CapeNature Access Week 2026: Free entry to 23 Western Cape Nature Reserves

Travellers visiting the Western Cape from 19 to 25 September 2026 can take advantage of CapeNature's 12th annual Access Week, with free day entry offered at 23 participating nature reserves across the province.

The initiative is a good opportunity to explore some of the Western Cape's best hiking, fynbos, coastal and wildlife destinations without paying the usual conservation entrance fee. Participating reserves range from Jonkershoek and Kogelberg near Cape Town to De Hoop, Robberg, Swartberg and Anysberg further afield.

Which reserves are participating?

The 23 reserves taking part are:

West Coast: Groot Winterhoek, Bird Island and Rocherpan

Central: Kogelberg, Hottentots Holland, Jonkershoek, Assegaaibosch, Limietberg and Stony Point

South: Walker Bay, De Mond, De Hoop, Marloth, Grootvadersbosch, Geelkrans and Vrolijkheid

Garden Route: Robberg, Keurbooms River, Goukamma and Outeniqua

Karoo: Swartberg, Gamkaberg and Anysberg

For visitors planning a spring road trip, the Access Week could be a particularly good reason to add a reserve that might otherwise have been skipped. Popular options include the hiking trails of Jonkershoek and Groot Winterhoek, the coastline at Robberg and De Hoop, and the Cape mountain scenery of Kogelberg and Swartberg.

What travellers need to know before visiting

There are a few important conditions attached to the free entry offer:

• Walk-in visitors only: Simply arrive at the reserve during normal operating hours. No booking is required.
• Do not book if you want free entry: Visitors making reservations through the CapeNature Contact Centre or online booking system will be charged the normal entrance fee.
• Capacity limits apply: Entry is not guaranteed once a reserve reaches its visitor capacity. Arriving early is advisable, especially at popular reserves.
• General day entry only: The offer includes access for activities such as hiking and mountain biking where these are normally permitted, but excludes activities such as the Whale Trail, certain partner or concession areas and commercial activities.
• Check access before travelling: Temporary closures or restrictions may affect parts of individual reserves.

CapeNature's 2026 theme, "Nature is for Everyone," makes this one of the Western Cape's useful annual opportunities for budget-conscious travellers to experience the province's protected landscapes for free. If you're in the region during the week, it may be worth planning your itinerary around one or two of the participating reserves — particularly those you have not yet visited.

CapeNature Access Week runs from 19 to 25 September 2026.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Karoo National Park closes all game viewing roads after heavy rain

Visitors to Karoo National Park should note that all game viewing roads have been temporarily closed following excessive overnight rain between 03 and 04 September 2026.

South African National Parks (SANParks) said Park Management will inspect the roads and assess them for safety before they are reopened. A further update will be issued once the roads are safe for visitors.

The closure is likely to affect self-drive game viewing, so travellers visiting Karoo National Park should check the latest conditions before setting out and be prepared for changes to their plans.

The weather-related closure follows recent road repairs in Karoo National Park, highlighting how road conditions in the park can change.

We'll update this post when SANParks announces the reopening of the game viewing roads.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

TAAG Angola Airlines and LATAM Brasil codeshare expands travel options to Southern Africa

Travellers flying between Brazil and Southern Africa now have another option to consider, following a new codeshare agreement between TAAG Angola Airlines from Angola and Brazilian airline LATAM Brasil.

The partnership connects LATAM Brasil's domestic network with TAAG flights via São Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU). It covers 57 Brazilian destinations, including Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Florianópolis and Foz do Iguaçu.

For travellers, the main advantage is the ability to book combined LATAM Brasil and TAAG itineraries, making it easier to travel from cities across Brazil towards Southern Africa via São Paulo and Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) near Luanda or OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg.

Eligible connecting itineraries also offer benefits such as coordinated check-in, baggage handling and passenger assistance during connections. The combined tickets are already being offered through TAAG's sales channels.

An alternative route to Southern Africa

The agreement could be particularly useful for Brazilian travellers heading to Angola, Namibia, South Africa and potentially other Southern African destinations. Johannesburg, in particular, provides extensive onward connections across the region.

TAAG and LATAM have also indicated that the partnership could eventually be expanded to include LATAM's international network in South and North America, potentially creating even more routing options between the two continents.

For now, travellers planning a Brazil–Southern Africa trip should compare the new TAAG/LATAM options with existing routes, particularly when looking for a convenient single-ticket itinerary.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Free Park Entry in North West: Park Mahala Week 2026 dates announced

South African citizens will be able to visit 13 provincial parks and nature reserves in South Africa's North West Province free of charge during the Park Mahala Week 2026, which runs from 20 September to 27 October 2026.

The North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) has confirmed that free entry will be available at participating NWPTB-managed protected areas to visitors presenting a valid South African ID or passport.

The participating reserves are:

1. Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
2. Borakalalo Nature Reserve
3. Kgaswane Mountain Reserve
4. Botsalano Nature Reserve
5. Mafikeng Nature Reserve
6. Molopo Nature Reserve
7. Molemane Eye Nature Reserve
8. Wolwespruit Nature Reserve
9. Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve
10. Boskop Nature Reserve
11. Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve
12. Barberspan Bird Sanctuary
13. S.A. Lombard Nature Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve is not included in the 2026 Park Mahala Week initiative.

While entry is free for qualifying South African citizens, travellers should note that accommodation, activities and other services may still carry their normal charges. It is also advisable to check individual reserve opening times and facilities before travelling.

Park Mahala Week offers a good opportunity to explore some of the North West's best-known wildlife destinations, including Pilanesberg, as well as lesser-known reserves across the province without paying an entrance fee.

International travellers: Expect busier parks during Park Mahala Week

International visitors do not qualify for free entry under Park Mahala Week, but should be aware that participating reserves may be busier than usual during the promotion, particularly on 20 September 2026, 24 September 2026 and 26–27 September 2026.

Pilanesberg Nature Reserve is likely to be one of the most popular destinations. Its Big Five wildlife, rather good road network and relatively easy access from Johannesburg and Pretoria already make it a popular choice for day visitors, and free entry for South African citizens could lead to increased visitor numbers during Park Mahala Week.

International travellers planning to visit Pilanesberg or another participating reserve may therefore want to arrive early, especially on weekends, and allow extra time at entrance gates. Travellers hoping for a quieter experience could also consider visiting on a weekday or exploring some of the North West's lesser-known reserves included in the initiative.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Air France brings back direct Paris - Cape Town flights

Travellers flying between Europe and Cape Town will have another nonstop option this southern summer as Air France brings back its seasonal service between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Cape Town International Airport (CPT).

The route is scheduled to operate from 22 September 2026 until 27 March 2027, making it particularly useful for European travellers heading to Cape Town for a southern African summer holiday, a city break or onward travel through the region.

More flights during the peak season

Air France will initially operate the Paris - Cape Town route three times a week:

22 September – 31 October 2026

• Paris > Cape Town (Tue/Fri/Sun): depart 10:25, arrive 22:10
• Cape Town > Paris (Mon/Wed/Sat): depart 00:15, arrive 12:15

One important detail for travellers: despite the departure technically being just after midnight, passengers will need to be at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) on the evening before the departure date.

From 01 November 2026, Air France's Cape Town–Paris service steps up to five flights a week, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and continuing on that pattern until the season ends on 27 March 2027. Confirmed timings so far cover the Cape Town–Paris direction: departure from Cape Town at 08:30, arriving in Paris at 19:20. Air France hasn't published a separate schedule for the return Paris–Cape Town leg, but as this is presented as a single five-weekly-frequency route rather than two independently timed services, it's likely the return flights operate on the same five days — most plausibly departing Paris in the evening for an overnight flight back to Cape Town. Travellers should check Air France's official timetable for the exact Paris departure time before booking.

Why the route matters for visitors to South Africa

The return of Air France's nonstop Paris–Cape Town service gives travellers from France and elsewhere in Europe a direct way to reach South Africa during the 2026/27 summer season, without having to connect elsewhere in Europe or through another African hub.

For visitors planning a Cape Town holiday, a Garden Route road trip or a wider Southern African itinerary, flying directly into Cape Town can make the start of the journey more convenient. Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris is also one of Air France's major connecting hubs, offering onward connections across France, Europe and further afield for travellers continuing their journey after visiting South Africa.

The route also provides another option for South African travellers heading to Europe, while adding capacity during the busy summer tourism season, when demand for flights between Europe and Cape Town traditionally increases.

As always, flight schedules and frequencies can change, so travellers should check the latest details when making their booking.

Bottom line

Air France's seasonal nonstop Paris–Cape Town service returns on 22 September 2026, initially with three weekly flights before increasing to five flights a week from 01 November 2026. The route is scheduled to operate until 27 March 2027, giving travellers another direct link between the Mother City and one of Europe's biggest aviation hubs. 

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

South Africa's Summer Weather Outlook: Hotter and drier conditions expected

Travellers planning a trip to South Africa between September 2026 and January 2027 may want to keep an eye on the weather. The latest seasonal outlook from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) points towards a hotter-than-normal summer, with an increasingly strong El Niño raising the likelihood of drier conditions across large parts of the country.

El Niño is currently strengthening and is forecast to potentially reach a very strong state during the coming months, with conditions expected to persist through at least the end of the 2026/27 summer season. For South Africa, this typically increases the risk of warmer and drier weather.

The outlook is not uniformly dry, however. During spring, favourable rainfall is still possible along parts of the eastern coast and eastern interior. As the country moves into early summer, below-normal rainfall becomes more likely across significant areas, particularly the central interior and far north-east.

There are currently also indications of potentially wetter-than-normal conditions in some eastern parts of South Africa during early summer. SAWS cautions, however, that this part of the forecast remains uncertain as the El Niño event continues to develop.

What could this mean for travellers?

For visitors, the most noticeable impact may simply be the heat. Both minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be above normal across much of South Africa during spring and early summer.

This could make daytime sightseeing, hiking and other outdoor activities more demanding, especially in inland destinations. Travellers heading to national parks and game reserves should also be prepared for potentially changing conditions if below-normal rainfall becomes established.

A drier summer can affect landscapes, water levels and vegetation, while hot conditions may influence the timing of wildlife activity. For safari travellers, early mornings and late afternoons could become even more important for game viewing.

It is still a seasonal outlook rather than a day-to-day forecast, and conditions can vary considerably between regions. Travellers should therefore not assume that the entire country will experience the same weather. Those visiting South Africa over the coming months would be wise to check updated forecasts closer to departure.

For now, the key message is clear: South Africa's 2026/27 summer could become significantly hotter and drier as El Niño strengthens, although regional rainfall patterns may still change as the season develops.

Bontebok National Park Recovery Update: More chalets, camping and hiking trails reopen

Travellers planning to visit Bontebok National Park will find that the park has made further progress in its recovery from the severe flooding that hit the Breede River in May 2026.

As reported previously, the flooding caused significant damage to visitor infrastructure and forced the temporary closure of the park's accommodation area. Since then, South African National Parks (SANParks) has been working to restore access and facilities - and the latest update brings some encouraging news for visitors.

More facilities are now open

Six chalets have now reopened, giving overnight visitors more accommodation options than were available immediately after the floods. The campsite has also reopened.

Three hiking trails are once again accessible:

• Aloe Hill Trail
• Acacia Trail
• Termite Trail

Bontebok National Park main access road to the accommodation area, which was almost completely destroyed by the flooding, has also been repaired. The rehabilitation included stronger reinforcement to help protect the route against future damage.

What is still closed?

Recovery work is not yet complete. Travellers should note that the following are currently unavailable:

• remaining chalets
• Bushbuck Trail
• Ou Tuin Trail
• picnic site

The total cost of repairing the flood damage is estimated at around R12.3 million.

What this means for travellers

Bontebok National Park is open and increasingly accessible, but visitors should not expect every facility to have returned to normal just yet.

For travellers planning an overnight stay or a hiking visit, the reopening of six chalets, the campsite and three trails provides considerably more options. However, if your itinerary depends on a particular chalet, trail or the picnic site, it is worth checking its current status before travelling.

The timing may also be particularly interesting for South African visitors: Bontebok National Park is included in SANParks Week 2026, with free entry available from 07 to 13 September 2026, subject to the usual terms and conditions.

We'll continue to monitor the recovery at Bontebok National Park and update this post if further accommodation, trails or visitor facilities reopen. 

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa.