South African National Parks (SANParks) has officially published the updated 2025/26 daily conservation fees, effective 01 November 2025 to 31 October 2026. The fees apply to all visitors entering South Africa’s 21 national parks, supporting essential conservation projects, anti-poaching operations, and the maintenance of park infrastructure.
According to the new tariff schedule, entry costs vary significantly between parks — with smaller or lesser-visited reserves such as Camdeboo National Park, Bontebok Camdeboo National Park, and Agulhas National Park offering some of the most affordable rates, while world-renowned destinations like Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and the Cape of Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park remain at the top of the price range.
- Standard (Foreign) Visitors: R52 – R134 per day
- SADC Nationals: R26 – R73 per day
- South African Citizens/Residents: R21 – R55 per day
The biggest discounts continue to benefit South African and SADC travellers, who pay up to 65% less than international visitors. This tiered pricing encourages regional tourism and makes local travel more accessible to South Africans.
Tip: Always carry valid identification (such as a South African ID or SADC passport) to qualify for the discounted resident rate.
| Rank | National Park | Standard (Foreign) | SADC National | SA Citizen/Resident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camdeboo NP | R 52 | R 26 | R 21 | Cheapest park overall |
| 2 | Garden Route NP – Knysna section | R 51 | R 26 | R 21 | Very affordable coastal section |
| 3 | Bontebok NP | R 61 | R 31 | R 26 | Small but popular near Swellendam |
| 4 | Agulhas NP | R 61 | R 31 | R 26 | Southernmost tip of Africa |
| 5 | Tankwa-Karoo NP | R 61 | R 31 | R 26 | Remote Karoo wilderness |
| 6 | Namaqua NP | R 62 | R 31 | R 26 | Flower season hotspot |
| 7 | Mokala NP | R 63 | R 31 | R 26 | Northern Cape gem near Kimberley |
| 8 | Augrabies Falls NP | R 73 | R 37 | R 31 | Mid-range, great year-round |
| 9 | Golden Gate Highlands NP | R 73 | R 37 | R 31 | Free State mountain park |
| 10 | Karoo NP | R 73 | R 37 | R 31 | Excellent value for self-drivers |
| 11 | Mapungubwe NP | R 73 | R 37 | R 31 | UNESCO World Heritage site |
| 12 | Marakele NP | R 73 | R 37 | R 31 | Gateway to Waterberg |
| 13 | Mountain Zebra NP | R 73 | R 37 | R 31 | Family-friendly Eastern Cape park |
| 14 | Garden Route NP – Wilderness section | R 61 | R 31 | R 26 | Lagoon and forest scenery |
| 15 | Garden Route NP – Tsitsikamma section | R 82 | R 41 | R 36 | Includes Storms River Mouth |
| 16 | West Coast NP (off-season) | R 82 | R 41 | R 36 | Increases in flower season |
| 17 | West Coast NP (flower season) | R 121 | R 61 | R 48 | August–September only |
| 18 | Table Mountain NP – other sections | R 44 | R 22 | R 22 | Excludes Cape of Good Hope |
| 19 | Table Mountain NP – Cape of Good Hope | R 110 | R 55 | R 48 | One of SA’s most visited sites |
| 20 | Addo Elephant NP | R 110 | R 55 | R 48 | Major Eastern Cape safari park |
| 21 | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | R 129 | R 73 | R 55 | Desert wilderness experience |
| 22 | Kruger National Park | R 134 | R 73 | R 55 | SA’s flagship park & most expensive |
Cheapest Parks: Camdeboo Camdeboo National Park, Garden Route Camdeboo National Park (Knysna), Bontebok Camdeboo National Park , Agulhas Camdeboo National Park – all under R65 (Standard)
Mid-range: Augrabies Camdeboo National Park, Golden Gate Highlands Camdeboo National Park, Karoo Camdeboo National Park, Mapungubwe Camdeboo National Park, Marakel Camdeboo National Parke – R70–R80
Premium: Addo Elephant National Park, Table Mountain National Pak (Cape of Good Hope), Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kruger National Park – R110–R134
Visitors planning multiple trips can save money by purchasing a SANParks Wild Card, which provides unlimited access to selected parks for a year. For frequent travellers, this is the most cost-effective way to explore South Africa’s incredible protected areas.
Conservation fees play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity, maintaining visitor facilities, and ensuring that future generations can continue to experience South Africa’s natural beauty. Each rand collected supports habitat restoration, anti-poaching patrols, and community conservation initiatives.
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