature Rreserve
11. Borakalalo Nature Reserve
12. Madikwe Game Reserve