SANParks Week 2018

The annual South African National Parks (SANParks) Week (10 - 14 September 2018) gives all South Africans the opportunity to explore their local national park for free. With this campaign SANParks is encouraging citizens to #LiveYourWild.

According to Reynold Thakhuli from SANParks Communications, the objective of the week is to cultivate a culture of pride in South Africans' relationship with the country’s natural, cultural and historical heritage.

“When people start to take pride in the national parks, then we believe they will start to understand the importance of conservation”, he said.

Grab the opportunity that SANParks Week provides to get out and explore your province with the parks closest to you:

• Agulhas National Park
• Bontebok National Park
• Table Mountain National Park
• Tankwa-Karoo National Park
• West Coast National Park

The Bontebok, Table Mountain and Tankwa National Parks have also extended the offer of free entry to include Saturday 15 September. Youth under the age of 16 will also be allowed free access without proof of identity.  

It should be noted that the free access to the parks will not include:

• Accommodation.
• Any commercial activities in the park such as guided safaris in vehicles or guided walks, etc.

Remember:  Share your visit to a National Park with SANParks during SA National Parks Week using #SANationalParksWeek #LiveYourWild and tag @SANParks.

The week grants free access to all South Africans with green barcoded IDs to most of the 19 National Parks for day visitors, however there are a few exceptions, namely:

• Namaqua National Park

• Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (both within Table Mountain National Park)

Some ideas of what to see and do in these Western Provincial Parks during SANParks Week 2018:

• The Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is hosting a coastal clean-up, which starts at the Cape of Good Hope Sign in the park on Saturday, 15 September.
   
• You’re also welcome to enter for free at the Newlands, Tokai and Oudekraal picnic sites for a family picnic or braai during the national parks week.
   
• Agulhas National Park will host a circular walk from Monday, 10 September to Saturday, 15 September. The walk will start at the Lighthouse to the Southernmost Tip and it includes a new stretch along the ridge above the Southern Tip.

On Saturday, 15 September, an international coastal clean-up will also be open to the public. Southern Tip Conversation Society, Agulhas HRs, NSRI, Cape Nature and Mosie Hope are some of the partners that will also be involved in the clean-up. The emphasis will be on plastic pollution.

• It’s currently flower season and the West Coast National Park is in full bloom! Explore the 20 minute newly opened flower trail at Mooimaak. Have something to eat at Geelbek restaurant and then head off to experience the spectacular colourful carpets of wild flowers. The West Coast National Park will be hosting different organisations on each day.
   
• The Bontebok National Park, will be hosting guided tours for different organisations from an old age group, orphanage group to a dance group.

For more information, please contact Saskia Marlowe via e-mail: saskia.marlowe@sanparks.org or visit SANParks.

Your transport needs will be seen to by Metrorail and their preferred bus-service provider HGTS Tours.They are offering daily return train-trips from Cape Town to Simons Town, on their four coach exclusive train followed by a luxury-coach journey to Cape Point for the duration of SA National Parks Week (including Saturday 15 September).
 

The cost for the transport package is R150 per adult. R100 for senior citizens, valid only on Wednesday 12, September and R100 for students, valid only from Wednesday, 12 September to Friday, 14 September.

For enquiries and booking information contact: Metrorail’s Rail Tourism Promotions Department on 021 449 3018 / 2366 or e-mail promotions@metrorail.co.za

For individual park dates please visit:
https://www.sanparks.org/about/events/parks_week/default.php