VISIT KNP FOR FREE IN CELEBRATION OF SA NATIONAL PARKS WEEK

VISIT KNP FOR FREE IN CELEBRATION OF SA NATIONAL PARKS WEEK

The annual South African National Parks (SA National Parks) Week will take place on 14 – 18 September 2015; to once more afford South African day visitors free access into the Kruger National Park (KNP) and all other National Parks in the country.

The purpose of this initiative is to continue to familiarize and create awareness about the understanding of environmental conservation amongst South African citizens.

“September is both Tourism and National Heritage month. We therefore encourage South Africans, young people in particular to visit the Park as the intention is to make them understand the value of the environment and the importance of conservation”, said the KNP’s GM: Communications and Marketing, William Mabasa

In celebration of this special week, KNP Management will engage with various community groupings as follows:

Day 1              Visitors will be exposed to an exhibition of services rendered at the Stevenson Hamilton Library and a tour of the museum facility in Skukuza Camp

Day 1 – 5        The “Learn and Walk on the Wild side” will run every day at Mopani Camp and will be hosted in conjunction with Limpopo’s Department of Education. The project targets high school pupils specifically Grade 10 and 11 from neighbouring communities, exposing them to conservation and tourism related careers.

Day 2              Management will host traditional leaders coming from communities outside the northern part of the Park – the venue will be Mopani Camp

Day 3              Management to visit sick children at Tintswalo Hospital outside Orpen Gate

Day 3 - 5         KNP will host strategic media executives for the purpose of exposing them to the tourism products that exist throughout the Park

Day 5              Management will host traditional leaders coming from communities outside the southern part of the Park – the venue will be Skukuza Camp

Conditions applicable to the free entry are that access will only be granted to day visitors upon presentation of a green bar-coded identity document; only children below the age of 12 years gain entry without proof of identity. Groups regarded as commercial ventures: private open safari vehicles operators, tourists who come to the park on tour buses and overnight visitors are not included in this free access arrangement.

“The normal daily quota at the gates will still apply during that week and preference will be given based on first come first served basis. Know your Parks and act in their best interest by conserving nature”, concluded Mabasa.