The 17th annual SA national parks week grants free access to almost all of the 22 national parks. Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA)
Pretoria - The South African National Parks (SANParks) has brought much financial relief to nature lovers by offering a free for all week dubbed “Mahala week” in most national parks across the country, including the Kruger National Park (KNP).
The 17th annual SA national parks week that starts today until Friday grants free access to almost all of the 22 national parks for those who wish to visit during the day to explore nature.
The pass however excludes access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities.
Under the theme “Know Your National Parks”, the initiative, since its inception in 2006, has raked in over 619 252 day visitors across all participating parks and hopes to attract visitors from neighbouring communities.
KNP spokesperson Isaac Phaahla said the purpose was to continue to encourage citizens to know their parks and enjoy their natural heritage especially communities that are bordering the protected areas as they might not ordinarily be able to afford the general entry fees.
“The Kruger National Park will open its gates only during weekdays and implores people to make arrangements as quotas will be implemented to avoid congestion both at the gates and other public areas within the park.
“We want people to be able to connect to nature and appreciate their natural heritage, hence the decision to restrict it to weekdays and to have quotas at every gate.”
The free access week takes place during both Tourism and Heritage Month.
“It makes sense for us to have National Parks week during this period especially for our neighbouring communities. In celebration of the National Parks Week, KNP also has planned activities lined-up to highlight interpretation for some of the Cultural Heritage products available for tourists.
“These activities will also allow us an opportunity to strengthen relations with the key stakeholders from around the Park who are linked to those cultural heritage sites,” Phaahla added.
Bongani Ntuli from Hazyview in Mpumalanga says he has been living 5km from one of the gates of the KNP but has never set foot in it for over 40 years because he can’t afford it.
“In my life living here I’ve never been inside the park because my salary as a farm worker does not allow me to visit. None of my family members have been inside.
“Instead, we only see the animals when they break free and come outside into the communities. We see elephants and hippos a lot because they easily break the fence and come outside.
“I’d say monkeys are part of the community because we see those everyday. They often come out for food. Otherwise we will see a lion or a leopard occasionally,” Ntuli said.
Pretoria News