South African National Parks (SANParks) is once again offering free entry to participating national parks for South African day visitors during South African National Parks Week, which runs from 07 to 13 September 2026.
The annual initiative is a good opportunity for South African residents to explore a national park close to home without paying the usual conservation fee. However, there are some important exceptions — and several parks are only included from Monday to Friday.
When is SANParks Week 2026?
The 21st annual South African National Parks Week takes place from Monday, 07 September to Sunday, 13 September 2026.
South African visitors must present an identity document to qualify for free entry. Children under 18 do not need to provide identification.
The offer covers park entry only. Accommodation, game drives, guided walks and other activities remain subject to their normal fees.
Which national parks are included?
The following parks offer free entry for the full 07–13 September 2026 period:
- Agulhas National Park
- Bontebok National Park
- Table Mountain National Park*
- Tankwa Karoo National Park
- Addo Elephant National Park
- Camdeboo National Park
- Karoo National Park
- Mountain Zebra National Park
- Garden Route National Park
- |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Mokala National Park
* At Table Mountain National Park, free entry excludes the Boulders Penguin Colony and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.
Parks with weekday-only free entry
Free access is limited to 07–11 September 2026 at:
- Kruger National Park
- West Coast National Park
- Golden Gate Highlands National Park
- Mapungubwe National Park
- Marakele National Park
- Augrabies Falls National Park
This means that Kruger National Park is not free on the weekend of 12–13 September2026.
The weekday restriction at West Coast National Park is particularly relevant for visitors hoping to combine South African National Parks Week with the 2026 wildflower season, when the park is traditionally very busy.
Parks not included
Not every SANParks destination participates in the initiative.
Namaqua National Park is excluded from South African National Parks Week 2026, while the Boulders Penguin Colony and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are excluded from the offer despite Table Mountain National Park participating.
What does free entry include?
South African National Parks Week covers the normal conservation/entrance fee for South African day visitors. It does not make other park services free.
Visitors will still pay the normal rates for:
- accommodation
- guided game drives
- guided walks
- other organised activities and attractions
It is therefore particularly useful for a self-drive day visit, where the normal conservation fee would otherwise be the main park admission cost.
A good opportunity to explore
South African National Parks Week has become one of SANParks' biggest public-access initiatives since it was introduced in 2006. More than 105,000 visitors took advantage of the free-entry offer in 2025.
For South African residents, the 2026 edition provides another opportunity to visit a national park — perhaps one that is close to home but has never made it onto the itinerary.
If you are planning to take advantage of the offer, it is worth checking the individual park's opening times and any access restrictions before travelling. Popular parks and gateways can be busy during South African National Parks Week.
International visitors should note that the free-entry offer is aimed at South African day visitors. Foreign tourists should budget for the applicable normal conservation fees.
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