South Africans will be spoilt for a week after the SA National Parks (SANParks) announced that its annual free week will take place from September 9 to 13 and extend to 14 and 15 at selected parks.
In a statement this week, SANParks said, during this period, free access would be granted to most of the 21 national parks under the management of SANParks.
Spokesperson JP Louw added that the entity would also be hosting a celebratory event at Marakele National Park to kickstart the 19th annual free week.
“Please take special note of the fact that free access to national parks at this time does not include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities.“
He said the national parks week had seen an influx of day visitors in all participating parks since its inception in 2006.
“SANParks also uses this time to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage as protected and preserved by the national parks system.”
He added that it had proven to be a successful campaign that provided education and awareness about SA’s inclusive approach to conservation.
“While offering an opportunity to experience SA’s rich natural and cultural heritage, attention is also drawn to the sustainable development practices made possible through partnerships with key role players like communities living adjacent to national parks, business, scientists and tourists,” he said.
Meanwhile, SANParks last week celebrated World Elephant Day in Limpopo to raise awareness about the challenges in elephant poaching that has surged over the years.
The world renowned Kruger National Park, boasts of more than 26 000 elephants which are part of the Big Five following the rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo.
Since the surge in poaching of the elephant for its tusks and meat, SANParks has negotiated ways of curbing the phenomenon.
KNP spokesperson Ike Phaahla reportedly said it was imperative for the park's survival to preserve the elephants.
“As South African National Parks, we are into the conservation of these species so that future generations can enjoy them. And on the tourism side, people come from all over the world to come and see these species living in the wild. So there is a difference between going to a zoo and seeing them caged and or seeing them in their natural habitat,” Phaahla said.
Saturday Star