The purpose of this initiative is to encourage citizens to know their parks and enjoy their natural heritage, especially communities that are bordering the protected areas that may not be able to afford the general entry fees.
SANParks spokesperson JP Louw says the KNP will open its gates only during weekdays.
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“Visitors should book online to avoid congestion both at the gates and other public areas within the park as quotas will be implemented,” he says.
Please note the following:
- This free entry is applicable to South Africans only, who will be requested to present their South African identity documents when making bookings.
- No alcohol will be allowed, and the free access is only for entry and no other tourism activities.
- Conditions applicable to the free entry are that access will only be granted to day visitors upon presentation of an identity document; only children below the age of 16 years gain entry without proof of identity.
- Groups regarded as commercial ventures, such as private open safari vehicle operators, tourists who come to the park in tour buses, and overnight visitors are not included in this free-access arrangement.
- Visitors are urged to plan their trips to avoid having to rush to reach gates before they close in the afternoons, as there are speed limits in the park.
- No alcohol may be brought into the park. No loud music or alcohol consumption will be allowed at any area close to the park. Braais will only be allowed at designated areas in the picnic sites.
- The use of drones in the KNP is strictly prohibited in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA) and SANParks regulations.
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There are planned activities for invited guests as follows:
- Walk and Learn on the Wild Side (22 to 26 September)
The KNP will host the event in conjunction with Limpopo’s Department of Education – Vhembe and Mopani Districts. The project targets high-school learners – specifically in grade 10 and 11 – from neighbouring communities, exposing them to conservation and tourism-related careers. Two hundred learners will be hosted, and the learners are divided into groups of 40 alternating daily.
- Road-safety awareness in the park (23 to 25 September)
To keep tabs and highlight safety management with visitors on the roads inside the park, the law-enforcement officials will conduct awareness, focussing on areas such as vehicle roadworthiness, licence checks and speeding.
- Cultural Heritage Celebration in Matsulu (24 September)
As September is both Tourism and Heritage Month, there will be a cultural heritage celebration at Matsulu, a township outside Numbi Gate. The event will allow park management an opportunity to strengthen relations with key stakeholders from around the park.
- Gingirikani Greening Project launch (26 September)
As part of the corporate social investment programme, a launch of a greening project with communities will take place at Gingirikani, a village in Giyani.
- Disability Inclusion Programme (26 September)
Over the past few months, South African National Parks (SANParks), in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), empowered 34 young people with disabilities through an entrepreneurship development course and will hand over cheques to celebrate this milestone of the Disability Inclusion Programme on 26 September.
