Celebrate National Parks Week 2024 in the Garden Route National Park

With September being South Africa’s Tourism Month and Heritage Month, South African National Parks (SANParks) announced that the 2024 edition of National Parks Week will take place from September 9 to 13.

South African National Parks Week is a week when South African citizens are granted free access to most of the 21 national parks under the management of South African National Parks.

While SANParks said that it will kickstart 19th annual SA National Parks Week on September 8, 2024 during a celebratory event at Marakele National Park, part of the Waterberg Biosphere in Limpopo, the Garden Route National Park will host a variety of events too.

“National Parks Week has seen an influx of day visitors in all participating parks since its inception in 2006. SANParks also uses this time to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage as protected and preserved by the national parks system,” said the national parks authority.

SANParks also added that national parks week has proved to be a successful campaign that provides education and awareness about South Africa’s inclusive approach to conservation.

Though park week provides free access to national parks, it does not include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities.

“While offering an opportunity to experience South Africa’s rich natural and cultural heritage, attention is also drawn to the sustainable development practices made possible through partnerships with key role players like communities living adjacent to national parks, business, scientists and tourists,” said SANParks.

Events and activities taking place in the Garden Route vary from visits to the Forest Legends Museum at Diepwalle, guided Forest & Fynbos hikes at Kranschhoek, interactive Seahorse feeding in Knysna and discounted activities to Featherbed Nature Reserve and Knysna Ziplines.

Sources: SANParks / Visit Knysna