Cape Town – South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that visitor numbers exceeded the 100,000 mark during its free-access week.
On October 7, SANParks reported that 105,051 visitors explored national parks across the country during South African National Parks Week, held from 22 to 28 September 2025. The campaign offered South Africans free day access to a national park of their choice.
Several parks recorded notable increases in visitors, including Mapungubwe (52.3%), Mountain Zebra (52%), Addo (47.3%), Kruger (39%), and Kgalagadi (26.7%).
SANParks celebrates the week as an opportunity for South Africans to cultivate pride and strengthen their connection with the nation’s natural, cultural, and historical heritage. JP Louw, Head of Communication and Spokesperson, noted that the initiative allows all South Africans to experience and appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the country’s national parks.
Since its inception in 2006, SANParks reports that a total of 982,034 day visitors have participated in the free-access initiative across all participating parks.
SA National Parks Week Free Access Visitors Beats The 100 000 Mark
SANParks saw 105 051 visitors arriving at national parks across the country during South African National Parks Week that took place from 22 September to 28 September 2025: https://t.co/yLRkh3JiCc pic.twitter.com/NvaSLLWd6x
— SANParks (@SANParks) October 8, 2025
According to IOL, the SANParks CEO, Dumisani Dlamini, commended South Africans for participating in the initiative.
“We’re thrilled to see so many South Africans embracing their natural heritage,” said Dlamini.
He added that, “this initiative is about more than just tourism numbers – it’s about connecting people with conservation efforts and building a sense of ownership over our natural treasures.”
A veteran at the park ranger, Nomsa Mbatha, also expressed the enthusiastic impressions on first-time visitor’s faces.
“Many people told me they’d never been able to visit before. Seeing their faces when they spotted their first elephant or lion in the wild – that’s what this program is all about,” said Nomsa.
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
