Looking for an affordable way to get out of the house, spend time with family and enjoy South Africa’s great outdoors? September could be the perfect time to visit a national park.
South Africans can visit participating national parks for free during SA National Parks Week 2026, which runs from 7 to 13 September 2026.
The annual initiative by South African National Parks (SANParks) gives South African citizens free access to participating parks for day visits. For families trying to keep entertainment costs down, it is a good opportunity to enjoy a day out without paying the usual park entrance fee.
But there is an important catch: not every park will offer free entry for the entire week.
SA National Parks Week will take place from Monday, 7 September to Sunday, 13 September 2026. Most participating national parks will offer free entry throughout the week. However, some parks will only offer free access from 7 to 11 September.
These include Kruger National Park, Augrabies Falls National Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Marakele National Park and West Coast National Park. So, if you are planning a weekend trip, check the dates for your chosen park before you travel.
To make planning easier, here are the participating national parks grouped by province.
Eastern Cape
If you are in the Eastern Cape, you can take advantage of free entry at:
- Addo Elephant National Park
- Camdeboo National Park
- Mountain Zebra National Park
These parks offer different experiences, from wildlife viewing and game drives to dramatic landscapes and outdoor activities.
Western Cape
Western Cape residents have several options, including:
- Agulhas National Park
- Bontebok National Park
- Garden Route National Park
- Table Mountain National Park
- Tankwa Karoo National Park
- West Coast National Park
For people living in or around Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park and West Coast National Park could provide an easy option for a day out, while Agulhas and the Garden Route offer opportunities to explore further afield.
Keep in mind that West Coast National Park’s free-entry period runs from 7 to 11 September.
Northern Cape
There are also several options for South Africans living in the Northern Cape:
- ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
- Augrabies Falls National Park
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Mokala National Park
- Tankwa Karoo National Park
Augrabies Falls National Park will offer free entry from 7 to 11 September, while the other participating parks have longer free-entry periods.
Tankwa Karoo National Park also stretches across the Northern Cape and Western Cape, so it is included under both provinces.
Limpopo
For those in Limpopo, participating parks include:
- Kruger National Park
- Mapungubwe National Park
- Marakele National Park
Kruger, Mapungubwe and Marakele will offer free entry from 7 to 11 September.
Mpumalanga
Kruger National Park also stretches into Mpumalanga, making it an option for residents of the province.
However, the free-entry period for Kruger is 7 to 11 September 2026, rather than the full National Parks Week period.
Free State
South Africans in the Free State can visit:
- Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Golden Gate Highlands National Park will offer free entry from 7 to 11 September 2026.
The free-entry offer is intended for South African citizens visiting participating national parks as day visitors.
Visitors should bring a valid South African ID book or smart ID card to access the free-entry offer.
Children under 18 do not need to provide identification.
If you are travelling as a family, it is still worth checking the park’s requirements before leaving home.
Free National Parks Week entry means you do not have to pay the normal park entrance fee. It does not mean everything inside the park is free.
You will still need to pay for services such as:
- Accommodation
- Guided game drives
- Guided walks
- Certain activities
- Other paid tourism experiences
This means you can keep the trip affordable by making it a simple day visit.
Pack some food, take enough water, fill up the car and spend the day exploring instead of paying for additional activities.
For many South Africans, Kruger National Park will be one of the biggest attractions during National Parks Week. The park will offer free entry to South African day visitors from 7 to 11 September 2026.
That means visitors hoping to make the most of the free entry should plan their Kruger trip during the week rather than waiting for the weekend. It is also important to remember that free entry does not cover accommodation, guided activities or other paid services.
With the cost of living putting pressure on many households, finding affordable things to do can be difficult. A visit to a national park gives families the chance to enjoy a day outdoors without spending money on the usual entrance fee.
For children, it can also be more than just a day out. A visit to a national park can introduce them to South Africa’s wildlife, plants, landscapes, history and conservation efforts. And you do not have to turn it into an expensive holiday.
If you live close enough to a participating park, you could simply make it a day trip. Pack lunch from home, take water, and plan your route before leaving.
Before heading to a national park, check the latest information from SANParks and confirm the free-entry dates for your chosen destination. This is particularly important for parks where the free-entry period ends on 11 September.
You should also plan for your own transport, food and other expenses, as these are not covered by the free-entry offer. For South Africans looking for an affordable way to explore the country this September, National Parks Week 2026 is an opportunity worth taking advantage of.
Whether you want to see wildlife in Kruger, explore Table Mountain, visit Addo Elephant National Park or simply spend a day surrounded by nature, there is a good chance there is a participating national park within reach.
