Free national park entry is coming for Joburg residents

Johannesburg residents can plan a budget-friendly getaway when SA National Parks Week returns from 7 to 13 September 2026.

Marakele offers a bush break from the city

SANParks will waive entry fees for South African day visitors at participating national parks during the annual campaign.

For Gauteng residents, Marakele National Park in Limpopo is one of the closest participating options. The park sits about 250km north of Johannesburg, near Thabazimbi, and will offer free entry from Monday, 7 September to Friday, 11 September.

The Northern Region schedule also includes Golden Gate Highlands National Park and Mapungubwe National Park, with free access running from 7 to 11 September.

Kruger National Park will follow the same Monday-to-Friday schedule, giving Johannesburg residents another option for a longer wildlife trip.

Visitors must present a South African identity document at the gate. Children under 18 do not need identification.

The free access applies to day visits only. Accommodation, guided activities, game drives and other paid experiences will still carry their usual fees.

SANParks recorded more than 105 000 visitors during National Parks Week in 2025. The initiative has run since 2006, encouraging South Africans to spend time in the country’s protected areas.

• Date: 7 to 13 September 2026
• Website: Visit SANParks