South Africa has officially declared the Grasslands National Park in the Eastern Cape, protecting more than 10,000 hectares of highland grasslands and an important water source area. The new national park, managed by South African National Parks (SANParks), is situated between Nqanqarhu (formerly Maclear) and Rhodes in the Eastern Cape highlands.
The declaration was announced on 09 October 2026, following the publication of Government Gazette No. 55531. The park comprises 18 properties covering a combined area of 10,225.9 hectares.
Where is the Grasslands National Park?
The new park is located in the highlands of the Eastern Cape, between Nqanqarhu and the village of Rhodes, near the southern section of the Drakensberg mountain range.
This is a region of open grasslands, mountain scenery and rural agricultural landscapes. The area is also part of the Eastern Cape Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area, making it important for water security as well as biodiversity conservation.
Why is the new national park important?
The Grasslands National Park aims to protect South Africa's grassland ecosystems, which remain under-represented in the country's protected-area network. These landscapes support biodiversity and play an important role in maintaining water resources.
Unlike some of South Africa's better-known national parks, the new park has been established primarily through a biodiversity stewardship model. Participating landowners retain ownership of their properties while committing to agreed conservation and management arrangements.
Compatible agricultural activities can continue under these arrangements, allowing conservation efforts to coexist with local livelihoods.
The initiative was developed through cooperation between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, SANParks, WWF South Africa and other partners.
What does the new national park mean for travellers?
For travellers exploring South Africa's Eastern Cape highlands, the declaration brings greater recognition to a region known for its mountain landscapes and rural character.
However, the establishment of a national park does not automatically mean that visitors can enter the protected properties. No visitor facilities, public access arrangements, tourism activities or opening dates have been confirmed in the announcement.
Travellers planning a trip to Rhodes or the surrounding highlands should therefore continue to follow existing access arrangements and check with SANParks before making specific plans to visit the new park.
The area may become more relevant to nature-based tourism in the future, depending on how visitor access and tourism facilities are developed.
What travellers should know
- Location: Eastern Cape highlands, between Nqanqarhu and Rhodes, South Africa.
- Size: 10,225.9 hectares across 18 properties.
- Management: South African National Parks (SANParks).
- Main purpose: Protecting grassland biodiversity and an important strategic water source area.
- Visitor access: Public access and tourism facilities have not been confirmed in the announcement.
The declaration of the Grasslands National Park is an important conservation milestone for South Africa. For visitors, the immediate significance is the protection of a distinctive highland landscape; whether the new park will become a destination in its own right will depend on future decisions about access and tourism development.
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