South Africa: Kruger National Park goes cash free!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Kruger National Park will be going cash free as from 01 December 2023 at five of its entrance gates found in the southern part of the National Park as well as fuel stations. This is part of a broader cash free digital drive, which SANParks introduced in 2021 to improve customer convenience and reduce contact time at entry points especially during peak times. The cash free payment system in Kruger National Park will be implemented in a two-phased approach at some facilities, while the remaining gates and camps will go online in early 2024.

"The benefit of implementing a cash free payment system is meant to reduce queues further and impact the time it takes to get into a park. The aim is also to reduce the risks associated with handling cash. We therefore would like to encourage clients to make use of either the online pre-booking payment systems which offers a no hassle of having to transact on arrival or speed point payment systems at the gates", said the Kruger National Park Managing Executive, Oscar Mthimkhulu.

The entrance gates to Kruger National Park which will be launching the cash free payment methods on 01 December 2023 are:

• Paul Kruger Gate
• Phabeni Gate
• Numbi Gate
• Malelane Gate
• Crocodile Bridge Gate

The fuel station in the Skukuza Rest Camp will also be launching the cash free payment methods on 01 December 2023.

Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA): All nature reserves in Mpumalanga will go cashless!

The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has announced that all of its nature reserves in Mpumalanga, including the popular Blyde River Canyon, as well as its Visitor Information Centre are set to implement a cashless service system. Effective 01 September 2023, payments in cash will longer be accepted as means of payment. Visitors to the nature reserves and the Visitor Information Centre will instead be able to make all payments by using card or cell phone payment services. 

"In responding to the safety measures put in place to safeguard our patrons from being targeted by criminals, the MTPA introduces a cashless system in all our parks with effect from the 1st of September 2023. Visitors to our nature reserves do not have to carry cash when visiting our facilities but would rather use card or cell phone payment services. We want to ensure that our patrons enjoy a memorable experience when visiting our facilities. This cashless service will ease their frustration about being robbed carrying large sums of cash with them" said Mr. Mduduzi Vilakazi, MTPA’s Chief Executive Officer.

The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) is custodian of 15 protected areas spread across three district municipalities in Mpumalanga, namely:
 
Ehlanzeni District:

• Andover Nature Reserve
• Barberton Nature Reserve
• Blyde River Canyon
• Mahushe Shongwe Nature Reserve         
• Manyeleti Nature Reserve
• Mthethomusha Nature Reserve

Gert Sibande District:

• Nooitgedacht Dam Nature Reserve         
• Songimvelo Nature Reserve

Nkangala District:

• Loskop Dam Nature Reserve
• Mabusa Nature Reserve
• Mkhombo Nature Reserve
• Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve
• S.S Skosana Nature Reserve

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South African National Parks: Karoo National Park goes cash free!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Karoo National Park in South Africa's Western Cape will be going cash free. It is one of a handful of National Parks in the country which is implementing this approach during a second phase after the initial roll-out to others in September 2021. Effective 01 June 2023,  cash will no longer be accepted as a method of payment in Karoo National Park. Instead, visitors are urged to make use of the speed point payment systems. All trade and tourism activities, such as entrance/conservation fees, activity fees and accommodation fees, will be cash free and therefore cash will not be accepted. However, the independently owned and run shop and restaurant in the Karoo National Park  will continue to take cash as a form of payment.

Cape Town: Table Mountain National Park goes cash free at two popular entry points!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town is set to go cash free at two popular entry points. Effective 01 April 2023, the Cape of Good Hope, known as Cape Point, and Boulders Penguin Colony entry points will no longer accept cash as a means of payment for conservation fees. Visitors can pay for conservation fees, otherwise known as gate entry fees, with either a debit or credit card or purchase an online gate entry ticket prior to arrival from the SANParks website and follow the prompts. Once payment has been made the ticket will be sent via email.

The cash free environment is part of a larger plan already commenced by SANParks in a number of National Parks to remove cash from remote locations increasing safety and allowing visitors to transact on the website at their leisure.
Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town is primarily an open access Park offering visitors free access to many fantastic attractions. Conservation fees are payable at Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony, Silvermine and Oudekraal, as well as the following picnic sites: Newlands, Tokai and Perdekloof.

South African National Parks: 12 National Parks in South Africa will go cash-free from September 2021!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that it will be going cash free from 01 September 2021. The cash free payment system will be implemented in a two-phased approach. Out of a total of 20 National Parks spread across the seven provinces of South Africa with the exception of KwaZulu-Natal and North West, 12 National Parks will go cash free from the the 2021/22 financial year (01 September 2021). The remaining national parks will be implementing the new system in the 2022/23 fiscal year.
According to SANParks' Chief Financial Officer, Dumisani Dlamini, cash will no longer be accepted as a method of payment and clients will be encouraged to make use of pre-booking payment systems and/or speed point payment systems. All trade and tourism activities will be cash free and therefore cash will not be accepted. Through the introduction of the cash free payment system SANParks aims to place an emphasis on minimising the risk associated with the handling of cash by staff. According to SANParks, it should also be improving customer convenience as the cash free payment system will reduce the contact time at entry points particularly during peak times.

The following 12 National Parks in South Africa will go cash free from 01 September 2021:

1. Garden Route National Park (consisting of Knysna, Wilderness and Tsitsikamma)
2. Agulhas National Park
3. |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
4. Namaqua National Park
5. Table Mountain National Park
6. Tankwa Karoo National Park
7. West Coast National Park
8. Mountain Zebra National Park
9. Camdeboo National Park
10. Addo Elephant National Park
11. Mapungubwe National Park
12. Golden Gate Highlands National Park

src.: sanparks.org