North West Parks & Tourism Board (NWPTB): Cashless access now in effect at Pilanesberg and Kgaswane, with more reserves to follow!

The North West Parks & Tourism Board (NWPTB) has issued an update on the rollout of its new tariff structure and modernised access systems across provincial nature reserves. Pilanesberg National Park and Kgaswane Mountain & Nature Reserve are now in their second week of full implementation, with both the revised tariffs and the electronic controlled-access system fully operational.

Other NWPTB-managed nature reserves in the North West Province have already adopted the new tariffs and will shift to cashless gate operations from this weekend, with controlled access to be introduced next as part of NWPTB’s broader modernisation programme.

NWPTB also confirmed that a phased upgrade of visitor infrastructure at Pilanesberg National Park will begin shortly. Initial improvements will focus on hides, picnic sites and ablution facilities, followed by long-term enhancements to the park’s road network. These developments form part of the organisation’s strategy to improve visitor experience, strengthen sustainability and raise overall tourism standards across the province’s protected areas.

 

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North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) launches cashless entry system and prepares new online booking platform!

The North West Parks & Tourism Board (NWPTB) introduced new card-only, cashless gate-takings systems at Pilanesberg National Park and Kgaswane Mountain & Nature Reserve on 01 December 2025. This upgrade forms part of the NWPTB’s broader Turnaround Strategy, aimed at strengthening and modernising the organisation’s revenue collection processes.

The NWPTB confirmed that all remaining NWPTB-managed nature reserves in the North West Province will soon migrate to the same cashless system. The transition is expected to standardise operations across the network, reduce financial risks, and improve overall financial controls.

According to a press release issued on 09 December 2025, the newly implemented system has operated smoothly since activation, with no disruptions reported.

The NWPTB also announced that it is finalising a new online booking and payment platform, set to launch in the near future. The digital system will allow visitors to plan trips, secure bookings, and complete payments online, enhancing visitor convenience while supporting increased investment in conservation across all provincial reserves.

 

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South Africa: North West Parks announces major 2025/26 tariff hikes – What local and international travellers need to know!

The North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) has announced substantial 2025/26 tariff increases across major provincial reserves, including Pilanesberg National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, and Vaalkop Dam. Some fees will rise by over 500%, with the board arguing that the increases are essential to fund conservation work, infrastructure upgrades, and long-delayed maintenance.

Why prices Are rising
According to the NWPTB, years of underfunding have resulted in deteriorating roads, broken fencing, outdated facilities, and limited anti-poaching resources. The new “user pays” model aims to create a more stable financial base for long-term sustainability.

Local (South African) Travellers
Day visitors and families will face substantial fee increases:

• Pilanesberg National Park: R80 > R168
• Vaalkop Dam: R50 > R105
• Madikwe Game Reserve: R180 > R777

For many families and day-visitors, these new rates will make spontaneous weekend trips more expensive.

International & Non-SADC Travellers
The sharpest increases apply to foreign visitors:

• Madikwe Game Reserve: R180 > R1,232
• Pilanesberg National Park: R110 > R748

This will likely influence safari planning, package pricing, and destination choices. Budget and mid-range travellers may shift to alternative parks or regions offering better value for money.

Concerns over accessibility & competitiveness
Tourism operators and conservation groups warn that such large increases may reduce both domestic and international visitor numbers. Smaller safari businesses may struggle to absorb the new fees, while critics question whether the expected improvements will appear quickly enough to justify the higher costs.

Final thought
The new tariffs could benefit conservation in the North West Province - but only if visitors see real upgrades in infrastructure, safety, and wildlife management. Until then, both local and international travellers will need to weigh the higher costs against the unique safari experiences these iconic reserves offer. 

 

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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

South Africa: North West Parks Board to reopen Pilanesberg National Park!

The North West Parks Board, 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 Pilanesberg National Park and several other selected Nature Reserves on 12/13 June 2020. In line with South Africa's alert level three regulations, only self-drive excursions for day visitors will be allowed.

The following protected areas and public nature reserves will reopen on 12 June 2020:

• Pilanesberg National Park (Bakubung Gate and Bosele Gate)
• Kgaswane Mountain Reserve

The following protected areas and public nature reserves will reopen on 13 June 2020:

• Mafikeng Game Reserve
• Botsalano Game Reserve

The following Level 3 lockdown rules are to be adhered to at all times when visiting the reserves:

Only self-drive visits will be allowed:

• This means sedan vehicles, LDV, SUV’s and minibuses will be allowed, but no busses or game drive vehicles.
• Visitors are also reminded that the general regulations for transport for alert level three also applies in the reserve and minibuses will only be allowed 70% of loading capacity.
• Visitors are also reminded that cross provincial border traveling is not allowed, that visitors with an address from another/other provinces will not be allowed in terms of the South Africa's alert level three regulations.

Visitors are requested to respect the rules to avoid unnecessary unpleasantness at the gates by:

• At the gates: Keep social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing your hands.
• Visitors are also advised to bring your own sanitizing fluid and cloths to sanitize surfaces before touching them.
• Gate times: The gates will open at 06:30 in the morning and closes at 18:00 in the evening;
• Screening: All visitors are required to undergo screening prior to entering the reserve.
• Staff at the gate will assist all occupants of the vehicle to complete a health status form and measure their body temperature.
• Only after this has been completed to the satisfaction of gate staff, and no abnormalities have been found, will visitors be allowed to enter.
• Visitors with a body temperature of more than 37.8 Celcuis will not be permitted to enter the reserve.

Ablutions:

• Ablutions have been cleaned and sanitized. However, for your own health, visitors are also advised to clean and sanitize any surfaces before touching it.

Hides:

• Hides will be opened but will be used at own risk.
• Visitors are urged to sanitize surfaces before touching them, to observe social distancing between groups, and to limit their stay in the hide to 15 minutes or less if other people are queuing outside.

Picnic sites:

• Picnic sites will remain closed during alert level three.
• No open fires are allowed.

Animals:

• Visitors are also alerted to the fact that animals have grown use to the absence of visitors and vehicles to the parks and have freely occupied open areas such as roads. Dung middens can be seen in all the roads.
• Visitors are urged to be alert to animals on the roads or next to roads and allow them their space.

Park rules:

• The normal parks rules still apply.
• Visitors are urged to respect the rules.
• Visitors are also urged to report transgressions of the regulations to park officials.

South Africa: All rhinos in Pilanesberg National Park have been dehorned!

The North West Parks Board, the governmental organisation responsible for the management of protected areas and public nature reserves in South Africa's North West Province, has announced the decision to trim the horns of all black rhinos and all white rhinos in Pilanesberg National Park. The dehorning of the animals has been done with the help of a veterinary services expert who arrived in Pilanesberg on 12 May 2020. According to a regarding press release, the motivation behind the the drastic measure of interventions was not only to save the species, but also to ensure that the "reward to poachers is reduced" and that "the risks to the poacher are increased". In addition the dehorning of Pilanesberg's rhinos, the North West Parks Board will also significantly increase the security efforts in the protected areas and public nature reserves under its management.
Pilanesberg National Park is home to one of the most important white rhino populations in South Africa and even the world. Both white and black rhino are adapting extemely well in the National Park and have been used to establish new populations across South Africa and neighboring Botswana. The rhino population of Pilanesberg National Park has been hit hard by illegal poaching for at least the past seven years. Over this period, the National Park lost at least 120 rhinos to poaching activities.

The Pilanesberg Nature Reserve (or Game Reserve, National Park) is situated 50km north of Rustenburg in the North West Province of South Africa and borders on the famous Sun City entertainment complex. The wildlife sanctuary has an area of 572 km² and accommodates virtually every mammal of southern Africa, including the Big Five. There are nearly 200 km of excellent quality roads for either self-drives or guided drives.

South Africa: Eight days of free entry into protected areas in the North West Province in September 2019!

The North West Parks Board, responsible for the management of protected areas and public nature reserves in South Africa's North West Province, announced on Facebook that between 08 - 15 September 2019 ("Mahala Week") all parks and game reserves, including Pilanesberg National Park and Madikwe Game Reserve, will be open to South Africans for free. In order to be allowed free access, visitors will be required to present their South African Identity documents. 


North West Parks Board is the custodion of the following 15 protected areas in the North West Province:

• Barberspan Bird Sanctuary
• Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve
• Borakalalo Game Reserve
• Boskop Dam Nature Reserve
• Botsalano Game Reserve
• Highveld Nature Reserve
• Kgaswane Mountain Reserve
• Madikwe Game Reserve
• Mafikeng Game Reserve
• Molemane Eye Nature Reserve
• Molopo Game Reserve
• Pilanesberg National Park
• SA Lombard Nature Reserve
• Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve
• Wolwespruit Nature Reserve

Video: 5 Things to do in Johannesburg!

Rough Guides, a British travel guidebook and reference publisher, has set up a list of 5 things to do in Johannesburg. If you want to know why Rough Guides thinks that Joburg is on the up to be a global leader in... Music, Art, Style and Creativity, you don't want to miss this short video. Enjoy your quick video trip through Johannesburg's inner city, nearby Pilanesberg National Park, the Apartheid Museum, Soweto and the "new" Joburg. Kudos Rough Guides!

Pilanesberg National Park: A massive fire burned down about 50% of the National Park!

North West Parks Board (NWPB), which manages 15 protected reserves in South Africa's North West Province, has released a media statement regarding the massive fire that occured in Pilanesberg National Park in early September 2018. According to the NWPB, the fire entered the National Park from the north and burnt very intensly through the central parts towards the southern boundary. The fire also spread to the east and the area known as the Wilderness Area burnt down completely. The total area burnt to date is approximately 50% of the National Park. Little damage was done to infrastructure of Pilanesberg National Park. Unfortunately, the well-known and very popular Mankwe hide, situated on the edge of the Mankwe dam, was completely destroyed, but lodges like the Ivory Tree Game Lodge and the Bakgatla Resort as well as pupular picnic sites like Fish-Eagle picnic site suffered no damage.