Free entry returns to South Africa’s national parks – Here’s when and where you can visit
· The South African
South Africans will once again be able to explore some of the country’s most spectacular national parks without paying an entrance fee when SA National Parks Week returns this September.
The 21st annual campaign will run from 7 to 13 September 2026, giving South African day visitors the chance to visit participating SANParks destinations for free.
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The annual initiative has become one of the biggest opportunities for locals to experience the country’s national parks without the usual conservation or entrance fees.
However, there is an important catch for visitors planning a trip to some of the country’s most popular parks.
Kruger, West Coast and Augrabies have different dates
While SA National Parks Week runs until Sunday, 13 September, Kruger National Park, West Coast National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park will only offer free entry from Monday, 7 September to Friday, 11 September.
Free entry at these three parks will therefore not extend into the weekend.
SANParks said the campaign opens the gates of participating parks to South African day visitors at no charge, creating an opportunity for families, communities, schools, nature lovers and first-time visitors to experience protected areas across the country.
Who gets into the national parks for free?
The free entry offer is specifically aimed at South African day visitors.
Visitors will need to present their South African identity documents when entering participating parks, although children under the age of 18 do not need to provide identification.
It is worth remembering that the offer covers entry to the participating parks only.
If you want to stay overnight, book a guided activity or go on a game drive, you will still need to pay the normal fees.
SANParks said individual parks may also have their own entry conditions and visitor limits, so visitors should check the requirements for their chosen park before setting off.
Not every SANParks attraction is included
While the campaign covers a wide range of national parks and sections, several popular attractions are excluded from the free-access initiative.
These include:
- Namaqua National Park
- Boulders Penguin Colony Section of Table Mountain National Park
- Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
Here’s the full list of participating parks and their respective free-access dates:
Kruger National Park- Free access: 7 – 11 September 2026
- Agulhas National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- Bontebok National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- Table Mountain National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026 (excluding Boulders Penguin Colony section and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway)
- Tankwa Karoo National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- West Coast National Park: 7 – 11 September 2026 (not extending to the weekend, as it is active Flower Season)
- Addo Elephant National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- Camdeboo National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- Karoo National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- Mountain Zebra National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- Garden Route National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- Golden Gate Highlands National Park: 7 – 11 September 2026
- Mapungubwe National Park: 7 – 11 September 2026
- Marakele National Park: 7 – 11 September 2026
- |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- Augrabies Falls National Park: 7 – 11 September 2026
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
- Mokala National Park: 7 – 13 September 2026
SA National Parks Week has been running since 2006 and has grown into one of SANParks’ flagship public awareness initiatives.
The campaign is designed to encourage South Africans to experience the country’s protected areas while highlighting the importance of conservation.
In 2025, more than 105 000 visitors took advantage of the free-access initiative.