News at SANParks
Date: 2012-02-02
Thinking of an affordable getaway and lazy days in the sun? Make the Parks your destination of choice!
Date: 2012-02-01
South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today (31 January 2012) that three Rhino poachers from Mozambique were found guilty of illegal rhino hunting at Phalaborwa Regional Court and sentenced to a maximum of 25 years imprisonment each.
Date: 2012-02-01
A total number of 361 Kruger National Park (KNP) staff members will embark on a strike from Friday, February 3, 2012
Date: 2012-02-01
Proposals for the future upgrade, management and landscaping of the Tokai Manor precinct will be presented at a public open day on Tuesday, 7 February. The open day will be held in the historic Tokai Manor house which now forms part of the Table Mountain National Park.
Date: 2012-01-31
Longing to escape to nature, far away from the madding crowds?
Date: 2012-01-31
Only Days Left to Enter Addo 50Mile Trail Run.
Date: 2012-01-30
Following heavy rains encountered in and around the Kruger area.
Date: 2012-01-25
South African National Parks announced today that it will be offering bursaries to students as part of their Social Science Student Support Programme.
Date: 2012-01-24
An excavation at a site in South Africa has unearthed the 190-million-year-old dinosaur nesting site of the prosauropod dinosaur Massospondylus — revealing significant clues about the evolution of complex reproductive behaviour in early dinosaurs.
Date: 2012-01-24
South African National Parks officially announced that the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site has received 343 visitors to the new Interpretation Centre.
Date: 2012-01-12
In a follow-up anti-poaching operation in the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park last night, Wednesday, 11 January 2012, Field Rangers came in contact with a group of suspected poachers.
Date: 2012-01-11
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced in a statement today that while in an intensified patrols in the various parts of the Kruger National Park (KNP) yesterday (Tuesday, 10 January 2012) rangers found eight (8) carcasses with their horns missing in two sections of the park.
Date: 2012-01-11
For all those avid writers, both young and old, who did not get a chance to enter the Annual Writing Competition late last year – it has been extended until the end of June 2012. Hip, hip hooray!
Date: 2011-12-20
Guests travelling Kruger National Park are notified that the park is currently experiencing a shortage of unleaded petrol at most of its filling stations and therefore advises all those whose vehicle uses unleaded petrol to fill up their cars at the outside outlets before they enter the Park.
Date: 2011-12-19
There is much on offer for visitors to Addo Elephant National Park with a series of evening talks aimed at nature enthusiasts in December and early January.
Date: 2011-12-15
The City of Cape Town, in collaboration with the South African National Parks (SANParks), is pleased to announce the re-opening of Burghers’ Walk in Simon’s Town as of Friday 9 December 2011.
Date: 2011-12-13
Summer holidays are around the corner and with the summer sun heating up and early summer winds blowing a gale – here are some helpful tips and a sneak peek into 2012 to help you enjoy Table Mountain National Park...
Date: 2011-12-13
Children enjoyed themselves immensely on the Camdeboo National Park holiday programme, which ran smoothly and successfully over three days in early December.
Date: 2011-12-12
During the afternoon of 11 December 2011, a joint operational team consisting of South African National Parks (SANParks) Rangers and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) arrested a suspected rhino poacher in the N’wanetsi Ranger Section of the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2011-12-09
Day Visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) are reminded to be aware of gate quotas when planning their visit this coming festive season.
Date: 2011-12-08
Protection Services personnel, Traffic Officials and KNP Rangers, of the Kruger National Park will step up their approach to dealing with rule breakers this coming Festive Season effectively from Friday, 9 December 2011.
Date: 2011-12-06
Kruger National Park: The winners in the 2011 Kudu Awards programme organised by the South African National Parks (SANParks) in partnership with the First National Bank (FNB) were announced in the Kruger National Park on 28 November 2011.
Date: 2011-12-06
South African National Parks announces that 405 rhinos have been poached throughout South Africa to date.
Date: 2011-12-05
The initial deadline, 1 December 2011, for the registration of individuals and companies who make use of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) for commercial activities has been extended by six months to 1 June 2012.
Date: 2011-12-01
Kids can look forward to having some fun while learning at Addo Elephant National Park this December.
Date: 2011-11-22
Visitors who travel through the Kruger National Park (KNP) using its border gates as ports of entry or exit through to the neighbouring countries such as Mozambique will be required to produce a valid overnight booking in either Kruger or Limpopo National Park, effectively from December 1, 2011.
Date: 2011-11-18
@all Visitors: Please note that bookings for the period 1 December 2012 – 31 January 2013 will open on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 at 07:30 a.m.
Date: 2011-11-15
Pretoria: The 2011 finalists in the Kudu Awards programme organized by South African National Parks (SANParks) in partnership with First National Bank (FNB) have been announced.
Date: 2011-11-15
Addo Elephant National Park, one of the top tourist destinations in the Eastern Cape, and stand a chance to win big prizes.
Date: 2011-11-14
The SANParks Honorary Rangers has stepped in to provide Kruger’s field rangers with the necessary equipment to help manage the poaching war. The Honorary Rangers has provided the field rangers with R 1.75 million worth of counter poaching equipment, during a handover ceremony held in Phalaborwa on the 3rd of November 2011.
Date: 2011-11-14
Bontebok NP: The access road to the rest camp from the reception will be closed from 14-24 November 2011 due to road works. An alternative route to the camp will be via the Eastern Drive.
Date: 2011-11-14
All guests and day visitors are advised that the construction of a retaining wall in the Tsitsikamma section in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) has commenced.
Date: 2011-11-14
Celebrations erupted at the V&A Waterfront on Friday November 11 as Table Mountain was named a New 7 Wonder of Nature following a three year battle in the race to choose the world’s seven most wonderful natural sites.
Date: 2011-11-09
Over the past weekend, South Africans were called upon to give something back to Mr Nelson Mandela, by voting for Table Mountain to be elected as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Mr Mandela used to call Table Mountain his ‘Mountain of Hope”.
Date: 2011-11-08
The time has come to reveal Table Mountain’s fate in its battle to be named a New7Wonder of Nature and the results will be announced during a free concert at the V&A Waterfront’s Amphitheatre on Friday 11 November.
Date: 2011-11-07
Bontebok National Park is excited to welcome back its regular campers with the re-opening of the Riverside Campsite for the new season.
Date: 2011-11-03
There are a couple more days left before voting closes for the 7Wonders of Nature contest. Table Mountain needs your vote.
Date: 2011-11-02
Pretoria: Following a yearlong challenge with the issuing of Wild Cards to loyal nature lovers, South African National Parks (SANParks) has come clean and offered an apology to hundreds of the Wild Card members.
Date: 2011-10-31
Calling all writers, young and old, silly and serious – the Annual Writing Competition is officially open!
Date: 2011-10-31
The shop at Bontebok National Park will be closing after conducting a thorough business analysis.
Date: 2011-10-20
On Saturday 29 October Victoria Hospital Children’s Ward will be hoping to see as many runners as possible take to the mountains in the annual Tokai Forest 15 km Run, hosted by Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and Foresters Running Club and sponsored jointly by First Ascent and SANParks.
Date: 2011-10-19
Unite Against Poaching, a collaboration between Unitrans and the SANParks Honorary Rangers, has announced that it will donate R 250 000 towards a project which uses the latest DNA profiling techniques against the Rhino poaching scourge which is decimating the rhino population in Southern Africa.
Date: 2011-10-19
Fancy yourself an avid cyclist looking for a challenge – then the Weskus Langebaan Lagoon Cycle could be up your alley. This cycle challenge takes place on 12 November 2011 with optional distances of 80 km and 30 km starting at 7:00 and 7:45 respectively.
Date: 2011-10-13
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has re-opened the newly reinstated Cecilia Car Park. The popular car park, along Rhodes Drive, provides visitor access to Cecilia plantation. It was closed in January this year due to the commercial harvesting of pine trees in the surrounding plantation.
Date: 2011-10-12
Two fresh white rhino carcasses (cow and calf), were discovered this morning, 11 October 2011 at Albasini Road, in the Pretoriuskop Ranger Section of the Kruger National Park (KNP). The two animals were both shot on the head and only one front horn was removed, the rest still intact.
Date: 2011-10-10
Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs publishes proposed amendments to the norms and standards for marking of rhinoceros horn and hunting of white rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes.
Date: 2011-10-07
One of the oldest tuskers in the Kruger National Park (KNP), Duke, passed away on October 1, 2011 seemingly of old age.
Date: 2011-10-07
The mighty Springboks take on the Wallabies in the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday, but their confrontation is not restricted to the pitch as South Africa’s Table Mountain is also locked in a battle with Australia’s Ayers Rock (Uluru) to be named one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
Date: 2011-10-06
The nominations for the 7th Annual Kudu Awards are still open, the call for nomination is open to members of the public to nominate individuals, groups or companies they believe have made a significant contribution towards conservation in the available categories.
Date: 2011-09-30
In just 42 days, Table Mountain could be named one of the New7Wonders of Nature, an accolade that could generate up to 11 000 new jobs and an additional R1.4 billion in annual revenue for South Africa.
Date: 2011-09-30
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has served a fine of R2 000 to a pilot who had landed a helicopter illegally in the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site.
Date: 2011-09-29
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) today unveiled its revamped activity permit which allows year long, unlimited entry for the permitted activity in the Park.
Date: 2011-09-28
The SANParks Honorary Rangers along with Unitrans Volkswagen and Audi Division, have entered into an on-going Sponsorship agreement, whereby for each vehicle retailed (both new and used) by the 13 participating Unitrans dealerships, R5 million will be pledged to the Anti-Rhino poaching Trust.
Date: 2011-09-27
In an exciting new development, environmentally-concerned visitors can now contribute to greening the Camdeboo National Park by donating trees online.
Date: 2011-09-26
Skukuza’s Lake Panic Hide in the Kruger National Park (KNP) will be temporary closed from the 03 - 18 October 2011.
Date: 2011-09-23
The Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Westlake Office is currently offline due to some technical difficulties. This office is unable to process any Wild Card sales or queries.
Date: 2011-09-20
Kruger National Park’s (KNP’s) Shingwedzi Rest Camp will be closed to day visitors during 24-27 September 2011.
Date: 2011-09-19
The popular three-day Impofu hiking trail re-opens in Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) today, following its prior closure in July last year.
Date: 2011-09-14
On Sunday 18th September 2011, there will be a Spring Open Day at the Skukuza Indigenous Nursery in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2011-09-09
A joint operation consisting of South African National Parks (SANParks) rangers and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), yesterday at Houtbos, Kruger National Park (KNP) resulted in a shoot-out which led to two suspected poachers being fatally wounded and the third wounded - under police guard in hospital.
Date: 2011-09-08
Arguably one of the most hidden treasures of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), the Slangkop Tented Camp will be hosting an “Open Week” during SANParks Week from 12 -16 September including the weekend of 17 – 18 September.
Date: 2011-09-08
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is opening its doors for Heritage Month during the South African National Parks (SANParks) Week, taking place from 12 to 16 September. During this week, all National Parks are offering free, open access to all – to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage that is often just on our doorstep.
Date: 2011-09-08
The 12th Kruger NP Achievement Awards took place yesterday, September, 6 2011 in Skukuza and the award winners were the main attraction as the entire venue hummed with excitement when they scooped awards at the historic event.
Date: 2011-09-07
The Library and Museum, which form part of the Stevenson-Hamilton Knowledge Resource Centre in the Kruger National Park (KNP)’s Skukuza Rest Camp, will be temporarily closed from September 06 to October 14, 2011 for maintenance.
Date: 2011-09-07
From Monday, 12 September until Friday, 16 September, the country’s body charged with the management of national parks, South African National Parks (SANParks) will allow locals with valid identity documents an opportunity to spend a day at a national park of their choice free of charge.
Date: 2011-09-06
Bontebok National Park (BNP) is opening its doors for Heritage Month during the South African National Parks (SANParks) Week, taking place from 12 to 16 September. During this week, all National Parks are offering free, open access to all – to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage that is often just on our doorstep.
Date: 2011-09-06
Tankwa National Park is opening its doors for Heritage Month during the South African National Parks (SANParks) Week, taking place from 12 to 16 September. During this week, all National Parks are offering free, open access to all – to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage that is often just on our doorstep.
Date: 2011-09-06
West Coast National Park (WCNP) is opening its doors for Heritage Month during the South African National Parks (SANParks) Week, taking place from 12 to 16 September. During this week, all National Parks are offering free, open access to all – to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage that is often just on our doorstep.
Date: 2011-09-06
The Kruger National Park's (KNP's) Managing Executive, Abe Sibiya handed over 25 indigenous trees to the educators and learners of Mjejane Primary School for planting on Thursday, September 1, 2011 as part of the Arbor Day celebration and to encourage learners to take part in greening events which improve the health and beauty of the environment.
Date: 2011-09-06
September is Tourism and Heritage Month in South Africa, South African National Parks (SANParks) is once again giving free accesses to the parks during SA National Parks Week from 12-16 September 2011, the free access is open to all South Africans.
Date: 2011-09-02
In keeping with the September-spirit of Heritage Month, South African National Parks (SANParks) is once again opening up its parks during SANParks Week with free, open access to all South Africans. The 2011 Annual SANParks Week is scheduled for 12 to 16 September 2011.
Date: 2011-09-02
Nobel Peace Prize winners Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and former State President FW de Klerk have pledged their support for Table Mountain in the race to be named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Date: 2011-09-01
The annual 2011 SANParks Week will once again will take place on 12-18 September 2010 throughout all national parks which fall under South African National Parks. Kruger National Park (KNP) will have a series of activities which will take place during that period of which the aim is to create awareness around the National Parks of this country.
Date: 2011-08-31
Recent rainfalls experienced in the Bontebok National Park have damaged some of our roads.
Date: 2011-08-30
On Friday 26 August, Golden Gate Highlands National Park scooped three awards at the Professional Management Review (PMR) Awards held at the Bains Game Loge in Bloemfontein.
Date: 2011-08-25
The nominations for the 7th Annual Kudu Awards are now open, the call for nomination is open to members of the public to nominate individuals, groups or companies they believe have made a significant contribution towards conservation in the available categories.
Date: 2011-08-22
The Kruger National Park's (KNP's) HOD: Technical Services, Blake Schraader presented the certificates to 150 emerging contractors in Skukuza on Friday, August 19, 2011. 
Date: 2011-08-16
West Coast National Park’s (WCNP's) Honorary Rangers (HR) on Friday, 5 August officially opened the brand new Preekstoel Information Centre. 
Date: 2011-08-15
The Pedal Power Association (PPA) on Saturday handed over a new dog to join Table Mountain National Park’s (TMNP's) visitor safety dog unit through the “Gift-a-Patrol-Dog Campaign”.
Date: 2011-08-10
There were more good rains at the start of August for the Skilpad Section of the Namaqua National Park. The coastal areas received good rains as well.
Date: 2011-08-05
All tourist roads – except for the Lammertjiesleegte route – are closed today in Karoo National Park due to heavy overnight rain.
Date: 2011-08-04
In a tribute to the Rangers (the living and those who passed on in their line of duty), the Managing Executive of Kruger National Park (KNP), Abe Sibiya handed over the trees to the Rangers at the International Ranger Day celebration on Monday, 1 August 2011 at Letaba Camp.
Date: 2011-08-04
Update on Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Ranger employment:
Date: 2011-08-03
Golden Gate Highlands National Park (GGHNP); together with the Drakensberg Boys Choir and the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Honorary Rangers will be hosting a musical festival at Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets from 9th -10th September 2011.
Date: 2011-08-03
We are hosting a fun writing competition to celebrate Addo Elephant National Park’s 80th birthday!
Date: 2011-08-03
The country’s body charged with the management of national parks, South African National Parks (SANParks) will officially launch the 2011 SA National Parks Week (SANPW) in the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park on Monday, 12 September 2011.
Date: 2011-07-29
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) today launched its latest limited entry access card - My Green Card – which was produced in association with Hi-Tec.
Date: 2011-07-27
Camdeboo National Park’s People & Conservation Department has been engaging learners in meaningful interactions in the Park.
Date: 2011-07-27
Addo Elephant National Park is celebrating 80 years of conservation and tourism excellence this month.
Date: 2011-07-26
Snow has descended upon our Golden Gate Highlands National Park and what a s
ight it is!
Date: 2011-07-26
Please note that all communication lines at Karoo National Park are currently down.
Date: 2011-07-26
The CEO of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda announced today that one of the Ranger Corps, based in the Kruger National Park (KNP) was arrested for suspected rhino poaching activities yesterday, July 25, 2011.
Date: 2011-07-21
A Cape Mountain Zebra foal was born on Tuesday, July 19th, in the Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). A foal was last born over 9 years ago and as a result; staff are monitoring the newcomer very carefully.
Date: 2011-07-21
Karoo National Park is currently experiencing power problems because of a damaged transformer. The Park is in the process of sourcing a replacement.
Date: 2011-07-20
Karoo National Park shone at SANParks’ Frontier Region Awards, held in Graaff-Reinet at the end of last week, with many staff members receiving accolades for their outstanding work.
Date: 2011-07-20
Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) once again shot to the top of the ranks, scooping four major awards during SANParks’ Frontier Region Awards, held in Graaff-Reinet at the end of last week.
Date: 2011-07-18
South African National Parks (SANParks) is in the process of sourcing experts to assist with the upgrading of the Fossil Trail in Karoo National Park.
Date: 2011-07-18
Visitors to Karoo National Park should note the following:
Date: 2011-07-18
On 18 July, 2010 South African National Parks (SANParks) celebrated Mandela Day with an array of activities to honour Mandela’s wish which is, ‘all South Africans should never give up on the belief in goodness’.
Date: 2011-07-11
Monday, July 18, 2011 will be the 93rd birthday of former president Nelson Mandela and the whole world will be celebrating this day. The Kruger National Park (KNP) in conjunction with Keystone State Boys choir (KSB) from USA will on the day hold a “happy birthday musical performance” to honour the life, of this international icon who has been an inspiration to many nations all over the world.
Date: 2011-07-11
During 2010 South African National Parks invited suitably qualified and experienced service providers to submit proposals for the following tenders - these have now been cancelled:
Date: 2011-07-08
If you’re visiting Kruger National Park (KNP) why not take advantage of the winter specials at the Skukuza Indigenous Nursery. If you visit between the 2 -17 July 2011 - you can grab our “buy one get one free” promotion.
Date: 2011-07-07
All guests and day visitors to the Tsitsikamma section (Storms River Rest Camp) of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) are hereby informed that access to the Storms River Trail leading to the suspension bridge (crossing over Storms River) has been closed with immediate effect. 
Date: 2011-07-06
An opinion piece has been published in the Sowetan’s online publication titled: “Vestiges of racism haunt Kruger Park”.
Date: 2011-07-06
There are those unsung heroes in the world but at SANParks – we believe in commending these heroes. The Virtual Honorary Rangers (VHRs) are but one small part of the Honorary Rangers that serve SANParks through their passionate volunteerism.
Date: 2011-06-30
A joint operational team consisting of Kruger National Park (KNP) Rangers, Environmental Crime Investigation Unit (ECI) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) arrested three suspected rhino poachers today, June 30, 2011 in the Houtboschrand ranger section of the KNP near the Olifants River.
Date: 2011-06-29
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has made it known of its plans to reach out to communities in areas adjacent to national parks under its management through a 1% community levy charged on every booking booked for next year.
Date: 2011-06-27
It is quite early in the season but Namaqua National Park is already getting a great deal of enquiries of what is expected for the upcoming flower season. This is difficult to predict but will attempt to post regular updates.
Date: 2011-06-24
The SANParks Honorary Rangers movement is proud to announce the launch of their new website.
Date: 2011-06-24
The African penguin juvenile birds ferried off the Addo Elephant National Park’s Bird Island in May this year have been released back onto the island following successful rehabilitation efforts.
Date: 2011-06-22
Pretoria: The country’s body charged with the management and protection of the national parks system, all its environs and heritage, South African National Parks (SANParks) was the recipient of over 1 000 rhino DNA sample kits from the Faculty of Veterinary Services of the University of Pretoria (UP) this afternoon.
Date: 2011-06-20
There have been many facility closures as well as one road closure due to the recent flooding at the Augrabies Falls National Park.
Date: 2011-06-20
The Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, officially opened a state-of-the-art Environmental Educational Center in the 67 000ha Marakele National Park outside Thabazimbi, Limpopo this morning (Monday 20th June 2011).
Date: 2011-06-20
In recognition of the South African National Park’s (SANPark’s) continued conservation initiatives in the garden route area - Hi Tec has presented Garden Route National Park’s (GRNP’s) rangers with some of their durable shoes. Hi-Tec Altitude IV and Glide hiking boots were given to 38 rangers in the Tsitsikamma Section.
Date: 2011-06-14
The Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) will re-open to the public on 16 June 2011 after the recent floods that hit that area. There has been a successful clean-up of the Ebb and Flow Rest Camp.
Date: 2011-06-09
Visitors to Golden Gate Highlands National Park on the 9th of June 2011 were treated to nature’s spectacular unveiling of winter in the Free State. The snowfall yesterday and this morning turned the park into a white wonderland.
Accommodation Availability information slightly out of sync
Date: 2011-06-08
Please be aware that there is a slight delay in the update of the accommodation availability online.
Apologies for the inconvenience.
Date: 2011-06-08
Wilderness Rest Camp in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) is currently being evacuated due to the flooding of its river; and is closed until further notice.
Date: 2011-06-06
Two rhino poachers were arrested in the Kruger National Park (KNP) by a combined SANParks, SANDF and SAPS operation on Friday the 3rd June, 2011, shortly after 2 white rhino were shot and killed and their horns removed in the Nwanedsi area of the KNP.
Date: 2011-06-02
SANParks has announced that the construction of the planned camping site development in Camdeboo National Park has been temporarily delayed for reasons relating to the environmental impact application process.
Date: 2011-06-01
Have you ever wanted to read about accommodations in Italian or German? Our website now offers vital tourism information for the 19 National Parks in five foreign languages - Spanish, German, French, Portuguese and Italian.
Date: 2011-05-31
The South African National Parks (SANParks) announced the first ever Flowers Beach Camp in Namaqua National Park is now available to the travel trade at a discount.
Date: 2011-05-25
Blazing drums, lively dancers and jubilant voices today heralded the official opening of a new training centre which is set to provide vital empowerment training to members of local communities surrounding the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2011-05-25
South African National Parks (SANParks) CEO Dr David Mabunda responds to an article published in the Beeld, dated 20 May 2011.
Date: 2011-05-24
Seventeen buffalo have been captured in Camdeboo National Park to reduce numbers and maintain the condition of the herd.
Date: 2011-05-20
A joint operational team consisting of Kruger National Park (KNP) Rangers and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) came into contact with three suspected poachers yesterday afternoon, 18 May 2011. A shoot-out ensued which led to all suspects being fatally wounded.
Date: 2011-05-20
South African National Parks (SANParks) CEO Dr David Mabunda responds to an article published in the Beeld, dated 10 May 2011.
Date: 2011-05-20
Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site in partnership with Polokwane Museum; join the worldwide community of museums to celebrate International Museum Day on 20th May 2011.
Date: 2011-05-19
Stay at any of the Cape Region’s South African National Parks during June or July and get a 20% discount off your accommodation or camping rates. This offer is available from 1 June to 31 July 2011 with rates starting as low from R320!
Date: 2011-05-17
Table Mountain is one of only 28 natural sites from around the globe shortlisted to be named one of the Official New7Wonders of Nature.
Date: 2011-05-17
Ninety-four juvenile African penguins are being ferried off Bird Island, which is part of Addo Elephant National Park, today to ensure their survival after their condition deteriorated.
Date: 2011-05-10
In a gesture of goodwill, the Germiston’s Rotaract Club presented the Kruger National Park's (KNP's) Managing Executive, Abe Sibiya with a consignment of 15 wheel chairs on Friday, May 6, 2011.
Date: 2011-05-09
South African National Parks (SANParks) wish to inform the tourism industry of the closure of the Nguni Lodge concession in the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2011-05-06
Day Visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) are encouraged to take note of gate quotas which will strictly be enforced, when planning their visit to the park during this coming Easter weekend which starts on Thursday, 21 to Monday, 25 April 2011.
Date: 2011-05-04
The majority of tourists who visited the Kruger National Park (KNP) during the recent Easter holidays responded positively towards the alcohol ban regulation which the park introduced.
Date: 2011-05-03
South African National Parks (SANParks) has released a short synopsis of its key markets.
Date: 2011-04-28
You may have an upcoming function, an event or wedding – well look no further for a venue. Natures Valley Rest Camp of the Tsitsikamma section in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) will be opened for group bookings as from 10 May 2011 until 31 October 2011.
Date: 2011-04-26
Bontebok National Park launched its new “My Green Card” on 21 April 2011.
Date: 2011-04-26
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced in a statement on Sunday, 24 April 2011 that while on patrols in the various parts of the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Saturday, 23 April 2011 the SANParks rangers and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), came across two groups of suspected poachers.
Date: 2011-04-26
Yearning for those rocky shores and sounds of the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean – why not book a stay at the Garden Route National Park’s (GRNP’s) Storms River Rest Camp and get a 25% discount as a bonus.
Date: 2011-04-15
SANParks’ Honorary Rangers at Addo Elephant National Park are organising their 6th annual golf day on Thursday, 12 May 2011 at Port Elizabeth Golf Club in Port Elizabeth.
Date: 2011-04-14
The Kruger National Park's (KNP's) Managing Executive, Abe Sibiya presented tour guides from the local communities with four open safari vehicles (OSV) yesterday (Wednesday, April 13, 2011).
Date: 2011-04-13
Online Bookings will be offline tonight, 13 April 2011 from 19:30pm to 20:30pm SAST.
Date: 2011-04-12
Last week Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) responded to tree felling questions in the Tokai and Cecilia plantations through a letter to the editor of the Cape Times.
Date: 2011-04-12
It all started with a call on the forum by BunnyHugger (a forumite) in November 2009. Many forumites responded and the decision was made to camp-out and clean-up during Easter weekend (21-24 April 2011). Yes, you must plan ahead.
Date: 2011-04-11
In an exciting new development, cheetah tracking and guided walk activities have now opened to visitors in Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP).
Date: 2011-04-06
The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced today that the organisation will be dispatching armed rangers in the Table Mountain National Park.
Date: 2011-04-05
In response to factually incorrect reports published by certain print and broadcast media, South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued a statement clarifying that a robbery affecting two British tourists did not happen in the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2011-04-05
The last day in the month in March (31 March 2011) was indeed a historic day when the first new Wild Cards were posted. The new Wild Card hosts the name Earth, and will certainly orbit our planet.
Date: 2011-04-04
An opinion piece by the CEO of SANParks Dr David Mabunda has been published in today's (4 April 2011) publication of The New Age.
Date: 2011-04-04
During the month of February we launched the “Responsible Tourism Survey” and a winner has been randomly chosen.
Date: 2011-03-31
The Board of South African National Parks (SANParks) confirmed yesterday, at its quarterly meeting held at Groenkloof, that it still stands by the decision to develop two safari hotel type tourism facilities in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2011-03-31
They all came, the kitted; the unkitted; the experienced; and “got the new car on Tuesday” novice 4x4 drivers to the SANParks Honorary Rangers’ 4x4 training course hosted by Adventure 4x4 Academy at the Zookamma Training Track on 5 and 6 March 2011.
Date: 2011-03-30
Due to vital maintenance on tourist roads in the Karoo National Park, sections of the Potlekkertjie Loop will be closed until further notice.
Date: 2011-03-29
The 2010 SANParks Photographic Competition is now open for submissions from 21 March 2011 until 21 April 2011!
Date: 2011-03-29
Both Tatasberg Wilderness Camp and Richtersveld Camp Site at the Richtersveld National Park have been closed for reservations up to 10 June 2011 due to flood damage.
Date: 2011-03-24
The recently introduced alcohol ban for day visitors in the Kruger National Park (KNP) which got-off-the-ground this past long weekend (March 18-21, 2011), is hailed by management as a great success.
Date: 2011-03-24
All guests and day visitors to the Tsitsikamma Section (Storms River Rest Camp) of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) are hereby informed that the construction of a retaining wall has commenced.
Date: 2011-03-24
Kruger's Mopani Rest Camp has introduced a new activity, the Sunset Drive-Boma Combo. Bookings are now open!
Date: 2011-03-23
Paisley Productions, in association with South African National Parks (SANParks), will present a fresh, inspirational and humorous family musical ‘African Adventure’ at The Fringe at Joburg Theatre from 14 April for a limited season until 5 May 2011.
Date: 2011-03-22
In the recent weeks, South African National Parks (SANParks) has been in the media concerning upcoming developments in the Kruger National Park (KNP) - we have decided to give you a breakdown of these developments.
Date: 2011-03-22
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the opening of bookings for the first ever Flowers Beach Camp in Namaqua National Park.
Date: 2011-03-22
SANParks are offering fantastic discounts on eight of the Wilderness Trails in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2011-03-18
Johannesburg: The country’s authority charged with the management of all national parks, South African National Parks (SANParks) launched a natural history documentary titled ‘South African Conservation Success Story’ last night (Thursday, 17 March 2011) at Monte Casino, IL Grande Theatre and Lounge in collaboration with Peter Flack Productions and important entities in the wildlife management and hunting industry in South Africa.
Date: 2011-03-18
Addo Elephant National Park has received heavy rain – 115mm so far - over the course of this morning, however it remains open.
Date: 2011-03-16
South African National Parks (SANParks) has welcomed a successful conviction of three suspected rhino poachers that appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Monday, 14 March 2011.
Date: 2011-03-14
The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced at Pretoria today that to date (2011) South Africa has lost 71 rhinos.
SANParks CEO responds to Dr Salomon Joubert’s anti-development media statements
Date: 2011-03-11
In responding to the article published by The Star on 06 March 2011 written by Dr Salomon Joubert and titled “Using hotels to raise cash for Kruger Park not the answer” it is important to dispel a few “myths” which have been perpetuated in this article first. Read more..
Date: 2011-03-10
Five local runners from the Kirkwood community are gearing up to take part in the 50mile and 25mile Addo Trail Runs which takes place in Addo Elephant National Park on Saturday, 12 March.
Date: 2011-03-09
Day visitors to the Kruger National Park will no longer be allowed to bring or consume alcohol in public areas such as parking lots, picnic sites, wildlife viewing areas or roads, gates and all other areas designated as public as from Friday 18 March 2011.
Date: 2011-03-08
Skukuza: Following media reports that hotel establishments in the Kruger National Park (KNP) will bring the end to the character of national parks and sense of place, the South African National Parks (SANParks), Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Mabunda challenged the validity of these claims.
Date: 2011-03-07
The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, says the rising rhino poaching scourge is a cause for concern. Molewa has called for more public involvement in the efforts to reduce rhino poaching in the country.
Date: 2011-03-01
South African National Parks (SANParks) is offering special rates to reservations made through the SANParks online booking system for selected Parks and Camps during January 2012.
Date: 2011-02-28
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP’s) Head of People and Conservation, Helen Mmethi presented on behalf of Management, the Sports Coordinator, Annah Milazi of Alexandria Lower Primary School with a complete soccer kit for school children on Wednesday February 16, 2011.
Date: 2011-02-23
The Bontebok National Park's shop speed point (credit card machine) is now back online.
Date: 2011-02-18
The purpose of this survey is to get a perspective of visitors’ views of Responsible Tourism.
Date: 2011-02-17
The Alexandria Hiking Trail in Addo Elephant National Park has been temporarily closed for a week.
Date: 2011-02-14
The Forums will be offline today, 14 February 2011 from 12:00 to 14:00 SAST.
Date: 2011-02-11
It has indeed been a long wait for the announcement of the winners for the 2010 Writing Competition.
Date: 2011-02-11
The South African National Parks (SANParks) would like to put it on record that the recent Leopard attack in North West did not happen in any of its parks. The attack happened outside a privately owned game farm near Britz not in Marakele National Park as it was reported in the media.
Date: 2011-02-09
Due to an overwhelming response to the 4x4 training course scheduled for 5 March 2011, the SANPark’s Honorary Rangers, Addo Region has decided to extend the course to Sunday, 6 March 2011.
Date: 2011-02-07
The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced at Pretoria today, 07 February 2011, that during the evening of 6th February 2011, park rangers operating in the Stolsnek Section of the Kruger National Park made contact with a group of at least five armed suspected poachers in the park.
Date: 2011-02-03
It was with great sadness that Dr David Mabunda, Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), the SANParks Board and staff, heard of the death of Dr Tol Pienaar on 02 February 2011.
Date: 2011-02-01
Thinking of an affordable getaway and lazy days in the sun? Why not try the Parks – we are offering a 40% discount when you make reservations through our online booking system for accommodation or camping, subject to availability.
Date: 2011-01-31
The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced at Pretoria today that in the month of January 2011 South Africa has lost 21 rhinos.
Date: 2011-01-27
The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, unveiled at Pretoria today, 27 January 2011, a new weapon to be used against rhino poaching.
Date: 2011-01-26
The S3 Road (gravel road towards Kruger Gate) in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is temporarily closed until further notice. Maintenance work will be done from the S3 road to the S3/S1 junction.
Date: 2011-01-21
The office of SANParks, Chief Executive, Dr David Mabunda has been inundated with scores of reports on the bad behavior of tourists, mainly day visitors, in the Kruger National Park (KNP) over the festive season. While this is not a new phenomenon the scale at which these incidents are growing has reached intolerable levels.
Date: 2011-01-21
The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced at Pretoria today, 21 January 2011, that a Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr Andre Charles Uys, appeared in the Musina Magistrate Court on charges related to illegal rhino activities.
Date: 2011-01-13
Following an alleged racism incident between visitors in the iconic Kruger National Park (KNP) during the festive season, South African National Parks (SANParks) – the countries body charged with the management of national parks including the KNP strongly condemns the incident and promise to leave no stone unturned in dealing with the matter.
Calling on all avid web developers!
Date: 2011-01-13
Would you like to work for SANParks? We are looking for highly skilled, dynamic and experienced PHP developer to be a part of our E-Business team. Think you have the skills? Don't delay, apply now as the closing date is 30 January 2011! Read more.
Date: 2011-01-11
The Addo Honorary Rangers, in association with Adventure 4x4 Academy in Port Elizabeth, will be hosting a 4x4 training course where all funds raised from this event will assist SANParks to combat rhino poaching in the Eastern Cape.
Date: 2011-01-11
The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced at Pretoria today that in 2010 South Africa lost 333 rhino with 162 suspected poachers having been arrested in relation to the crime.
Date: 2011-01-07
After the recent floods, campsite and accommodation bookings are now available as from 17 March 2011.
Date: 2010-12-22
The Park News for the Cape Region has released it's October edition highlighting soccer fever within the region, SANParks Week, as well as new appointments.
Date: 2010-12-20
Christmas is at hand and Day Visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) are encouraged to be aware of gate quotas when planning their visit.
Date: 2010-12-14
Kruger National Park (KNP) will, as a pilot project, introduce the mopani worm harvesting in the Nxanatseni (northern) Region of the park between Punda Maria and Phalaborwa areas from 15 to 28 December 2010.
Welcome to the newly redesigned SANParks website!
Date: 2010-12-14
It is our intention to make this a thrilling experience for you - one that, we hope, comes close to being in a park. Either way, we welcome your feedback on how we can make it all even better. Please take a minute to participate in our poll.
Read the latest on the Wild Card Replacement System
Date: 2010-12-10
South African National Parks (SANParks), and the Wild Card Team are hard at work preparing for the roll out of our “New” Wild Card programme.
Date: 2010-12-09
The Kruger National Park's (KNP’s) Managing Executive, Abe Sibiya today (Thursday, December 9, 2010) at Skukuza officially received a cash donation of R105 000 00 from Jacaranda RMFM which is intended to assist the KNP with its fight against rhino poaching and the conservation thereof.
Date: 2010-12-09
Forty-nine endangered African penguin juveniles were given a new lease of life today when they where successfully released onto Bird Island following a rehabilitation process.
Date: 2010-12-08
The Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Mr Abe Sibiya officially opened the new Crocodile Bridge and Gate facilities yesterday (Tuesday, December 7, 2010).
Date: 2010-12-08
In less than a week, visitors to Addo Elephant National Park will be able to experience a new way of overnighting in the national park.
Date: 2010-12-07
Kruger National Park (KNP) traffic officers received new speed cameras recently to assist them to clamp down on rule breakers. The new equipment, which came at the right time, will be in full force during the 2010 December festive season when the volume of visitors to the Park will be high.
Date: 2010-12-03
Get fantastic specials when you make bookings for Garden Route National Park’s (GRNP’s) Wilderness Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp during 2011.
Date: 2010-12-03
Kruger National Park (KNP) - To promote a better understanding of indigenous trees and the role they play in people’s surroundings, the Skukuza Nursery started an initiative called “A Can for Conservation” during this year’s Arbour Week (1 – 7 September 2010).
Date: 2010-11-30
Conservationists were awarded for their impeccable work towards the conservation of our parks at a glamorous affair held at the newly renovated Golden Gate Hotel on Thursday, 25 November 2010.
Date: 2010-11-26
Tonight we celebrate achievements in the field of conservation at different scales. We have come to salute all the men and women who have done us proud by performing their tasks beyond the call of duty. Well done to all the receipients of awards tonight (25 November 2010).
Date: 2010-11-25
Kruger National Park (KNP) - Mopani Conference Centre will host the Honorary Rangers from different regions who will be busy with a programme called “People Awareness and Education” (PEAP).
Date: 2010-11-23
The old suspension bridge at the Tsitsikamma Section’s Storms River mouth of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) is now open again.
Date: 2010-11-23
The Online Booking System is back up again – and you can now continue to make your reservations.
Date: 2010-11-23
As you can see SANParks has launched a fresh, new, modern look and feel website. This is only one of our milestones – we have also launched SANParks.Mobi and implemented significant enhancements to the Online Booking system.
Date: 2010-11-22
South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today that while on patrol in the early evening of 21 November 2010 rangers from the Kruger National Park (KNP) fatally wounded a suspected poacher inside the park.
Date: 2010-11-12
Three weeks ago we launched the new Wild Card and with any new product – many inquiries have been posed by members.
Date: 2010-11-11
Lions were released in Karoo National Park near Beaufort West yesterday for the first time after an absence of almost 170 years from the area.
Date: 2010-11-02
In response to misleading reports in the media, South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued a statement clarifying that the recent death of a man from a lion attack did not take place inside the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2010-10-27
Addo Elephant National Park Rangers have arrested a diver in possession of abalone near Bird Island in the Eastern Cape’s Algoa Bay in the early hours of this morning.
Date: 2010-10-21
Camdeboo National Park will host its second Birding Weekend from Friday 5 November to Sunday 7 November 2010.
Date: 2010-10-20
We want you to know that we hear you, our loyal users. We are aware of your concerns as we have been inundated with calls and online queries since the launch of our new Wild Card. We humbly ask that you bear with us during this period of change.
Date: 2010-10-19
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the change in the management of the Wild Card from Infinity with immediate effect.
Date: 2010-10-15
During the afternoon of 14th October 2010, rangers in the Kruger National Park (KNP) deployed in the Crocodile Bridge section of the KNP engaged a group of at least three (3) suspected rhino poachers shortly after they entered the park from Mozambique.
Date: 2010-10-15
South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a statement yesterday that tourists planning to visit the Marakele National Park in Thabazimbi this week are free to book and make use of the park following a fire blaze in the mountainous area of the park.
Date: 2010-10-14
For the third year in a row, Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) took the honours for both Best Performing Park and Best Performing Camp at the recent South African National Parks (SANParks) Achievement Awards for the National Parks in the Frontier Region held in Graaff-Reinet.
Date: 2010-10-14
Karoo National Park scooped the awards for both Reception of the Year and Gate of the Year at the recent South African National Parks (SANParks) Achievement Awards for the National Parks in the Frontier Region, held in Graaff-Reinet.
Date: 2010-10-14
South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today that two armed suspected poachers were shot in the Kruger National Park (KNP) by rangers yesterday, 13 October 2010. One of the poachers was fatally wounded, while the other is being treated in hospital for gunshot wounds.
Date: 2010-10-13
More than 150 golfers from both private and public sector will meet and show their mettle on the fairways of Skukuza Golf Course on Thursday, 14 October 2010 as they compete in the 6th annual Kruger National Park (KNP)/Old Mutual Corporate Golf Day.
Date: 2010-10-12
The old suspension bridge at the Tsitsikamma Section’s Storms River mouth of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) will be temporarily closed due to scheduled maintenance work.
Date: 2010-10-12
Tsitsikamma Section's Storms River Rest Camp of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) has changed gate times to be implemented as of 1 November 2010.
Date: 2010-10-07
Short hiking trails in the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) have re-opened to visitors following their closure in mid July after a fatal incident between a hiker and a buffalo bull.
Date: 2010-10-07
The 3rd Annual Mondi Herald Addo Mountain Bike Challenge takes place on Sunday, 31st October 2010 in the rugged Zuurberg Mountain region of the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2010-10-07
South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced that its decision to withdraw from the Court Application for the eviction of illegally erected dwellings adjacent to the Hangberg settlement in Hout Bay, Cape Town, was made after having taken cognisance of a number of pertinent factors negatively affecting the matter.
Date: 2010-09-29
The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, and the Chief Executive of South African National Parks, Dr David Mabunda, today launched the Kudu Green School Initiative in Pretoria.
Date: 2010-09-27
Addo Elephant National Park's fax line on (042) 233 8643 is currently out of order.
Date: 2010-09-21
Kruger National Park (KNP) is expecting a high volume of visitors to enter the park during this coming Heritage Day long weekend from Friday, 24 to Sunday, 26 September 2010.
Date: 2010-09-14
The General Manager of KNP’s Nxanatseni Region, Ben van Eeden addressed 40 learners who are in Grade 10 and 11 from the Mopani Region schools to the launch of the “Walk on the Wild” side project yesterday at Mopani Rest Camp.
Date: 2010-09-13
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, announced the week long free access to South Africans at most South African national parks at the official opening of SA National Parks Week 2010 in Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape.
Date: 2010-09-09
The Annual 2010 SANParks Week once again will take place on 13-17 September 2010 throughout all national parks which fall under South African National Parks.
Date: 2010-09-09
From Monday, 13 September until Friday, 17 September, the country’s body charged with the management of national parks, SANParks will allow locals with valid identity documents an opportunity to spend a day at a national park of their choice free of charge.
Date: 2010-09-08
The Chief Executive of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced today, 08 September 2010, at the organisation’s head office in Pretoria that there has been no official correspondence from the City of Cape Town to indicate that the municipality wants to take over the management of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) or to take SANParks to Court over the issue of baboon management in Cape Town.
Date: 2010-09-07
To celebrate Heritage Month, South African National Parks (SANParks) is offering you the chance to experience your natural heritage for free during SA National Parks Week.
Date: 2010-09-07
To celebrate Heritage Month, South African National Parks (SANParks) is offering you the chance to experience your natural heritage for free during SA National Parks Week.
Date: 2010-09-07
To celebrate Heritage Month, South African National Parks (SANParks) is offering you the chance to experience your natural heritage for free during SA National Parks Week.
Date: 2010-09-06
The polls have been completed and the results are in for the 2010 Forum Amateur Photo Competition.
Date: 2010-09-04
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP's) Managing Executive, Abe Sibiya received a donation of 150 baboon-proof stainless steel dustbins from Nampak as represented by SANParks Honorary Rangers on Friday, September 3, 2010.
Date: 2010-09-01
Today South African National Parks (SANParks) announced that it would like to wish all its patrons a happy Spring Day as its employees celebrate the first day of spring at its Head Office, Groenkloof National Park.
Date: 2010-08-30
Those with a flair for photography and a passion for nature stand a chance of winning prizes worth thousands of rands by capturing the essence of the greater Addo Park.
Date: 2010-08-30
The HOD: Finance, Victor Makhubedu today (Monday, August 30, 2010) officially received 300 pairs of protective eyewear for each ranger in the Park from CAT International at the Skukuza Conference Centre on behalf of KNP Management.
Date: 2010-08-23
Telephone lines have been restored at Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) and are working again.
Date: 2010-08-20
History was made today when the boundary fence between two sections of Addo Elephant National Park was taken down, providing new habitat for many of the Park’s wildlife species.
Date: 2010-08-18
A group of 40 red-billed oxpeckers will be flown into the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) near Cradock this week.
Date: 2010-08-16
A Cape mountain zebra, an endangered species, has been shot by a poacher in the Darlington Dam area of the Addo Elephant National Park.
The zebra carcass – that of a young stallion – was found by rangers during a routine patrol on the morning of 11 August.
Date: 2010-08-16
Opening the World Protected Areas Leadership Forum (WPALF) this morning at Skukuza, in the KNP, the CE of SANParks, Dr David Mabunda said the hosting of a forum such as WPALF could not have come at a better time for Protected Areas world-wide, particularly as governments are at this stage wrestling with the effects of the recent economic recession.
Date: 2010-08-13
South African National Parks (SANParks) will be hosting the World Protected Areas Leadership Forum from 16-19 August 2010, at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park (KNP) .
Date: 2010-08-11
The swimming pools at Shingwedzi and Satara Rest Camps in the Kruger National Park (KNP) are temporarily closed.
Date: 2010-08-06
South African National Parks (SANParks) has extended the deadline for entries into the 6th Annual Kudu Awards, to Monday, 16 August 2010.
Date: 2010-08-06
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the official opening of the 2010 South African National Parks Week will take place on Monday, 13 September 2010 at Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape.
Date: 2010-08-04
The Online Booking System will be offline this evening, 4 August 2010 from 7pm SAST for a maximum of 5 hours.
Date: 2010-07-28
South African National Parks (SANParks) confirmed today (Wednesday, 28 July) that the total figure for rhinos poached in the country since January this year, is 152.
Date: 2010-07-26
South African National Parks (SANParks) wishes to clarify that a rape incident which took place on Saturday 24 July, did not happen in the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2010-07-16
Ganakoeriep Wilderness Camp in the Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park will be officially placed on the online booking system for reservations as from 1 August 2010.
Date: 2010-07-15
Given that Mandela Day falls on a Sunday, South African National Parks (SANParks) will be honouring Former President Nelson Mandela’s call to dedicate 67 minutes of time to the service of our communities on Friday, 16 July 2010.
Date: 2010-07-14
South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today that the Kruger National Park (KNP) Rangers arrested another Mozambican suspected poacher in the national park on Monday evening, 12 July 2010.
Date: 2010-07-13
All Hiking Trails in the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) have been closed with immediate effect until further notice.
Date: 2010-07-13
A man has been killed and another two women and a man injured by a buffalo bull on a hiking trail in Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP).
Date: 2010-07-13
The three hikers who survived the attack by a buffalo bull on a hiking trail in Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) yesterday are in a stable condition in a Port Elizabeth hospital.
Date: 2010-07-12
The South African National Parks (SANParks) Environmental Crime Investigation (ECI) team and rangers arrested four suspected poachers in the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Saturday, 10 July 2010.
Date: 2010-07-08
On the Easter weekend and again on the weekend of 23 to 27 April 2010, a group of 16 Honorary Rangers (HRs) of the West Rand Region began the task of opening the Tsugulu 4X4 Eco Route.
Date: 2010-07-02
In an exciting new development, South African National Parks (SANParks) has commenced with the construction of a bush camp in the Camdeboo National Park in the Eastern Cape.
Date: 2010-07-01
Are you seeking an adventurous outdoor experience – then the 4X4 Lebombo Eco Trail is something to try! Currently, there are two 4x4 vehicles available for the Lebombo Eco Trail on 11 July 2010. So, go on make that booking!!
Date: 2010-07-01
The South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a statement today (Thursday, 1 July 2010) that rhino poaching throughout the country continues to escalate at an unprecedented rate since the beginning of the year.
Date: 2010-07-01
The Park News for the Cape Region has released it's June edition highlighting soccer fever within the region, the celebration of the Kudu Awards, as well as new appointments.
Date: 2010-06-29
From 1 - 14 August 201 an archaeological excursion will again be conducted at one of the outposts of the Steinaecker’s Horse unit in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2010-06-29
The 12th West Rand Honorary Rangers' Kruger National Park (KNP) Birding Weekend held in January this year was once again a great success.
Date: 2010-06-25
Mountain Zebra National Park has joined forces with guesthouses, restaurants and shops in Cradock to provide a wealth of entertainment for those who want a quiet and quaint getaway from the World Cup crowds.
Date: 2010-06-21
Dr. David Mabunda, Chief Executive of South African National Parks (SANParks), announced today that if Bafana Bafana got through to the next round of the World Cup, SANParks would offer the members of the current squad, a weekend holiday, with their families, at the world renowned Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2010-06-17
Extreme winds and cold, wet weather have taken their toll on the breeding colonies of African penguins on Addo Elephant National Park’s islands in the Eastern Cape.
Date: 2010-06-17
After heavy losses of penguin chicks due to extreme winds and cold, wet weather, the colony of African penguins on the Addo Elephant National Park’s Bird Island in the Eastern Cape has been given relief by clearing weather.
Date: 2010-06-15
Staff at Addo Elephant National Park have been counting down the days to the start of the Soccer World Cup.
Date: 2010-06-15
Kruger National Park (KNP) Field Rangers shot and injured a suspected rhino poacher whom they arrested yesterday (Monday, June 14, 2010) in the Vlakteplaas area.
Date: 2010-06-14
Storms River Rest Camp in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) is currently offering a 20% discount on all its accommodation from this month to the end of August.
Date: 2010-06-14
The Kruger National Park (KNP) is offering guests that stay at Skukuza, Pretoriuskop and Berg-en-Dal who wish to attend the matches in Nelspruit / Mbombela the opportunity to travel there and back by bus on the match days, namely 16, 20, 23 and 26 June 2010.
Date: 2010-06-10
With its aim of building awareness about the dangers of litter to the environment, especially in a national park, the “Keep Kruger Clean” campaign has for the past four years, brought different stakeholders together to fight for a litter free Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2010-06-09
The current availability for web bookings is displaying delayed data due to technical difficulties.
Date: 2010-06-08
Kruger National Park's (KNP’s) Phalaborwa Rangers together with local police recovered two stolen trucks of a Hino Tipper 700 model at Malopeni area in the Phalaborwa Ranger Section on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.
Date: 2010-06-08
Disease-free buffalo from the Karoo and Camdeboo National Parks fetched top prices at the Kirkwood Wildlife Auction held in the Eastern Cape this past Saturday.
Date: 2010-06-07
The Online Booking System will be offline today and tomorrow, 08 June from 6:30pm to 12:00pm and 9 June from 7:30pm to 12pm - where routine maintenance work will be carried out.
Date: 2010-06-02
The management of the Kruger National Park (KNP) announced yesterday (Tuesday, 1 June 2010) that they will increase the quota on the number of people allowed to enter the KNP by 10% at each of its 10 gates.
Date: 2010-06-01
The Online Booking System will be affected by a planned downtime tomorrow, Wednesday, 2 June 2010 where routine maintenance work will be carried out.
Date: 2010-05-28
The South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a statement today (Friday, 28 May 2010) that rhino poaching throughout the country has escalated at an alarming rate since the beginning of the year.
Date: 2010-05-28
The forum accessibility issues have now been resolved. Forum members can now access the forum and post messages on threads.
Date: 2010-05-21
The planned Online Booking System downtime for today, 25 May 2010 has been postponed.
Date: 2010-05-21
South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Reach for a Dream Foundation have once again joined hands to give children an unforgettable experience.
Date: 2010-05-19
The Park News for the Cape Region has released it's second edition highlighting Table Mountain's race to win the New 7 Wonders of Nature Campaign as well as the promotion of Bontebok National Park.
Date: 2010-05-18
Entries for the 2010 South African National Parks (SANParks) Kudu Awards programme are streaming in.
Date: 2010-05-12
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is now open for tourists.
Date: 2010-05-11
Tankwa National Park is offering a fantastic 20% discount on all their accommodation – book now and discover the wonders of this park!
Date: 2010-05-10
With less than a month before the start of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the country’s body charged with the management of national parks, South African National Parks (SANParks) has embarked on a major product development boost in several of its national parks.
Date: 2010-05-10
In the world characterised by increasing visibility and business in the website environment South African National Parks (SANParks) reported today that it has achieved phenomenal growth in the performance of its website, www.sanparks.org in the last five years.
Date: 2010-05-07
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu yesterday (Thursday, May 6) urged Capetonians, their fellow South Africans and international fans to cast their vote for Table Mountain in the Official New7Wonders of Nature campaign.
Date: 2010-05-05
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently open for vehicles with higher ground clearance such as 4X4s, 4X2s and SUVs.
Date: 2010-05-05
The following piece is an Opinion/Editorial written by South African National Parks Chief Executive Dr David Mabunda.
Date: 2010-05-04
iKapa Honorary Rangers clean up graffiti painted on rocks in the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).
Date: 2010-05-04
Avid birders should not delay in making their bookings for the Sasol Addo Birding Weekend which will be held in Addo Elephant National Park from 15 to 17 October 2010.
Date: 2010-05-03
On Thursday, 22 April 2010, numerous visitors to Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) witnessed a fight between two elephant bulls that resulted in the death of the Park’s biggest tusker, Skukuza.
Date: 2010-05-03
The sixth successful 50-mile and the second 25-mile trail runswere hosted in Addo Elephant National Park on Saturday, 1 May 2010.
Date: 2010-05-03
One of the oldest tuskers in Kruger National Park (KNP), Duke has been fitted with a tracking collar in an effort to track his whereabouts should he die.
Date: 2010-04-30
The Online Booking system is back on track again.
Date: 2010-04-30
The Mata-Mata Rest Camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) was officially re-opened yesterday (Thursday, 29 April 2010) after an upgrade of the facilities.
Date: 2010-04-29
The Addo Honorary Rangers will be hosting a photographic course on 31 July 2010 at St John’s Anglican Church, c/o 8th Ave and Church Street, Walmer, between 09:00 and 15:00.
Date: 2010-04-28
The Addo Elephant National Park can now boast that it has its very own webcam where you’re sure to catch amazing views of the Park’s main attraction, the elephants.
Date: 2010-04-28
South African National Parks (SANParks) has extended the deadline for entries into the 6th Annual Kudu Awards, to Friday, 28 May 2010.
Date: 2010-04-23
The northern and southern approach of Mbiyamiti Weir at the S114/H2-2 junction in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has been temporarily closed due to flooding of the Mbiyamiti Weir.
Date: 2010-04-23
A second batch of reserved accommodation for the FIFA World Cup during the period 9 June 2010 to 3 July 2010 has been released by MATCH and is now available for bookings!
Date: 2010-04-22
The world celebrates the 40th Earth Day today, 22 April 2010, to highlight the constantly deteriorating condition of the environment and to educate the citizens of the world about how every individual can make a difference.
Date: 2010-04-21
The Online Booking system is up and running again.
Date: 2010-04-20
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently closed due to the overflowing of the low water bridge above Crocodile River after heavy rains last night.
Date: 2010-04-19
For a long time glitzy events that happened in big cities such as Johannesburg could only be watched, heard or read on the media but then came the Kruger National Park (KNP) Achievement Awards and suddenly life wandered into the jungle.
Date: 2010-04-15
The time for waiting is over – our Annual Writing Competition is back!
Date: 2010-04-12
The Letaba Rest Camp swimming pool in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has been temporarily closed from Friday, 9 April until Tuesday, 13 April 2010.
Date: 2010-04-07
On 12-13 March Groenkloof was once again the meeting venue for the Honorary Rangers NEC and the chairpersons from all over the country.
Date: 2010-04-07
On Friday 26 March members of the Kruger National Park (KNP) Management Committee (MANCO) and the Honorary Ranger (HR) regions as well as National Projects most active in the KNP met in Skukuza.
Date: 2010-04-06
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is temporarily closed due to severe flooding.
Date: 2010-04-01
The Honorary Rangers of the Addo Elephant National Park are organising their 5th Annual Golf Day on Thursday, 20 May 2010 at the Port Elizabeth Golf Club in Port Elizabeth.
Date: 2010-04-01
Addo Elephant National Park staff are mourning the tragic deaths of three of the Park’s marine rangers who were killed in a car accident near Alexandria early this morning.
Date: 2010-03-30
Even though a recession is upon us SANParks is always thinking of ways for you to enjoy your holiday break at reasonable rates - that is why we are offering fantastic discounts on three of the Wilderness Trails (Nyalaland, Bushman and Wolhuter) in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2010-03-30
Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) has recently renovated the two overnight cottages on the Impofu three-day hiking trail. This now serves a dual purpose where tourists can now book a cottage for hiking purposes or off-road enthusiasts can book a cottage without doing the hike.
Date: 2010-03-29
Getaway magazine celebrates 21 years of publishing in April and will mark the occasion with a special edition highlighting Southern Africa’s top 21 parks, as well as over R200 000 in reader prizes.
Date: 2010-03-29
Kruger National Park (KNP) is expecting a high volume of visitors to enter the park during this coming Easter weekend which starts on Thursday, April 1, 2010 to Monday, April 5, 2010 and therefore would like to warn, especially day visitors to take into consideration that gate quotas will strictly be enforced during this period.
Date: 2010-03-26
South African National Parks and Nashua Mobile joined forces to celebrate Global Earth Hour 2010 a day early at Groenkloof National Park today (26 March 2010).
Date: 2010-03-25
Two suspected rhino poachers, Joao Mdlovu and Berlito Mdlovu who were arrested on the Nwanetsi section of Kruger National Park (KNP) in January 2010 for rhino poaching activities were both found guilty for the possession of a illegal firearms.
Date: 2010-03-24
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is now open for tourists; all vehicles can now pass through.
Date: 2010-03-23
Kruger National Park (KNP) field rangers discovered a human skull of what is believed to be the remains of a suspected poacher who was devoured by lions on March 14, 2010.
Date: 2010-03-16
During a joint operation between South African National Parks (SANParks) marine rangers from Addo Elephant National Park and Marine & Coastal Management, a male suspect was arrested after being found in possession of abalone on Wednesday night, 10 March 2010.
Date: 2010-03-16
Addo Elephant National Park officially opened the new gate complex at the main entrance to the Park today.
Date: 2010-03-11
The booking system has been reinstated and the data is accurate and reliable. Note: maintenance downtime on Saturday, 13 March from 19:30 till 05:00 on Sunday, 14th March.
Date: 2010-03-11
Nominations for the 6th Annual Kudu Awards, organised by the South African National Parks (SANParks), are now open. We encourage members of the public to nominate individuals, groups or companies they feel have made a significant contribution towards conservation in the categories available.
Date: 2010-03-09
The annual Cricket@Skukuza event will be held this weekend 12-14 March at the Skukuza Cricket Ground in Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2010-03-09
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the launch of the Morula Kids Art Competition for 2010, which is the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) as well as the year that South Africa hosts the FIFA Soccer World Cup.
Date: 2010-03-05
Subsequent to the release of 14 731 room nights, which were previously contracted to MATCH Services, to the public by SANParks on Thursday, 4 March 2010, SANParks has announced that it had sold two-thirds of that inventory by midnight on that day.
Date: 2010-03-05
The Kruger National Park (KNP) will once again host scientists and researchers from around the world at the 8th annual Savanna Science Network Meeting whichwill take place from 7-12 March 2010 in the Gold Fields Auditorium in Skukuza.
Date: 2010-03-03
Shingwedzi Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) will be temporarily closed as it will be hosting a group of artists from 23 to 26 September 2010.
Date: 2010-03-03
The Day Visitor’s Area at the Pretoriuskop Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has been temporarily closed until further notice.
Date: 2010-03-02
South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today that a large portion of the accommodation reserved for the FIFA World Cup will be released to the general market from Thursday, 4 March 2010 at 7:30am.
Date: 2010-03-01
The Kruger National Park (KNP) will change from its current check-in and check-out times for guests with effect from Thursday, April 1, 2010. The check-in time will change from 12:00 to 14:00 while the check-out time will be changing from 09:00 to 10:00.
Date: 2010-02-24
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is now open for tourists.
Date: 2010-02-22
The Shingwedzi Rest Camp filling station in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is now open.
Date: 2010-02-19
The 2010 SANParks Photographic Competition is now open for submissions! Last year, the competition received 1 043 entries and this year we're hoping to surpass that.
Date: 2010-02-15
The Park News for the Cape Region has released it's first edition highlighting the celebration of Wetlands Week as well as a bird counting programme.
Date: 2010-02-11
The Pont at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp in the Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park is closed at the moment due to high river levels.
Date: 2010-02-10
The current availability for web bookings has been restored and is displaying up-to-date data.
Date: 2010-02-10
Since the start of the Southern Cape Fires, the Garden Route National Park has been an instrumental partner through the Incident Command Centre which has been set up in partnership with the Eden District Municipality, MTO and the Working on Fire (WoF) in monitoring and co-ordinating all plans dealing with the wild fires that has in recent weeks ravaged the Garden Route region.
Date: 2010-02-09
The current spate of wild fires engulfing the Southern Cape has since yesterday evening (Monday, 8 February 2010) spilled into the mountain areas of the Langkloof Mountains in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP).
Date: 2010-02-01
South African National Parks (SANParks) is offering a 40% discount when you book online for accommodation or camping facilities at selected camps across six different parks - only for the period 1-10 December 2010. So, book now to avoid disappointment!
Date: 2010-01-29
The swimming pool at the Shingwedzi Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is temporarily closed.
Date: 2010-01-29
The swimming pool at the Mopani Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) that was closed due to maintenance work (14 January 2010) is now open.
Date: 2010-01-29
The late Honorary Ranger (HR) Dorothy Bickley will be remembered as an absolute enthusiast about wildlife, her unwavering loyalty to the Honorary Rangers, and her thoroughness in sending little cards of acknowledgement in the days when submitting duty reports to Head Office.
Date: 2010-01-28
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP's) Managing Executive, Mr Abe Sibiya formally unveiled the FIFA official accommodation plaque to highlight the park’s preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Skukuza Rest Camp yesterday (Wednesday, January 27, 2010).
Date: 2010-01-28
The forum accessibility issues have now been resolved. Forum members can now access the forum and post messages on threads.
Date: 2010-01-28
South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) have launched the “Iconic Ideas Competition” for Africa’s southernmost tip, at L’Agulhas, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge.
Date: 2010-01-27
The South African National Parks (SANParks) in its joint operation with the Disaster Unit of the Eden District Municipality, Working on Fire (WoF), MTO Forestry and private landowners has deployed fire fighting personnel to suppress the raging unnatural fire burning north of the Vlietjiesberg.
Date: 2010-01-27
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently closed due to the overflowing of the low water bridge above Crocodile River after heavy rains last night.
Date: 2010-01-26
The Online Booking system is up and running again after maintenance work carried out yesterday.
Date: 2010-01-26
South African National Parks (SANParks) and Golden Gate Highlands National Park will be participating in an intergovernmental celebration of World Wetlands Day on Tuesday, 2 February 2010.
Date: 2010-01-25
The Island Lake at the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) will be temporarily closed as from the 1st of February until 31 March 2010 due to the extension of current ablution facilities and construction of undercover picnic and braai areas.
Date: 2010-01-22
The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced yesterday (21 January 2010) that the fight against poaching is heating up with the recent arrest of more suspected poachers in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2010-01-22
The current availability for web bookings has been restored and is displaying up-to-date data.
Date: 2010-01-20
In November 2004, South African National Parks introduced its online forum as a means to get visitors and fans of SANParks to interact with and share their wildlife experiences in the parks with each other, regardless of their location.
Date: 2010-01-18
There will be a road closure of the R102, eastern approach towards Garden Route National Park’s (GRNP’s) Nature’s Valley from 13 January 2010 to 31 May 2010.
Date: 2010-01-14
The swimming pool at the Mopani Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is temporarily closed.
Date: 2010-01-14
The 2010 volunteers have been chosen for the Savanna Fire Ignition Research Experiment (SavFIRE) volunteer opportunity in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2010-01-13
The telephone system at SANPark’s Call Centre was down from yesterday (12 January 2010) afternoon to 8:30 this morning due to an electric storm. The telephone system is now back online.
Date: 2010-01-13
The popular Flying Dutchman funicular at Cape Point in the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) will suspend its operations for three months; however, tourists will not be inconvenienced as there will be a temporary bus service put in place.
Date: 2010-01-13
A unique volunteer opportunity exists for two to four lucky SANParks' forum members who wish to participate in on-the-ground Fire Research in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2010-01-13
If you’re planning a trip to the Arid Parks (Kgalagadi, Mokala, Augrabies Falls, Namaqua Tankwa Karoo or Richtersveld), remember to pack your camera ‘cause the unique experiences that you capture could win you both fame and prizes.
Date: 2010-01-07
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has recently come under fire in the media for alleged racism, related to its People’s Trail Hut. According to media reports, two students were allegedly refused accommodation there because they were “white”.
Date: 2010-01-07
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently closed as the low water bridge over the Crocodile River is currently overflowing after heavy rains last night.
Date: 2010-01-07
The unfortunate situation of soil erosion on the banks of the Swartvlei estuary is a major concern for the Garden Route National Park (GRNP).
Date: 2010-01-05
The Garden Route National Park (GRNP) in its commitment to assist and contribute to the development of the surrounding local communities participated in the Tjaila Karatara Wall fundraising event that benefited the local primary schools around Farleigh.
Date: 2010-01-05
The public and tourists to the Garden Route can look forward to an exciting period of being able to gain access to the Tsitsikamma Big Tree after its closure for a period of 36 months due to major roadworks undertaken by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) on the N2.
Date: 2009-12-21
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Honorary Rangers (HR) held their Junior Ranger (JR) Facilitator prize-giving and braai at the Karridene Protea Hotel on KZN’s south coast last week.
Date: 2009-12-17
The S36 and S145 roads to Talamati, in the Kruger National Park’s (KNP’s) Nkayeni Region, are now open for tourists.
Date: 2009-12-17
On 16 December 2009 the Honorary Ranger’s (HR’s) Public Education & Awareness Project (PEAP) began its informational exhibition at Kruger National Park’s (KNP’s) Mopani Conference Centre.
Date: 2009-12-15
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has created an awareness on the largest social networking site in the world, Facebook. And today, we surpassed the 5 000 mark of the number of fans on Facebook!
Date: 2009-12-14
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently closed due to the recent rains which has flooded the bridge.
Date: 2009-12-14
The Kruger National Park's (KNP's) Rangers and SANParks’ Environmental Crime Investigation Unit (ECI) arrested two suspected rhino poachers in the Pretoriuskop section of the Kruger National Park yesterday (13 December 2009).
Date: 2009-12-11
Kruger National Park's three rest camps i.e. Skukuza, Pretoriuskop and Berg en Dal; which are found in the Marula region (southern part) of the park will serve as one of the MATCH Ville for the 2010 Soccer World Cup visitors (there are six chosen in South Africa).
Date: 2009-12-10
In August this year, SANParks internalised the Commercial Filming and Photography permit process which was previously contracted to a service provider.
Date: 2009-12-07
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate in the Kruger National Park is now open for tourists. The low water bridge over the Crocodile River is no longer flooded; it is now safe for vehicles to pass through.
Date: 2009-12-04
Online Bookings will be down from 19:30 on Saturday, 5 December 2009 to 05:00 on Sunday, 6 December 2009.
Date: 2009-12-03
The S36 and S145 roads to Talamati, in the Kruger National Park’s (KNP’s) Nkayeni Region, are currently not accessible until further notice. This is due to heavy rains experienced in that area.
Date: 2009-12-03
With the festive holidays approaching fast many people will be on the road to various holiday destinations including national parks. “It is for this reason that SANParks call upon many of those visiting the parks to enjoy responsibly and refrain from treating wild animals as pets that need to be fed,” said Wanda Mkutshulwa, Head of Communications at SANParks.
Date: 2009-12-02
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently closed due to the recent rains which has flooded the bridge.
Date: 2009-11-27
The Kruger National Park (KNP) Rangers and the SANParks Environmental Crimes Investigations (ECI) units yesterday installed high technology invisible tracking devices to some of the Kruger rhinos based at Malelane and Stolznek areas.
Date: 2009-11-27
During the weekend of 23-25 October the inauguration of the old farm house took place with an exclusive and unique birding event at the Marakele National Park which accommodated a limited number of paying guests.
Date: 2009-11-18
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is now open for tourists.
Date: 2009-11-16
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently closed due to the overflowing of the low water bridge over the Crocodile River after heavy rains in the past few days.
Date: 2009-11-13
South African architect Peter Rich has won this year's World Building of the Year Award for his Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre in the Mapungubwe National Park.
Date: 2009-11-13
The S114 gravel road (between S22 and S21 roads) in the Kruger National Park (KNP) will be temporarily closed from 16 - 18 November 2009.
Date: 2009-11-10
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Protection Services Department which deals with the traffic and security issues in the park did not waste time on November 11, 2009 when they busted a cigarette smuggler who was driving a vehicle in the park that was carrying loads of counterfeit cigarettes.
Date: 2009-11-07
FNB recently launched its ‘In the Connect Box’ concept where FNB Connect is challenging one man to live his life inside a box for 10 weeks using only FNB Connect’s Surf (data) and Talk (voice) product offerings. Connect with him and you could win some prizes!
Date: 2009-11-06
Addo, Eastern Cape: Today the Minister of Rural Development, Gugile Nkwinti, officially launched the Mayibuye Compost Project, a community venture aimed at providing employment to local people and enhancing the natural environment while producing top quality organic compost.
Date: 2009-11-04
Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) has introduced large wildlife species and opened up new tourist road loops in the Colchester area of the Park, south of the main game area.
Date: 2009-11-02
Following the consolidation of the three former parks, Knysna, Tsitsikamma and Wilderness into the single Garden Route National Park (GRNP) , we would like you, our valued client to please note that the abovementioned three areas have been merged on the website as well.
Date: 2009-10-30
Karoo National Park, situated near Beaufort West, celebrated its 30th Anniversary yesterday with the announcement that lions would be introduced to the Park in 2010.
Date: 2009-10-29
Yesterday Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP), situated near Cradock in the Eastern Cape, celebrated the official opening of a newly upgraded entrance gate and the complete renovation of its tourist roads.
Date: 2009-10-28
The Kruger National Park (KNP) will open bookings for its latest adventure trails called Mphongolo Back Pack and Malopeni Overnight Eco-Trail as from Sunday, November 1, 2009.
Date: 2009-10-26
A Leica EZ4 Stereomicroscope presentation was delivered to the Honorary Rangers (HR) Environmental Education team of the West Coast National Park at their headquarters on Tuesday 15th September 2009.
Date: 2009-10-26
On 9 and 10 October 2009, Vanessa Strydom (Manager: Conservation Interpretation and Training from SANParks Conservation Services, in the Kruger National Park (KNP)) visited the West Coast National Park Honorary Rangers and presented the Orientation Course for KNP.
Date: 2009-10-23
With the appointment of 57 new Field Rangers, the world renowned Kruger National Park (KNP) has stepped up the crime fighting ability against the brutal poaching of animals.
Date: 2009-10-15
The West Rand Honorary Rangers recently held their first Photographic Weekend in the Mapungubwe National Park – with much hope that this will become as popular as the birding weekends and a regular fixture on the SANParks calendar!
Date: 2009-10-05
Marakele National Park's Honorary Rangers invites enthusiastic birders to an amazing weekend, during October, in a magic section of the Park.
Date: 2009-10-02
Johannesburg Honorary Rangers will be hosting a photography course at the Field and Study Centre in Sandton on 10 October 2009.
Date: 2009-09-29
Camdeboo National Park will host its first ever Birding Weekend from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2009.
Date: 2009-09-28
Six days of tempestuous action came to a head on Thursday September 23, when the Southern Storm Duathlon, presented by Hi-Tec, reached its climax near the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) on the Garden Route.
Date: 2009-09-28
Within a week, two trail running records have been broken in the Garden Route.
Date: 2009-09-25
On 17 September 2009, the field guide at Grootkolk reported a fire in the northern part of the park after heavy thunderstorms and dramatic lightning had occurred that night.
Date: 2009-09-23
In the spirit of Heritage Day South Africans are urged to show their support for Table Mountain by casting their vote for South Africa’s own World Heritage Site on Thursday September 24.
Date: 2009-09-23
Today, 23 September 2009, the Board of South African National Parks (SANParks) unanimously approved the appointment of Mr Velaphi Abraham Sibiya (known as Abe) as the Managing Executive of Kruger National Park (KNP) on the recommendation of the Chief Executive, Dr David Mabunda.
Date: 2009-09-21
Not everyone is afforded the privilege of doing ‘The Otter’ in one day, and it is also most definitely not in everyone’s ability to do so. At dawn that morning, 200 athletes assembled at Storms River Mouth of the Garden Route National Park to do just this.
Date: 2009-09-18
The Honorary Rangers Counter Poaching and Ranger Support Services National Project (CP & RSS) chaired by the legendary John Turner of the Johannesburg Region have honed their fundraising skills over the last 15 years to a fine art.
Date: 2009-09-18
The Honorary Rangers National Project of Public Education and Awareness Project (PEAP) represented South African National Parks (SANParks) at a Birdlife SA display at the Johannesburg Zoo. The PEAP had the opportunity to pass knowledge of SANParks to the public.
Date: 2009-09-15
Kruger National Park’s (KNP’s) Shingwedzi Rest Camp will be temporary closed from 24 to 26 September 2009 as they will be hosting a group of international artists.
Date: 2009-09-15
Fancy going to work and experiencing roaming animals as a common occurrence, what fun!
Date: 2009-09-15
Senior citizens, school pupils, taxi drivers and sports clubs are just some of the communities that the Kruger National Park (KNP) will be reaching out too during SANParks Week this week (Monday September 14 until Saturday September 19, 2009).
Date: 2009-09-10
The winner of the kuduzela survey is Michelle Bartie from Port Elizabeth.
Date: 2009-09-10
The Public Awareness and Education (PEAP) initiative of the Honorary Rangers (HR) spread the message at the Spring Fair in Kensington, Johannesburg on Sunday, 6 September 2009.
Date: 2009-09-10
The Public Awareness and Education (PEAP) initiative of the Honorary Rangers (HR) were in action at Curro Private School in Pretoria during 27-28 August 2009.
Date: 2009-09-10
Skilpad (Namaqua National Park) and surrounds did not get any rain during the last week of August.
Date: 2009-09-08
The country’s body charged with the management of national parks, South African National Parks (SANParks) will officially launch the 2009 SA National Parks Week (SANPW) in the Mopani Camp of the Kruger National Park on Monday, 14 September 2009.
Date: 2009-09-08
In the early hours of this morning (Tuesday, September 2009) a fire raged at the rest camp of the Basotho Cultural Village in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
Date: 2009-09-04
A new anti-poaching patrol vessel was launched on 26 August 2009 by the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Marine Section.
Date: 2009-09-04
Hikers and visitors to Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) will be much safer thanks to the repair of 253km of footpaths and the building of 5.8m boardwalks within the park.
Date: 2009-09-04
Recently the Honorary Rangers (HR) honoured some of the original HR members at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg.
Date: 2009-09-02
South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today that more poachers have been apprehended in recent weeks due to the increased efforts to stamp down on poaching of rhino and other high value wildlife in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2009-09-02
The South African National Parks (SANParks) and Reach for a Dream Foundation have together helped two children suffering from life-threatening illnesses fulfil their dreams!
Date: 2009-09-01
On 30 August 2009, an opinion editorial by SANParks CEO Dr David Mabunda was published in the Sunday Independent titled: "Anti-hunting groups have misfired".
Date: 2009-08-27
The Garden Route National Park (GRNP) has officially opened a new circular route to the suspension bridge which forms part of the world renowned Dolphin Trail at the Storms River Mouth on 25 August 2009.
Date: 2009-08-26
South African National Parks (SANParks) has revised its procedure and tariffs for commercial filming and photography in the national parks under its management.
Date: 2009-08-26
South African National Parks (SANParks) extends its apologies to ecoAfrica Travel (Pty) for the misunderstanding caused by the recent comments made on our blog.
Date: 2009-08-24
Skilpad (Namaqua National Park) and surrounds received very good rains the past week.
Date: 2009-08-20
On 3 August 2009, seven members of the Honorary Rangers (HR) met with Mr Abe Sibiya, the Acting Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP) at Skukuza.
Date: 2009-08-18
Karoo National Park’s ever-popular golf day will take place at the Beaufort-West Golf Club on Saturday, 5 September.
Date: 2009-08-14
Following a system error in the booking of accommodation for the June / July 2010 period in the Kruger National Park, South African National Parks has managed to make alternative arrangements for accommodating virtually all of the 17 affected customers.
Date: 2009-08-13
Not much has changed at Skilpad over the past week. Skilpad is still looking very good, and should continue to do so for the near future.
Date: 2009-08-07
Namaqua National Park received some nice follow-up rain during the past week. Skilpad (Namaqua National Park) is still looking very good, and should continue to do so for the near future.
Date: 2009-08-07
The winners of the ”How green are we” survey have been decided. The prize of a weekend getaway for two people to a Park of their choice goes to...
Date: 2009-08-06
The Marakele National Park’s Honorary Rangers is hosting an exciting Birding Weekend (23-25 October 2009) for enthusiastic birders in a magic section of the park.
Date: 2009-08-05
Recently, an editorial titled “Undermining heritage” was published in the South African Archaeological Bulletin which touched on proposed coal mining at the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site.
Date: 2009-08-04
South African National Parks has revised its tariffs for filming and photography in its national parks. These tariffs will be effective from 4 August 2009 along with the new permit application procedure.
Date: 2009-07-30
South African National Parks (SANParks) marine rangers from the Addo Elephant National Park arrested four divers and a skipper today for diving and fishing illegally in the Bird Island Marine Protected Area.
Date: 2009-07-30
Over the past 2 weeks no rain fell in the Namaqua National Park. Skilpad is looking unbelievably good - possibly better than at any stage last year.
Date: 2009-07-30
An archaeological excursion will again be conducted at one of the outposts of the Steinaecker’s Horse unit in the Kruger National Park (KNP) from 2 - 15 August 2009. This time it will be the site at Sabi Bridge, close to Skukuza.
Date: 2009-07-28
Recently Old Mutual donated R14 000 to the Honorary Rangers’ (HR’s) Public Education and Awareness Project (PEAP) displaying its commitment to nature conservation in South Africa.
Date: 2009-07-28
A new 4x4 trail, the Caracal Ecoroute, was opened for visitors during July 2009 at the Namaqua National Park.
Date: 2009-07-28
Have you heard about a “kuduzela” making the rounds in your office, your home, in the taxi? Well, it’s a wind instrument in the shape of a kudu horn, and you have a chance to win this truly African icon.
Date: 2009-07-27
A fact sheet regarding the rhino situation has been released.
Date: 2009-07-24
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) would like to inform the Cape Town public that the “Table Mountain Proclaimed a Natural Monument 1957” plaque has been stolen.
Date: 2009-07-23
Kruger National Park – The Chief Executive of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced today that SANParks will be using R2 million from the Parks Development Fund (PDF) to increase the number of rangers in the KNP.
Date: 2009-07-22
There is one week left to fill out our ”how green are we” survey and stand a chance of winning an amazing prize - a weekend for two people to a Park of your choice plus a complimentary game drive!
Date: 2009-07-22
Table Mountain has made it into the final round of the New7Wonders of Nature contest beating the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Azure Window in Malta and the Rock of Aphrodite in Cyprus for a spot on the shortlist.
Date: 2009-07-17
We have had excellent follow-up rains in the Namaqua National Park. Skilpad is looking unbelievably good with few people currently visiting to enjoy it! It seems nobody expected the flowers to be this early.
Date: 2009-07-16
On Tuesday, 14 July 2009, South African National Parks (SANParks) Chief Executive Dr David Mabunda addressed a media briefing at its Head Office, Groenkloof National Park, in response to tackle the issues of rhino sales and hunting in National Parks.
Date: 2009-07-16
Come and enjoy West Coast National Park with us during flower season. Experience the park at its best and make sure that you don’t miss out!
Date: 2009-07-15
South African National Parks (SANParks) and First National Bank (FNB) have unveiled a truly African icon that they believe will become synonymous with football and other sports in South Africa.
Date: 2009-07-14
The 2009 Honorary Rangers (HR) Indaba was held at the Kgalagadi National Park during 5-9 May 2009 and guests were warmly welcomed at this event.
Date: 2009-07-10
At a glittering ceremony held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, iKapa Honorary Rangers Chairperson Sue Smith accepted the prestigious Kudu Award for Honorary Rangers Project of the Year presented by SANParks CEO Dr David Mabunda.
Date: 2009-07-10
Table Mountain is one step closer to being named one of the New7Wonders of Nature. South Africa’s iconic mountain, and its only official nominee, has been voted as one of the top 77 sites selected from over 261 participants from around the globe.
Date: 2009-07-10
Our avid blogger Martie Goddard who is spending a year at the Kruger National Park (KNP) will be interviewed on Talk Radio 702’s Jenny Crwys-Williams afternoon show today at 13:30.
Date: 2009-07-09
Camdeboo National Park has just opened a brand new 4x4 trail in the Park, which surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape.
Date: 2009-07-09
Wild About Soccer, Dreamfields partnership with South African National Parks (SANParks), has been extended to the Marakele National Park in Limpopo Province – thanks to the generous support of Edcon.
Date: 2009-07-09
Table Mountain National Park's 20% discount on the Hoerikwaggo Hiking Trail Camps has been extended to 30 September 2009.
Date: 2009-07-08
The rainy season started on 24 April 2009 when Skilpad (Namaqua National Park) got 20.5mm of rain. Since then it has rained with regular intervals right up to the present.
Date: 2009-07-06
The 2009 “Beginners Birding Course” hosted by the West Rand Honorary Rangers will be held in Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park from Thursday 19 November to Sunday 22 November 2009.
Date: 2009-07-03
SANParks is now offering “wild” animal ringtones for your mobile – fancy a hyena, baboon or a hadeda sound as your ringtone – this is the place to get it.
Date: 2009-07-02
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) will be setting up public voting stations at the Boulders Visitor Centre and at the TMNP’s Visitor Information Centre (VIC) on Tafelberg Rd, to enable members of the public and Park visitors to vote for Table Mountain in the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign.
Date: 2009-07-01
The Brandwag Hotel in the Golden Gate National Park is currently being revamped and is set to offer an even higher level of comfort and entertainment to its guests.
Date: 2009-07-01
South African National Parks (SANParks) had made a special concession for the June/July 2010 holiday period that the public will be able to make a booking for both months from today (1 July 2009) because of the FIFA 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament taking place during this period next year.
Date: 2009-06-30
You have seven days left to cast your vote for Table Mountain in the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign.
Date: 2009-06-30
The Addo Elephant National Park is offering a holiday programme for children visiting the Park as day or overnight visitors.
Date: 2009-06-30
The Counter Poaching and Ranger Support Services National Project of the SANParks Honorary Rangers celebrated the 10th anniversary of this special and popular event at Letaba in the Kruger National Park from 17 to 21 June 2009.
Date: 2009-06-29
At a glamorous “Green Tie Affair” at Gallagher Estate on Thursday night (25 June 2009), hosted by South African National Parks (SANParks), individuals and groups who had contributed significantly to conservation were honoured with the prestigious Kudu Award.
Date: 2009-06-29
Visitors to the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) are hereby informed that the Otter Trail is now fully operational as of today, 29 June 2009.
Date: 2009-06-29
The Cableway at the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) will be closed for annual maintenance from 20 July to 16 August and will reopen for business on 17 August 2009 if weather permits.
Date: 2009-06-24
The Nature’s Valley Rest Camp in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) will be closed until Sunday, 28 June 2009 due to flooding.
Date: 2009-06-24
The South African National Parks is now offering customers a chance to book accommodation in all its National Parks including Kruger National Park for June and July 2010 from 1st July 2009.
Date: 2009-06-23
Now you can vote for Table Mountain in the New 7 Wonders of Nature race by picking up the telephone, as well as casting your vote online.
Date: 2009-06-22
Kruger National Park (KNP) researchers and rangers call for more collaborative efforts to ensure that South African rivers are clear of pollution as more crocodile carcasses are discovered in the Olifants River.
Date: 2009-06-22
Tourists love to visit national parks and enjoy all that nature has to offer but the question remains how environmentally friendly (how 'green') are our National Parks?
Date: 2009-06-19
The Honorary Rangers of the Highveld Region recently undertook the project of cleaning the historical heritage plaques throughout the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2009-06-17
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) acting Managing Executive Mr Abe Sibiya officially opened the new, state-of-the-art R5,2-million Mopani Conference Centre on Friday June 12, 2009.
Date: 2009-06-17
A routine anti-poaching operation by the marine team of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and Marine Coastal Management (MCM) led to the arrest of the owners of Sushiyama restaurant late in the afternoon of Monday, 15 June 2009.
Date: 2009-06-12
Twenty-two Addo buffalo will be up for sale on 27 June at the annual Kirkwood Auction.
Date: 2009-06-12
The Park News: Table Mountain National Park - Second Quarter edition has been released highlighting the need to vote for Table Mountain in the New 7 Wonders of Nature Campaign, as well as TMNP's fighting capacity being boosted by BP Southern Africa.
Date: 2009-06-12
Table Mountain National Park is offering a 20% discount on the Hoerikwaggo Hiking Trail Camps.
Date: 2009-06-11
Join the West Rand Honorary Rangers (HR) for an exciting photographic safari weekend in Mapungubwe from 18 to 20 September 2009.
Date: 2009-06-11
West Rand Honorary Rangers are pleased to announce that the dates have been set for the 12th Annual Birding Weekend to be held in 2010.
Date: 2009-06-10
The 2009 programme of Wild About Soccer– a partnership between SANParks and the Dreamfields Project – got underway on Saturday June 6th with a tournament at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
Date: 2009-06-10
Table Mountain climbed to number five in the New 7 Wonders of Nature global rankings on Monday June 8, rocketing 24 places from its previous position of 29 last week.
Date: 2009-06-09
Avid birders should hurry to make their bookings for the Sasol Addo Birding Weekend which will be held in Addo Elephant National Park from 23 to 25 October 2009.
Date: 2009-06-05
South African National Parks (SANParks) joins the country in acknowledging National Environment Month this June which incorporates World Environment Day (WED) on Friday, 5 June 2009.
Date: 2009-06-04
Have you checked out the SANParks blog recently – well it is the most “happening place to be” to follow the journey of our avid blogger Martie Goddard who is spending a year in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2009-06-04
The finalists in the 2009 Kudu Awards programme, organised by South African National Parks (SANParks) have been announced.
Date: 2009-06-02
Two new 4x4 eco-trails have opened at the Karoo National Park near Beaufort West.
Date: 2009-06-02
The Bontebok National Park, in conjunction with the Women & Home Magazine, is offering a 10% promotional discount on all their accommodation and camping to their readers.
Date: 2009-06-01
The Johannesburg Honorary Rangers (HR) will be hosting a fun-filled Golf Day on 16 September 2009 at the West Course, Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
Date: 2009-06-01
A statement by Gavin Bell, Area Manager: Southern Section, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) on baboon matters in the Peninsula was released on 28 May 2009.
Date: 2009-06-01
South African National Parks (SANParks) has called for proposals in respect of Public Private Partnership projects for the proposed Malelane Hotel development close to the Malelane gate in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2009-06-01
A total of 28 penguin chicks hatch in nest boxes at Boulders - exciting kids who care about conservation.
Date: 2009-05-28
The South African National Parks [SANParks] Head Office at Groenkloof National Park was the site of a very different battle with aliens on Friday 22 May 2009. The International Day for Biological Diversity [IDB], 22 May, was established by the United Nations in order to raise awareness and an understanding of biodiversity issues worldwide and this year’s global theme revolved around Invasive Alien Species and its effect on biological diversity.
Date: 2009-05-27
In line with SANParks’ Strategic Plan for Commercialisation, SANParks intends to form a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in which it gives a selected private party the right to the use of the Malelane Hotel Development.
Date: 2009-05-26
SANParks is proud to announce the deserving winners of the 2009 SANParks Amateur Photogrpahic Competition in its 12 categories.
Date: 2009-05-26
Tankwa Karoo bookings have now moved into the online environment where you can now browse and make an easy online booking for this lovable destination.
Date: 2009-05-19
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and the City Sightseeing Bus Company have partnered for the first time to offer the same exciting winter special to families – two kids ride the bus and the Cableway for free if accompanied by a full-paying adult.
Date: 2009-05-18
Tourists are urged to be aware that there will be a major game capture operation taking place between Monday the 25th and Friday, the 29th of May 2009 at Mokala National Park.
Date: 2009-05-15
Situated approximately 80 kilometers (49.7 miles) south-southwest of Kimberley, and west of the N12 freeway to Cape Town, Mokala National Park under the management of South African National Parks (SANParks) is the cream of tourism excellence.
Date: 2009-05-14
A routine anti-poaching operation by the joint team of Table Mountain National Park, the SAPS, SANParks Environmental Crime Investigations and Marine Coastal Management (MCM) led to the arrest of 35 suspected poachers and the seizure of 2 200 abalone at Cape Point.
Date: 2009-05-13
The Mountain Zebra National Park, in collaboration with the Working for Water Project, donated some much needed manpower to help at the Cradock Hospice during April and May this year.
Date: 2009-05-11
The country’s body charged with the management of a system of national parks which represents the indigenous fauna, flora, landscape and associated cultural heritage of the country, South African National Parks, (SANParks), has unveiled its 2010 FIFA World Cup plan at a media function this morning.
Date: 2009-05-11
The speed point at the Berg-en-Dal filling station in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has been fixed and is now in working order. Sometime last week, tourists were urged to carry cash as the speed point was damaged.
Date: 2009-05-08
Kruger National Park (KNP) management will implement its management fire policy early this year because of the good rainfall. This is necessary to continue the KNP’s commitment to sound conservation principles and area management.
Date: 2009-05-07
Proposals for a power station and coal mine within sight of the Mapungubwe National Park have raised concerns that these developments could destroy the eco-tourism and cultural-tourism potential of the area and have significant negative affects on one of Limpopo Province’s ten Important Bird Areas.
Date: 2009-05-04
Bruce Arnett from Johannesburg once again conquered the rugged mountains in Addo Elephant National Park to take first place in SA’s only 100-mile trail run in record time.
Date: 2009-04-30
The seeds of soccer dreams planted by the Dreamfields Project are starting to bear beautiful fruit.
Date: 2009-04-23
Three facilitators and 41 young people of the Junior Ranger Group at Qhilika High School in Durban visited the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) Conservation Education Centre at Umgeni Valley in Howick during 6 to 8 April.
Date: 2009-04-23
Entries for the South African National Parks (SANParks) Environmental Journalist Award are still open.
Date: 2009-04-21
The Kruger National Park (KNP) will host scientists and researchers from around the world at the 7th Annual Savanna Science Network Meeting which will take place from 19 – 24 April 2009 in the Gold Fields Auditorium in Skukuza.
Date: 2009-04-21
22 April is Earth Day! It's a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment.
Date: 2009-04-20
Hard work, going the extra mile and excellent performance were recognised at the glittering Kruger National Park’s 10th Achievement Awards in Skukuza on Friday April 17, 2009.
Date: 2009-04-20
On 28 March 2009, history in the small was made in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The Honorary Rangers of the Bushveld region hosted a fishing competition at the Reënvoël Dam in the Nxanatseni South Region of the Park.
Date: 2009-04-15
BP Southern Africa, part of the global petroleum company, donated a Bulk Water Tanker to Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).
Date: 2009-04-15
The guest list for the 10th Kruger National Park (KNP) Achievement Awards, which takes place in Skukuza on Friday, April 17, 2009, includes some of the most influential delegates that Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces have to offer.
Date: 2009-04-07
The reservations office in Pretoria will be closed from 12:00 on Thursday, 9 April 2009 and will reopen on 14 April 2009.
Date: 2009-04-06
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) visitor safety rangers arrested and handed over to the SAPS a suspect, who was caught with stolen goods, on Saturday, 4 April 2009.
Date: 2009-04-06
The Garden Route National Park has released its first newsletter featuring news on the establishment of the Garden Route National Park, the impact of global warming as well as many other exciting environmental news items.
Date: 2009-04-06
The Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) is hosting a fun holiday programme for the kids from 6-9 April 2009.
Date: 2009-04-03
KNP Management today warned all road users and visitors that the long arm of the law will certainly act against anybody who is caught disregarding the rules and regulations of the two million hectare park during the Easter school holiday season.
Date: 2009-04-03
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made with anti-poaching efforts and announced a number of arrests that followed as a result of a coordinated investigation.
Date: 2009-04-03
The announcement of the 2009 Conservation Support Online Raffle has arrived and………………the winners are:
Date: 2009-04-02
SANParks is embarking on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) tender process for several commercial opportunities on Thesens Island in the Knysna National Lake Area.
Date: 2009-04-02
South Africa’s only 100-mile (160km) marathon takes place in one month’s time on 2 and 3 May in the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2009-04-01
Have you supported the 2009 SANParks Conservation Support Online Raffle that is coming to a close on Friday, 3 April 2009? No, well you have 2 days before the draw so hurry up and buy your ticket to be in line for some fantastic prizes.
Date: 2009-04-01
During the course of the 2009 Amateur Photographic Competition, an astonishing number of 1 046 submissions have been received.
Date: 2009-03-30
The Park News: Table Mountain National Park - First Quarter edition has been released highlighting the conservation of the African Penguin.
Date: 2009-03-27
Can South Africa's iconic 5 day hiking trail; the Otter Trail be run in under 5 hours? We think it can. The current record stands at 5 hours 12 minutes.
Date: 2009-03-27
Visitors to Karoo National Park will be plunged into darkness for one hour on Saturday 28 March 2009 as Karoo National Park supports the global Earth Hour initiative.
Date: 2009-03-26
The Acting Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP) Mr Abe Sibiya officially received a new fleet of vehicles today (Thursday March 26, 2009) at Paul Kruger Entrance Gate.
Date: 2009-03-26
World Wildlife Fund South Africa is planning an exciting countrywide campaign to get 1 million dwellings and offices to turn off their lights; and 3 million South Africans to Sign Up and together take a stand against climate change.
Date: 2009-03-24
Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate is now open for tourists. Vehicles can now pass through.
Date: 2009-03-20
The Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) is one of several landscape initiatives in the Cape Floristic Region that integrates and coordinates efforts to minimise the further loss of threatened natural habitat on the Agulhas Plain.
Date: 2009-03-20
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently closed due to the overflowing of the low water bridge above Crocodile River after it rained in nearby areas such as Nelspruit.
Date: 2009-03-20
Last year SANParks in partnership, with Dreamfields and the communities on the border of the Kruger National Park (KNP) launched "Wild about Soccer".
Date: 2009-03-18
Table Mountain has been selected as the official nominee to represent South Africa in a global New7Wonders of Nature campaign and we need your VOTE to get to the top.
Date: 2009-03-12
Currently the Olifants Restaurant at the Olifants Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is undergoing renovations that are affecting visitors wanting to use the restaurant as well as the shop.
Date: 2009-03-10
The forest hut accommodation at the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park's (GRNP's) Storms River Rest Camp is currently under construction due to some needed upgrades.
Date: 2009-03-09
The KwaZulu-Natal Region's Honorary Rangers first meeting of 2009 discussed the Junior Rangers’ work. A slide show entitled - “A Pictorial History of Junior Rangers (JRs) in KZN 2006 – 2009” was presented.
Date: 2009-03-09
The activities of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Junior Rangers (JR) for the first quarter of the 2009 involved facilitator training and a portfolio workshop.
Date: 2009-03-09
On 3 March 2009, the members of the Management Committee of Kruger National Park (KNP) met with members of the Honorary Rangers (HR)to discuss several issues.
Date: 2009-03-06
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, declared the establishment of the new Garden Route National Park at an event in Knysna, which coincides, with the gazetting of the Park today.
Date: 2009-03-06
Last year Chris Beyleveld, one of the Honorary Ranger’s from the KwaZulu-Natal region embarked on an Arbor Day project after discussions and encouragement that the KZN HR needed to get involved.
Date: 2009-03-06
Why not put your creative skills and team work to the test and join us for Dam Day at the Camdeboo National Park?
Date: 2009-03-06
This February Jan de Wet, the former KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Honorary Rangers’ (HR) chairman, as well as Bob and Ellen Abel visited the head office of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to award them with a certificate as Partners in Conservation.
Date: 2009-03-05
At the Honorary Rangers meeting held on February 14, 2009 at the Kranzkloof Nature Reserve, Kloof (Durban), the KZN Honorary Rangers hosted 17 of the region's Junior Rangers (JR) and three facilitators.
Date: 2009-03-04
The Honorary Rangers of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) region received a request from SANParks in October last year to provide assistance at the Department of Education and Training (DET) career expo at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Durban during 14-17 October 2008.
Date: 2009-03-04
The Kruger National Park (KNP) will not be left in the lurch when it comes to voting in the 2009 Elections this April.
Date: 2009-03-03
A total of 200 nest boxes were handed to Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) by iKapa Honorary Rangers, in partnership with Dyer Island Conversation Trust; a US-based Special Species Project and ordinary members of the public.
Date: 2009-03-03
All 10 Safari Tents at Tlopi Tented Camp in the Marakele National Park have been closed due to major renovations taking place.
Date: 2009-03-02
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate at the Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently closed due to the overflowing of the low water bridge over the Crocodile River after heavy rains in the last 24 hours.
Date: 2009-03-02
The Karoo National Park’s Birding Weekend, hosted by the Karoo Honorary Rangers, will take place from 17 to 19 April 2009. Join us for a light-hearted competition with the aim of having lots of fun! Discover the tranquillity and wide open spaces of the Great Karoo.
Date: 2009-02-25
The SANParks Conservation Support Online Raffle 2009 is open and there are amazing prizes up for grabs! This is your chance to win while contributing to raising funds for conservation.
Date: 2009-02-25
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) re-commenced the R10 million upgrade of the road, car park and bulk services infrastructure at Cape Point.
Date: 2009-02-24
After a prolonged period of unusually high humidity levels, relief finally came with a heavy thunderstorm in the early hours of Sunday, 22 February 2009, when the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park received very good rainfall in the southern part of the park.
Date: 2009-02-20
Visitors to Addo Elephant National Park may experience some delays as renovation begins today (20 February 2009) on the Main Entrance gate complex.
Date: 2009-02-19
Nominations for the Annual Kudu Awards organised by the South African National Parks (SANParks) are now open.
Date: 2009-02-19
For quite a long time the Marakele Honorary Rangers (HRs) have envisaged a bird hide at a watering point where they had previously – in anticipation of the bird hide being erected - planted reeds and water lilies in order to attract birds, insects, mammals and reptiles. The time has now arrived...
Date: 2009-02-17
During the course of today, the SANParks website was down due to some technical problems. However, these problems have now been resolved.
Date: 2009-02-16
Agulhas National Park will be hosting an Open Day on the Park’s Management Plans from 6-7 March 2009 in the Struisbaai “Suiderlig Dienssentrum.
Date: 2009-02-16
The SANParks helicopter will be carrying out visitor safety aerial patrols quite sporadically during the month of February at the Table Mountain National Park.
Date: 2009-02-16
The Honorary Rangers of Addo Elephant National Park will be hosting their Annual Golf Day on Friday, 29 May 2009 at the Humewood Golf Club.
Date: 2009-02-12
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Acting Managing Executive Mr Abe Sibiya yesterday (Wednesday February 11, 2009) received 250 birding guide books for each field ranger in the Park from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
Date: 2009-02-12
Ranked as one of the second best marathons in South Africa in 2008, the West Coast Marathon is set to take place on 14 March 2009. The course is undulated and enjoyable, run around the Langebaan lagoon inside the West Coast National Park.
Date: 2009-02-12
Come join the SANParks Honorary Rangers of the Counter Poaching and Rangers Support Services at the Annual Sunset Serenade fundraising event taking place in June and September 2009 at the Kruger National Park’s Letaba Rest Camp.
Date: 2009-02-11
Table Mountain has been selected as the official nominee to represent South Africa in a global New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign.
Date: 2009-02-10
One of the elephants with the largest tusks in the Kruger National Park (KNP), Alexander, passed away on Saturday February 7, 2009 seemingly of a heart attack.
Date: 2009-02-10
The signing on Monday, 9 February 2009 on the Agulhas Plain of a funding agreement between South African National Parks (SANParks) and a group of landowners has cleared the way for a financial boost of €2 million for conservation on the Agulhas Plain.
Date: 2009-02-06
During 2007 Bontebok National Park embarked on a development cycle which saw as a first stage the building of 10 new chalets and ablution facilities for campers.
Date: 2009-02-06
The management and staff of the Kruger National Park (KNP) expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the assistant driver of the vehicle that crashed on the road between Mopani and Shingwedzi rest camps late yesterday afternoon (Thursday February 5, 2009).
Date: 2009-02-02
The Chief Executive of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced today that there is no danger of tourists and staff contracting cholera from drinking water in the Kruger National Park (KNP) despite positive reports of cholera in the rivers.
Date: 2009-02-02
Today, 2 February is World Wetland’s Day with this year’s theme being - “Upstream – Downstream - Wetlands connects us all”.
Date: 2009-01-30
A group calling themselves the “Rat Pack”, who are regular forum bloggers, have decided to embark on a fundraising expedition to the Kruger National Park’s S100 to collect as much money to support the committed rangers of SANParks.
Date: 2009-01-29
The countries body for organised tourism business, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) said in a statement that the insinuation that the whole of South Africa is experiencing the cholera outbreak is false.
Date: 2009-01-27
The Flight for Birders Bird Identification and Conservation Course by Dr. Anton Odendal of BirdLife Overberg was presented at the Bosheuwel educational centre in the Agulhas National Park on 22 and 23 January.
Date: 2009-01-27
Thinking of visiting the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and hiking up that glorious mountain? Be sure to read up on our current safety tips to get you geared up for a secure and fun experience.
Date: 2009-01-27
Fancy a run on the wild side? Why not join the Marakele National Park Marathon and Half Marathon taking place on 28 March 2009.
Date: 2009-01-26
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate is now open for tourists.
Date: 2009-01-23
The Cableway at the Table Mountain National Park has extended its annual maintenance period in anticipation of completing extra work so that it remains operational during the 2010 Soccer World Cup period.
Date: 2009-01-21
The SANParks forums host hundreds of images that forum members have taken in our parks, and then chosen to share in the online environment. As the quality and the quantity of images submitted has grown, so too has our forum community, which now boasts several keen amateur photographers among its ranks.
Date: 2009-01-21
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has organsied an outing to Two Oceans Aquarium for 54 retired handline fishermen (and their spouses) of Hout Bay, Oceanview and Kalk Bay. This is part of the TMNP’s initiatives to build bridges and links to local communities.
Date: 2009-01-19
The proposal for proclaiming the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) was finally gazetted on the 21st of November and the proclamation of the Park is now only months away. SANParks in the Garden Route is currently hosting information sessions about what the new National Park will hold in for residents in the area.
Date: 2009-01-19
This will be an AGM with a difference, in that it will be enveloped in a number of birding and other activities over the weekend, catering for young and old, and those with a taste for feathers, and those with a preference for something more cultural or arty!!
Date: 2009-01-16
South African National Parks is investigating its revenue model with the aim of optimizing the yield on the products it offers to the South African public and people of the world. As part of this project, all discounts and commissions are being reviewed with the aim of assessing their relevance to current market conditions. The investigation into the discount structure for senior citizens has been completed and has been approved by the Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Mabunda and the SANParks Executive Committee for implementation in January 2010.
Date: 2009-01-16
In a joint operation by various disciplines of the South African Police Service including the Mpumalaga, Limpopo & North West Organised Crime Units, the Gauteng Provincial Task Team together with South African National Parks have arrested and charged 11 suspects in connection with the poaching of black and white Rhino.
Date: 2009-01-15
Staff members are informed that the low water bridge over the Crocodile River is currently overflowing due to rain received over the past few days. The dams upstream have also overflowed and this might cause the low water bridge to remain flooded. All vehicles will not be allowed to enter or exit through Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate until further notice.
Date: 2009-01-14
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) acting Managing Executive Mr Abe Sibiya announced today (Wednesday, January 14, 2009) that 503 fines were issued to visitors who failed to obey the rules of the park during the December 2008 Festive Season.
Date: 2009-01-12
As reported last year, the Garden Route National Park was gazetted on 21 November 2008 and it is envisaged that the new Park will be proclaimed at the end of March 2009.
Date: 2009-01-12
SANParks is proud to announce that we now provide daily as well as weekly weather forecasts for our users.
Date: 2009-01-09
The acting Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Mr Abe Sibiya warned companies and members of the public to be on the lookout for people who falsely represent the KNP.
Date: 2009-01-08
A joint Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and South African Police Services (SAPS) operation led to the arrest of six suspects and the seizure of 1 198 abalone at Buffels Bay in the Cape of Good Hope section of the TMNP.
Date: 2008-12-22
A new picnic site for visitors opens today in the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2008-12-19
The suspension bridge at the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) will re-open today. The bridge is one of the biggest drawcards to Stormsriver Mouth and Park Manager Darren Claassen said that they are delighted that visitors will be able to use it again.
Date: 2008-12-18
The Mountain Zebra National Park opened a new swimming pool for day visitors today at the Fonteinkloof Picnic Site.
Date: 2008-12-15
The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA) is an organisation that keeps abreast of new and exciting ongoing research within the broader context of Southern Africa.
Date: 2008-12-12
Three brown hyena were introduced into Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock this week, becoming the first of their kind to be released in the area.
Date: 2008-12-12
In consideration of the safety of staff members following a recent robbery, management at Groenkloof National Park would like to inform all walk-in customers about the following changes in the business operation policy.
Date: 2008-12-12
The Reeds Motor Group and General Motors South Africa (GM) have provided a Hummer H3 to iKapa Honorary Rangers to support Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) with visitor safety over the festive season.
Date: 2008-12-11
There’s a week of fun-filled activities for children at the Addo Elephant National Park this December.
Date: 2008-12-11
Please note that there will be a power outage in the Tsitsikamma National Park from 09:00 – 17:00 on Friday, 12 December 2008, for maintenance purposes.
Date: 2008-12-11
The Limpopo River has tested positive for cholera, a provincial health department spokesperson told media on Tuesday, 2 December 2008.
Date: 2008-12-10
The proposal for proclaiming the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) was finally gazetted on the 21st of November and the proclamation of the Park is now only months away.
Date: 2008-12-10
The original route to the suspension bridge at the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) will be re-opened during the third week of December.
Date: 2008-12-09
SANParks is embarking on a Cultural Heritage Programme to bring awareness of its role in the conservation and management of cultural resources, as well as the mobilisation, promotion and recording of associated oral histories and indigenous knowledge systems within South Africa.
Date: 2008-12-08
The Johannesburg South branch of the Honorary Rangers of the South African National Parks announced the official launch of their first national SMS Competition on 24 November 2008 in aid of conservation - for a limited period up to 31 December 2008.
Date: 2008-12-05
The acting Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Mr Abe Sibiya officially opened the new R2,2-million Orpen Entrance Gate facility on Thursday December 4, 2008.
Date: 2008-12-05
South African National Parks (SANParks) marine rangers from the Addo Elephant National Park apprehended four suspects last night and a further two suspects this morning for diving illegally in the Bird Island Marine Protected Area.
Date: 2008-12-05
In a move poised to boost the fledgling economy of the Free State province, Golden Gate Highlands National Park – already a popular domestic and international tourism destination – is set to attract even more visitors this year.
Date: 2008-12-05
Members of the Kruger National Park (KNP) Management Committee showed their commitment to the rules and regulations of the park today (Friday December 5, 2008) by doing a blitz on visitors who choose to break the rules.
Date: 2008-12-04
The Park News: Table Mountain National Park - Third Quarter edition has been released highlighting TMNP's 10th anniversary as well as scooping the Productivity SA Award.
Date: 2008-12-04
The Knysna elephant that made her appearance on the 26th of November is a cow most probably between the age of 35 and 50 years.
Date: 2008-12-04
Please note that the Tsitsikamma Big Tree will be closed indefinitely from Friday, 5 December 2008 due to extensive road works on the N2 making access impossible.
Date: 2008-12-04
In accordance with their its ‘Lead the Way’ ethos and environmental policies Toyota South Africa, in conjunction with Vuswa Fleet Services, recently donated four Toyota Hilux bakkies to the South African National Parks (SANParks).
Date: 2008-12-03
The area now known as the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site has been occupied by diverse groups over time immemorial. Between about 900 and 1 300 it was the centre of the first powerful African kingdom in Southern Africa that laid the foundation for subsequent class-based settlements in the region.
Date: 2008-12-03
The Table Mountain National Park’s Invasive Species Control Unit team will hold an Aids/HIV awareness event.
Date: 2008-12-03
The Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) would like to warn visitors to be careful when walking in various popular routes in the Park as two South African women were mugged in two separate incidents on Lion’s Head around 19:20 on Tuesday, 2 December 2008.
Date: 2008-12-03
Please take note that reservations for the period 1 December 2009 to 15 January 2010 will open on 13 January 2009.
Date: 2008-12-01
Kruger National Park (KNP) personnel have been alerted about the activity of geocaching being carried out in the Park, and visitors are hereby informed that this is a prohibited and illegal activity in the Park.
Date: 2008-11-28
The Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize said farewell to the staff of the Kruger National Park (KNP) last night (Thursday November 27, 2008) during his farewell function.
Date: 2008-11-26
Please be advised that the entire website, including Online Bookings will be down on 26 November 2008 from 20:00 – 21:00 for a routine maintenance check on the system.
Date: 2008-11-26
For those who didn’t know, tomorrow 27 November 2008 marks the Forum’s Annual Birthday! To celebrate, the forum will be having a mass log-on, so do join us!
Date: 2008-11-26
The Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Dr Bandile Mkhize presented Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park with a rubber dingy on a loan basis yesterday (Tuesday November 25, 2008) to help with law enforcement in that park.
Date: 2008-11-24
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and the Western Cape provincial government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) have concluded an agreement that is aimed at improving the safety and security of tourists and hikers on Table Mountain.
Date: 2008-11-21
The 16th day of November was a special day for 13 year-old Shelbie Werth of Uitenhage; a day her dream came true at Addo Elephant National Park
Date: 2008-11-20
Mining and Industrial giant, Rio Tinto, at the Palabora Mining Company was recently approached by the Chairperson of the Bushveld region Honorary Rangers, for a donation.
Date: 2008-11-19
On Saturday 15 November 2008, the Honorary Rangers of the Bushveld region in Phalaborwa, held their Annual General Meeting in Letaba Rest Camp in Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2008-11-18
Bontebok National Park will re-open to the public on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 following flooding over the past week.
Date: 2008-11-17
The rest camp in Natures Valley, camping sites in Storms River and the Otter Trail at Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) are once again open for visitors as of Monday, 17 November 2008.
Date: 2008-11-14
Due to heavy rainfall received in theTsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) area over the last two days, management has decided to close the Otter Trail with immediate effect.
Date: 2008-11-13
Bontebok is currently closed due to flooding, and will be closed until further notice. The Park was closed with immediate effect this morning due to severe flooding inside the Park.
Date: 2008-11-12
My Acre of Africa has officially responded to the criticism received on the Carte Blanche programme aired on 9 November 2008 regarding its activities at the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2008-11-12
iKapa Honorary Rangers have launched a campaign to purchase specially designed penguin nest boxes for the Boulders Penguin Colony which is part of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).
Date: 2008-11-12
The first day of the Otter Trail at the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) has been temporary closed due to high seas and adverse weather conditions.
Date: 2008-11-11
The mailing system of the South African National Parks (SANParks) website has experienced some technical difficulties in the past five days which has resulted in the inability to receive e-mails from our valued internet users.
Date: 2008-11-11
The Honorary Rangers 2008 National Executive Committee (NEC) has been announced.
Date: 2008-11-06
South Africa today (06 November 2008) auctioned approximately 47 metric tons of stockpiled ivory. The sale, approved by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), took place in Pretoria.
Date: 2008-11-05
South Africa announced on 9 October 2008 their satisfaction with the integrity of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) accredited buyers systems of China and Japan for the once off sale of stockpiled ivory.
Date: 2008-11-05
South Africa will sell approximately 51 metric tons of stockpiled ivory in a once off sale to CITES accredited buyers China and Japan in a CITES approved sale.
Date: 2008-11-05
The road from Samevloeing to Rooiputs towards the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park will be closed for tourist traffic from January 2009 until August 2009 due to construction.
Date: 2008-10-31
As spring has sprung and summer arrives, it is once again time for boat owners to take to the water. The Knysna estuary has been the mecca for residents of and visitors to Knysna and provides endless entertainment for water lovers.
Date: 2008-10-30
Honorary Rangers Limpopo Region and BirdLife SA will be hosting a Raptor Identification Course during 5-9 March next year at the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2008-10-30
On 1 November 2008, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) tariffs will increase on average by R5.00 per day for visits to the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders, Silvermine, Oudekraal, and the popular Perdekloof, Newlands and Tokai picnic sites.
Date: 2008-10-29
Saturday 1 November will see cyclists of all ages and abilities pedaling through the Zuurberg Mountains in the Addo Elephant National Park and the gravel tracks of the Sundays River Valley.
Date: 2008-10-28
Starting from next month, visitors have the opportunity to explore the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) at half price from 6pm.
Date: 2008-10-28
Today three black rhino arrived at their new home in Karoo National Park near Beaufort West after translocation from Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape.
Date: 2008-10-28
South Africa is soon to be conducting its sale of approximately 51 tons of ivory as approved by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Standing Committee.
Date: 2008-10-23
The Sasol/Glendower Agulhas Birding Weekend took place very successfully during the 17-19 October 2008. Forty birders took part consisting of Bird Clubs and family groups mainly from Cape Town, the Boland and Overberg regions.
Date: 2008-10-23
The SANParks Invasive Species Clearing Unit based at Table Mountain National Park has organised a community walk from Blue Route shopping centre to the Retreat train station to raise awareness of how households can help preserve and protect ecosystems by planting indigenous plants.
Date: 2008-10-21
The primary goal for this trip was to train and inform members of the National Youth Committee about the new Junior Ranger (JR) program, this being P&C Regional coordinators as well Honorary Rangers Regional Facilitators.
Date: 2008-10-20
In an unusual incident, a woman was injured by a buffalo on the unguided Idwala Hiking Trail in Mountain Zebra National Park on Saturday morning, 18 October 2008.
Date: 2008-10-17
Telephone lines at Letaba Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) are currently down.
Date: 2008-10-17
SANParks, as part of the Garden Route Initiative (GRI) and with the financial support from the World Bank, is running a stewardship programme to motivate sustainable management of private land adjacent to the areas under their management.
Date: 2008-10-17
In 1994, soon after the introduction of the Kruger elephants, an assertive effort was made to verify the population status of the Knysna elephants.
Date: 2008-10-17
Bontebok National Park will be carrying out maintenance on chalets and the ablution block at Lang Elsies Kraal Rest Camp from Monday, 22 October 2008.
Date: 2008-10-13
The trading licence of Galewil Liquors which allows this company to trade in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has been suspended pending a full investigation into last week’s road accident on the Skukuza – Lower Sabie road which resulted in serious injuries to at least seven people.
Date: 2008-10-10
A trails ranger working in the Kruger National Park (KNP) was attacked by a lion this morning (Friday October 10, 2008) during a bush walk.
Date: 2008-10-07
The inaugural Sasol Wilderness Birding Experience finished yesterday after 5 days of concentrated bird watching in 17 venues in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo.
Date: 2008-10-06
SANParks has embarked on a fantastic project to increase tourism at the Cape Agulhas National Park through a challenging and creative design competition.
Date: 2008-10-03
Sprightly young dancers from Nelspoort kicked off the celebrations on Thursday 2 October as the Karoo National Park opened a new tourist road, environmental education centre and celebrated the completion of a new predator-proof fence line.
Date: 2008-10-03
Work has already started on a major upgrade on certain parts of the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) extensive tourist road network which will be completed in 2009.
Date: 2008-10-03
South African National Parks (SANParks) has released its first Economic Impact Assessment report.
Date: 2008-10-02
It was camera clicks and a lively music tempo as the girls came on stage, strutting their wares and moving to the music and cheers from well-wishers during the Miss Kruger National Park (KNP) Pageant.
Date: 2008-10-02
From August 2008 to April 2009, the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Carnivore Conservation Group (EWT-CCG) will once again team up with South African National Parks (SANParks) to conduct the 5th Wild Dog and 3rd Cheetah Photographic Census in and around the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Date: 2008-10-01
Addo Elephant National Park’s Hop-on Guides have received a boost with a donation of two pairs of binoculars from Mr. John Walton of the United Kingdom.
Date: 2008-10-01
Spring is in the air and there is a brand new mountain bike race taking place in the Eastern Cape: “The Mondi Packaging Addo Mountain Bike Challenge”.
Date: 2008-09-30
The South African National Parks would like to announce that with effect from 01 September 2009 we will be implementing an annual rates increase, earlier than the usual increase date of 01 November. This is due to the rapidly increasing inflation rate, experienced over the past couple of months.
Date: 2008-09-26
English batsmen fear his brutality as a bowler and Australians battle to hit runs off his violently pitched deliveries, but to the cricket lovers of Skukuza, he is our friend André.
Date: 2008-09-26
The Kruger National Park (KNP) reached an agreement with the Mkhuhlu Taxi Association (MTA) on Thursday, 25 September which could see local community members gaining easier access into the park.
Date: 2008-09-26
Table Mountain National (TMNP) took a step towards the realisation of the vision of enabling hikers to walk through natural wilderness from Cape Point to Table Mountain, with the opening of the Slangkop tented camp, which is part of the Hoerikwaggo Trail.
Date: 2008-09-26
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize welcomed 80 grade 10 learners from the Enhlanzeni Region of Mpumalanga to the launch of the “Walk in the Wild Side” today, 26 September.
Date: 2008-09-25
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Cape Town’s and South Africa’s top tourist attraction won the Public Sector category award at the annual National Productivity Awards for: “outstanding achievement in productivity improvement in the Public Sector Category”.
Date: 2008-09-25
A spectacular new hiking trail was opened on Tuesday, 23 September 2008 with the launch of the new combined boardwalk and water pipeline along 3.6km of the Touw River valley.
Date: 2008-09-25
One hundred senior citizens from the surrounding communities of the Kruger National Park (KNP) joined hands with 100 youths from those communities on Wednesday, 24 September to celebrate National Heritage Day at the Skukuza Soccer Stadium.
Date: 2008-09-25
In support of National Bandana Day and in solidarity with those fighting leukaemia , the staff of Wilderness National Park (now part of the Garden Route National Park) donned bandanas on Tuesday, 23 September 2008.
Date: 2008-09-23
SANParks Week kicked off on a high note on Monday 22 September when they launched the world standard Touw River boardwalk as part of the extended Half Coloured Kingfisher Hiking trail.
Date: 2008-09-23
SANParks Week was launched yesterday 22 September 2008. This week long celebration will focus on access to parks by South Africans and entry to all parks will be free from the 22nd to the 26th.
Date: 2008-09-23
The Kruger National Park Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize honoured all 84 of the park’s past and present trails rangers and the role these men and women have played in conservation for the past 30 years yesterday, 22 September 2008.
Date: 2008-09-23
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) acting managing executive Ms Lucy Nhlapo received a donation of 182 baboon-proof dustbins from the Honorary Rangers today, 23 September 2008.
Date: 2008-09-18
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk will officially open South African National Parks Week 2008 at West Coast National Park on Monday 22 September 2008. The occasion will include the opening of the Duinepos Chalets (a women-driven, community-based hospitality project) and will be broadcast live by SABC 2’s Morning Live.
Date: 2008-09-18
Routine patrols by the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) rangers, SANParks Corporate Investigation Services (CIS) and Marine Coastal Management (MCM) led to the arrest of six suspects and confiscated 2 544 abalone in the early hours of this morning, Thursday, 18 September 2008.
Date: 2008-09-17
All accommodation at the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) re-opened yesterday 16 September after it was damaged by high seas two weeks ago.
Date: 2008-09-17
The West Coast National Park will be allowing free entry at the gates from the 22 – 26 September during SA National Parks Week.
Date: 2008-09-17
The Shingwedzi Camp in the Kruger National Camp (KNP) will be temporarily closed from 19 - 21 September as it will be hosting a group of artists.
Date: 2008-09-17
The boardwalk to the very popular suspension bridge at the Tsitsikamma National Park was damaged by a fire in December 2007 and consequently the hiking trail that includes the bridge, had to be closed.
Date: 2008-09-17
The Wilderness branch of the SANParks Honorary Rangers is hosting the first-ever Sasol Wilderness Birding Experience from October 2-7, based around the Ebb and Flow camp of the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP).
Date: 2008-09-16
Six bull elephants will be relocated to Gorongosa National Park (GNP) in Mozambique from the Kruger National Park (KNP) this month as part of a plan to restore the 350 000 hectare park to its former glory.
Date: 2008-09-10
One of the most well-known tuskers of the Kruger National Park, Duke, has now broken both his tusks.
Date: 2008-09-09
Boulders Penguin Colony in Simon’s Town will be a hive of activities for families during the weekend of 27 and 28 September. Displays and videos; raffles; free guided tours; hair spraying, face painting, colouring in competitions – lots of prizes up for grabs!
Date: 2008-09-09
All webcams (Satara, Orpen and Nossob) have been temporarily activated
Date: 2008-09-05
Addo Elephant National Park rangers were evacuated from Bird Island in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape on Monday, 1st September, when high seas caused the water level to move about 15 meters inland.
Date: 2008-09-05
Shining chrome, spoke wheels, leather bonnet straps and plenty of old-time motoring nostalgia returned to one of the oldest tourist areas of the Kruger National Park (KNP) this week.
Date: 2008-09-03
Skilpad had 27mm of rain over the past weekend. There is no definite impact report that this would help the flowers over the long term, but it may at least extend the season for another week.
Date: 2008-09-02
Due to the unprecedented high seas along the Western and Eastern Cape Coast, the Tsitsikamma Storms River Rest Camp has been closed due to severe damage.
Date: 2008-09-01
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize accepted the Keep Kruger Clean pledge of 36 grade 10 school pupils from all around the Park in Skukuza on Saturday 30 August 2008 as part of the on-going Keep Kruger Clean Campaign.
Date: 2008-08-29
The sixth annual Sasol/Marakele Birding Breakaway will take place during the weekend of 17 - 19 October 2008 in Marakele National Park.
Date: 2008-08-28
Entries are now open for the Karoo National Park Mountain Bike Challenge to be held on 18 October 2008.
Date: 2008-08-28
They flocked into Skukuza. They came from as far as the Limpopo Valley in the far north of the country. They answered a call.
Date: 2008-08-27
The third Marakele NP Orientation course in 2008 was presented by Piet van Staden on behalf of the Marakele HRs on 16 August 2008.
Date: 2008-08-26
As part of the local youth development project, the Kruger National Park's People and Conservation Department organised the Schools Sports Challenge.
Date: 2008-08-26
The South African National Parks (SANParks) will officially launch the 2008 week-long celebration of access to parks by South Africans, i.e. SA National Parks Week in the Cape Region, on the 22nd of September. Access to most parks will be free from 22 - 26 September 2008.
Date: 2008-08-25
The Namaqua National Park is still very dry. No rain fell during the past week and the park is in urgent need of more rain if it wants to have a longer season.
Date: 2008-08-20
Wednesday, 20 August 2008 - TMNP rangers arrested 2 suspects, on Tafelberg Rd and Scarborough respectively, on Tuesday, 19 August.
Date: 2008-08-19
It is becoming very dry at the moment. We had 4 mm of rain on 15/08/2008, but are in urgent need of more rain if we want to have a longer season.
Date: 2008-08-15
A fire has been raging in the Zuurberg Mountain area of Addo Elephant National Park since Sunday afternoon, 10 August.
Date: 2008-08-15
This serves to inform all forum users that due to the massive systems upgrade of the SANParks website and subsequently the forum, access to the forum was temporarily interrupted this morning.
Date: 2008-08-14
Kruger National Park (KNP) Open Safari Vehicle (OSV) operator Thompsons Indaba Safaris presented the Park’s Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize with a framed pledge where all the guides that work for the company vow to maintain all the rules and regulations of the park this week (Monday August 11, 2008).
Date: 2008-08-14
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) today officially celebrated its 10th birthday, highlighting the major milestones achieved since the Park was proclaimed 10 years ago.
Date: 2008-08-13
Visitor Safety is once again firmly at the top of the agenda for Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). This week park managers revealed a consolidated strategy to be unleashed on the first day of spring, September 01, 2008, which will mesh professional park visitor safety activity with SAPS policing.
Date: 2008-08-11
Searching for places to go this Spring, Northern Region Parks (Mapungubwe, Marakele and Golden Gate National Parks) are the place to go.
Date: 2008-08-11
The flowers are currently excellent, with carpets of orange daisies covering large sections of the Skilpad area. The continuing sunny weather is causing quite a spectacle. It is however essential to get more rain in the coming week.
Date: 2008-08-08
Kruger National Park scientists, researchers and veterinarian surgeons teamed up with crocodile experts and other ecologists from universities and other institutions in yet another attempt at trying to unravel the mystery of the crocodile deaths in the Olifants and Letaba rivers this week.
Date: 2008-08-07
The northern access road to the Thulamela Heritage Site in the far northernmost region of the Kruger National Park (KNP) was closed today for necessary road works.
Date: 2008-08-07
We would like to inform all visitors to Bontebok National Park, that on Saturday, 9 August 2008, the Swellendam Canola WAF Mountain Bike race will be passing through the Park as part of the 55km race being hosted on the day. The cyclists will utilize the tourist roads and should be traveling through the Park between 11h00 and 14h00.
Date: 2008-08-05
Cape Town, 4 August 2008 – Table Mountain National Park’s expanded public works programme held a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, 30 July 2008 for 52 men and women who completed entry level training in carpentry, bricklaying and plastering.
Date: 2008-08-05
There has been no rain the past week in the park area. All the main roads in the area has been graded and repaired. The flowers are currently excellent, with carpets of orange daisies improving daily with the sunny weather. Other species are also making an appearance, including ‘kalkoentjies’, ‘meidesterte’ and purple vygies.
Date: 2008-08-04
The seas around the Cape Peninsula are rich in marine biodiversity as this area is a transitional zone where the warm Benguela and cold Atlantic currents mix. In July 2004 the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (MPA) was proclaimed in order to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources and provide protection for the varied species found in our oceans.
Date: 2008-07-30
The Table Mountain Cableway will re-open (weather permitting) to the public on Monday August 4, after completing its annual maintenance.
Date: 2008-07-29
Many environmentalists has described the Namaqualand wild flower season as one of the wonders of the world, with 2008 yet another promising year to experience the exceptional namaqua flowers. Over the past weeks Namaqua National Park has witness a sudden outburst of flowers, particularly of orange daisies and Gazanias.
Date: 2008-07-29
TMNP's expanded public works programme has created over 750 jobs for previously unemployed people from the communities surrounding the Park, using funds secured from DEAT Social Responsibility Programme (SRP) is drawing to a close.
Date: 2008-07-22
On Monday 21 July, Christmas came a little earlier for the members of SANParks involved with activities at Phalaborwa gate.
Date: 2008-07-21
Cape Town, Monday, 21 July 2008 - Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Cape Town's and South Africa's top tourist attraction won the Public Sector category award at the annual Western Cape Productivity Awards for "outstanding achievement in productivity improvement in the Public Sector Category". The awards, held for a second consecutive year by Productivity SA, were held on Thursday, 17 July 2008 in Cape Town.
Date: 2008-07-21
The front line staff of the prestigious 5 star Cape Grace, situated on a private quay at the V & A Waterfront attended a training course on Table Mountain National Park and its environs hosted by iKapa Honorary Rangers.
Date: 2008-07-21
iKapa Honorary Ranger Ruedi Siegenthaler was awarded a prestigious Merit Award at the recent Honorary Ranger Indaba held at Berg en Dal in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2008-07-17
The Camdeboo National Park surrounding the rural town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape is making a significant contribution to poverty alleviation and economic empowerment in the local community.
Date: 2008-07-15
Due to the unforseen increase in the CPIX rate Table Mountain Cableway has had to revise its rates for 2008/9 announced in January 2008.
Date: 2008-07-10
Table Mountain Cableway has extended its maintenance period from two to three weeks and will be closed from Monday July 14 until Sunday August 3. Mock-rescues will take place during this time with Cableway staff acting as visitors experiencing an emergency situation.
Date: 2008-07-10
For the first time 4x4 enthusiasts have the opportunity to explore a National Park and at the same time participate in a census that will have a meaningful impact on the knowledge base of the Park.
Date: 2008-07-09
The Lowveld Region of the Honorary Rangers participated in an Alien Invasive Task Group Excursion to Orpen on the 04 & 05 July. 20 Members attended the workparty.
Date: 2008-07-09
The Wilderness National Park (now part of the Garden Route National Park) launched it's new look on Tuesday, 1 July.
Date: 2008-07-08
Everyone knows the sight of the baboon proof (or Animal proof as we lately call them) dustbins that are scattered all over the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2008-07-08
Date: 2008-07-07
Date: 2008-07-03
Thursday, 3 July 2008 – Proactive staff members of Table Mountain National Park helped a British tourist recover stolen goods at Cape Point on Wednesday, 2 July. The tourist had been taking photographs when a man was seen picking up camera equipment and driving off with it.
Date: 2008-07-02
Booking opened on Wednesday 18th June for the 2009 West Rand Honorary Rangers birding weekend and by Thursday 19th June it was 90% full. Thankfully most guests provided four camp choices - Punda Maria, Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie could have been filled four times over! We now have 660 guests accommodated in nineteen camps over two weekends.
Date: 2008-07-01
From January 1 to December 31 last year, the Honorary Ranger’s (HR) corps contributed more than R12 million to the coffers of SANParks. This is 11 percent more than 2006. About R4 million is made up of ‘indirect’ costs that are incurred when HRs stay in the parks while performing duties or working on projects. Janssen Davies, chairman of the HR, also highlighted other milestones for the year in his report presented at the annual general meeting (AGM) which was held at Berg-en-Dal in the Kruger National Park (KNP) on May 24, 2008.
Date: 2008-06-30
The Mazda Wildlife Fund once again supported the annual Sunset Serenade, which took place from 18 – 22 June. The event, staged at the Kruger National Park, aimed to highlight the importance and prominent work of the Honorary Rangers of the Counter Poaching and Ranger Support Services Unit of South African National Parks.
Date: 2008-06-27
Wednesday, 25 June 2008 - Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) would like to warn visitors to the Park to be careful as there was an incident, where a group of four visitors and a guide were mugged at the Silvermine dam this afternoon. One of the visitors was stabbed.
Date: 2008-06-26
On Tuesday, June 24, 2008 the 11 riverside campsites in Lang Elsies Kraal Restcamp were flooded by the Breede River. Due to the continued high levels of the Breede River, all riverside campsites are subsequently closed until 30 September 2008. With further rain expected in the catchment area, this situation could be with us for some weeks.
Date: 2008-06-25
On Wednesday, 25th June 2008, the SANParks Forum reached a phenomenal milestone. At 07H13, the forum recorded its 500 000th post which was posted by forum member Jock.
Date: 2008-06-24
Once again, as it has happened in the past, the Honorary Rangers National Quiz team have walked away with the accolades. The quiz was held between two HR teams and two teams from SANParks.
Date: 2008-06-23
The Kruger National Park’s Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize accepted a donation of 195 MaxiBin cigarette disposal bins today (Monday June 23, 2008) from British American Tobacco (BAT) South Africa.
Date: 2008-06-20
Birders and nature lovers will jump at the opportunity to join a boat trip to Bird Island in Algoa Bay, home to the largest breeding colony of Cape gannets in the world.
Date: 2008-06-18
Attention all birders! Booking opens on 18 June 2008 for the ever popular Kruger Park Birding Weekend which will be hosted by West Rand Honorary Rangers at the end of January / beginning February 2009.
Date: 2008-06-18
Day visitors to the Kruger National Park will again be able to book ahead of time to secure their entrance to South Africa’s most well known national park.
Date: 2008-06-17
Louis Trichardt was the first white Voortrekker to trek through the present-day Kruger Park to Delagoa Bay (Maputo) in Mozambique. Most of his party succumbed to malaria on this journey.
Date: 2008-06-17
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk joined various other dignitaries and more than a thousand people to celebrate the Kruger National Park’s 110th Anniversary in Skukuza today (Saturday June 14, 2008).
Date: 2008-06-11
During late May 2008, the Honorary Ranger's National Project team for Public Environmental Awareness Program (PEAP), together with People and Conservation at Skukuza combined forces. They held a joint display at the Mkhuhlu Plaza near Hazyview in Mpumalanga.
Date: 2008-06-11
The year 2007 was a very good year for the members of the Bushveld region, it saw them winning the Honorary Rangers’ Region of the Year Award and SANParks Kudu Award.
Date: 2008-06-11
In Cape Town, Wednesday 11th June 2008, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) announced that it is going to undertake a major road, car park and bulk services infrastructure upgrade at Cape Point.
Date: 2008-06-09
The organisers of the Kruger National Park’s 110th Anniversary Celebration have commissioned a composer to write a song to commemorate this special occasion as part of the planned celebrations.
Date: 2008-06-09
iKapa Honorary Rangers has donated cyber trackers valued at R17 000 to Table Mountain National Park. At a function to celebrate 10 years of Table Mountain National Park 5 cyber trackers were presented to the park at the same time as Thorp Motor Group renewed its sponsorship of a Corsa Utility for use as a Penguin Rescue Vehicle.
Date: 2008-06-09
The Thorp Motor Group supported by Frontline Underwriters (Pty) Ltd has supplied a Corsa Utility to Table Mountain National Park. In a deal brokered by iKapa Honorary Rangers Thorp Auto will replace the current Corsa Utility which has been used for the past year to help save the lives of hundreds of penguins that have been washed up on our shores. The vehicle is constantly used to help with all facets of conservation along the shores of Table Mountain National Park.
Date: 2008-06-04
A think tank of veterinary surgeons, scientists, researchers, rangers and managers met in Skukuza in the Kruger National Park (KNP) yesterday (Tuesday June 3, 2008) to discuss the discovery of at least 30 of crocodile carcasses found in the Olifants River last week.
Date: 2008-06-03
People might be forgiven if they thought the Klondyk-era of the Lowveld Gold Rush had returned as cold coin aficionados from all over South Africa rushed to Skukuza in the Kruger National Park this Saturday (May 31, 2008).
Date: 2008-06-03
“In the immortal words of that well known song of the 1970s and 1980s by Cool and the Gang, let’s now celebrate and have a good time.”
Date: 2008-06-02
SANParks, Kruger National Park (KNP), has identified the need to upgrade the conference facility in Skukuza to a commercially-operated Conference Facility in the Skukuza Rest Camp.
Date: 2008-05-30
New technology and developments in the use of the Internet create new ways to communicate with the public. SANParks continuously strives to improve its service to its customers and is interested in your opinion about receiving basic weather reports via the web or a mobile phone.
Date: 2008-05-29
Visitors to the Kruger National Park this Saturday (May 31, 2008) will strike gold when they enter the park through any one of the 10 entrance gates.
Date: 2008-05-28
Black rhino conservation received a boost today (Wednesday May 30, 2008) as five of these animals boarded an aircraft bound for Zambia thanks to a relocation agreement between three African countries, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.
Date: 2008-05-28
The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park boasts yet another sought after adventure experience.
At Indaba in Durban earlier this month Transfrontier Parks Destinations announced the introduction of their Rio Elefantes Canoeing Trail in Mozambique’s Parque Nacional do Limpopo and posed the question “where else in Southern Africa can you paddle a major river between its confluences with two other major rivers"?
Date: 2008-05-27
A message to the tourism industry concerning current events in South Africa, from Mike Speed, President of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association.
Date: 2008-05-26
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has announced that operations will resume on Tuesday 20 May 2008, weather permitting.
Date: 2008-05-26
Between the 02 and 04 May 2008 a work-party of Honorary Rangers (HRs) was put together to clear Lantana Camara in the Malalane area of the KNP.
Date: 2008-05-23
A three-week long celebration of the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) 110th Birthday will kick off on Monday next week (Monday May 26, 2008) and will climax with the main event on Saturday June 14, 2008.
Date: 2008-05-22
Plans are being finalized, food is being prepared, speeches are being written, cultural dancers are practicing and the final touches are being done in expectation of the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) three week long celebration of 110 years of successful conservation.
Date: 2008-05-22
The Kruger National Park Rangers were out in the field today (Thursday May 22, 2008) near Malelane Entrance Gate in the extreme South of the park, where they celebrated their Ranger’s Day by demonstrating what they do best which is to combat poaching and to maintain the integrity of the park.
Date: 2008-05-20
The mild winters the Southern Coast experiences, makes Wilderness National Park a very appealing all year round destination. The whale season kicked-off early this year with many sightings of whales, seals and dolphins on the Wilderness Coast.
Date: 2008-05-20
Compact Section Winners of the SANParks Forum Amateur Photography Competition 2008.
Date: 2008-05-19
Three tourist roads in the Malelane Entrance Gate/Berg en Dal Rest Camp area of the Kruger National Park (KNP) will be temporarily closed on Thursday, May 22, 2008 to ensure visitor safety during a ranger demonstration from KNP Entrance Gate opening time (06:00) until the end of the demonstration at 11:00.
Date: 2008-05-19
As part of the pilot security intervention for Signal Hill and Tafelberg Roads, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) prepared a crime threat analysis, which was tabled at a briefing session for Chubb and Fidelity security companies. The two companies will assist Table Mountain National Park in managing security on Signal Hill and Tafelberg Roads in the evening in line with the agreement brokered by the City of Cape Town.
Date: 2008-05-19
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has closed until further notice in order to allow a Swiss specialist to fly to Cape Town to repair an intricate part of its motor control which is damaged.
Date: 2008-05-15
From 3-16 August 2008 an archaeological excursion will again be conducted at one of the outposts of the Steinaecker’s Horse unit in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2008-05-13
At a Media Briefing, during Tourism Indaba 2008, South African National Parks (SANParks) announced that its tourism infrastructure upgrade programme is on course.
Date: 2008-05-08
As per tradition initialized last year, please note that the 2008 Kudu Awards include what we view as a very significant role by members of the SANParks Forum and that is the nomination of staff members who appear to excel in their standards of service delivery and are prepared to go the extra mile to make our clients' experiences in various parks, as comfortable as possible.
Date: 2008-05-07
SANParks celebrated Earth Day 2008 on Tuesday 22 April by voluntarily shutting down all non-essential electricity for two hours and by signing a pledge and making a promise to help preserve the Earth and her natural resources.
Date: 2008-05-07
Please find herewith the Stiffnecks latest newsletter.
Date: 2008-05-05
The only 100-Mile Trail Run in the country was hosted in Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape today and yesterday. Designed to test trail runners both mentally and physically, the trail tracks the mountains and valleys of the Park. Runners are challenged to run primarily on tracks within the park itself as well as some stretches of gravel roads.
Date: 2008-05-05
A section of one of the key tourist roads in the Kruger National Park (KNP), the H1-2 between Skukuza Rest Camp and Tshokwane Picnic Site will be closed for necessary maintenance on Wednesday May 7, 2008 by the park’s Technical Services.
Date: 2008-04-30
Gas supplier TotalGaz recently supplied replacement game sighting boards to all the camps in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in order to make game spotting easier for tourists.
Date: 2008-04-29
Five more emerging tuskers have been identified thanks to the excellent quality of entries from the members of the public who took part in the 2007 Kruger National Park (KNP) Emerging Tuskers Competition from January to December last year.
Date: 2008-04-28
The Kruger National Park (KNP) has implemented a water sampling and monitoring regime to reduce the risk of further animal deaths caused by blue-green algal blooms in man-made dams in the park.
Date: 2008-04-28
Elephant researchers from all over the world presented their latest findings at the SANParks 6th Annual Science Network meeting in Skukuza on Tuesday 22 April 2008. Most of them are working in the Kruger National Park, but results from neighbouring private reserves, Northern Botswana and KwaZulu-Natal offered interesting comparisons and much food for thought for the more than 200 scientists at the meeting.
Date: 2008-04-28
No matter how big or small, creatures like white rhinos and termites are both key species to sustain and promote biodiversity. This is just one of the messages that delegates of the 2008 Science Network Meeting in Skukuza heard this week.
Date: 2008-04-28
Fire is a tool used to rejuvenate savanna ecosystems and boost biodiversity, but in order to achieve the maximum benefit, it is important that the fire must not be too intense. This is yet another message that was heard at the 2008 Science Network Meeting, which is currently going on at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2008-04-28
Janet Edwards, a Masters’ student at the University of Pretoria, thanked tourists who visited the Kruger National Park late last year for their help in making her wild dog research project possible. She reported on her research into wild dog genetics at SANParks’ 6th Annual Science Network meeting, held in Skukuza this week (21 – 25 April 2008).
Date: 2008-04-25
Many travellers are expected to travel to Mpumalanga and Mozambique, and again back to Gauteng over the next two long weekends.
Date: 2008-04-23
We need "business unusual" instead of "business as usual" to meet the future challenges of managing protected areas, was the message of Dr David Mabunda, CEO of SANParks, at the opening of the 6th Annual Science Networking Meeting of SANParks. More than 200 scientists from South Africa and around the world are gathered at Skukuza from 21 – 25 April 2008 for the event.
Date: 2008-04-18
The 18th of April marks a major highlight in the Northern Region’s Events Calendar. Since it’s inception last year, the regional awards function has grown from strength to strength and staff are encourgaed to excel and take pride in their work
Date: 2008-04-18
Please note that the Brandwag Hotel will be undergoing extensive upgrading between the 12th of January 2009 and the 31st of March 2010.
Date: 2008-04-17
The Kruger National Park (KNP) will host scientists and researchers from around the world at the Sixth Annual SANParks Science Network Meeting which will take place from April 21 – 25, 2008 in the Gold Fields Auditorium at the Stevenson-Hamilton Knowledge Resource Centre in Skukuza.
Date: 2008-04-16
South African National Parks (SANParks), in association with Miss Earth South Africa, will be commemorating International Earth Day on Tuesday, 22 April 2008, as part of a global effort to highlight the issue of environmental conservation.
Date: 2008-04-16
At a gala graduation ceremony in Upington, on 11 April 2008, three proud Kgalagadi staff members received their National Diploma’s in Tourism Management from the Vaal University of Technology, after four long years of dedicated hard work.
Date: 2008-04-16
SANParks is in search of a Web Content Editor! If you're passionate about our parks and excited by the thought of exploring them with words, if you're intrigued by the interaction between wildlife and the web, please read this job advertisement, and submit your CV!
Date: 2008-04-15
Kruger National Park rangers and conservation management officials have started draining operations at Silolweni Dam near Tshokwane Picnic Site today (Tuesday April 15, 2008) to prevent algal poisoning of the wildlife in the area.
Date: 2008-04-14
All road rejuvenation of tarred roads in the Karoo National Park is now complete and there will be no further closure of tourist roads. The 4x4 roads are still closed until further notice.
Date: 2008-04-14
The West Rand Honorary Rangers are proud to present their inaugral Beginner's Birding Course in Kruger National Park in October 2008. The event will be run along similar lines to the region's very successful Kruger Birding Weekend, which is held in January each year, and sponsored by SASOL.
Date: 2008-04-11
Request for Expression of Interest Issued by South African National Parks in Respect of the proposed public private partnership projects for the Thesen Island development in the Knysna National Lake Area.
Date: 2008-04-11
Please take note that the Request for Proposal (RFP) and Information Memorandum documents will be available on this web page by 16h00 on Monday the 14th of April 2008.
Date: 2008-04-03
2008 is the fourth year of a brand that has grown to a successful and critical milestone on the annual events calendar of the South African National Parks (SANParks).
Date: 2008-04-02
National Parks are not for sale, they belong to the nation. The National Parks Movement which was initiated by the United States of America in 1872, with the establishment of the Yellowstone National Park was one that was based, not on need for science, profit making, tourism or even ecosystems management, but rather the creation of heritage symbols for the nation.
Date: 2008-04-01
After working in the Kruger National Park for 17 years, and moving to the Northern Cape to open the new Mokala National Park, was I absolutely amazed and thrilled to find my first ROAR, something I so dearly missed...
Date: 2008-04-01
The new petrol prices for KNP have been updated on the website. Petrol and diesel are available at all major camps. As the garages in the park only accept cash or garage cards, you're advised to take sufficient South African Rands with you to pay for your fuel for the duration of your stay.
Date: 2008-03-31
Please note that as the 2nd of May 2008 has been declared a public holiday in South Africa, SANParks Reservations for April 2009 will open on the 5th May 2008.
Date: 2008-03-28
The Boland Honorary Rangers (HRs) adopted the little-known Tankwa-Karoo National Park early in 2007. The park is found in one of the most starkly beautiful areas in South Africa. To get there you take the road which winds from Ceres in a north-westerly direction to Calvinia...
Date: 2008-03-27
The Kruger National Park (KNP) Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize today praised the quick reaction of a Kruger National Park (KNP) anti-poaching team which arrested three suspected rhino poachers and confiscated two rifles and four freshly harvested rhino horns earlier this week.
Date: 2008-03-26
Please note that due to repeated copper wire theft, the phone lines to Mapungubwe National Park are frequently interrupted or out of operation. In order to contact the park please e-mail mapungubwe@sanparks.org
Date: 2008-03-25
South Africans familiar with recent power outages may be bemused by the World Wildlife Fund's concept of voluntarily switching off all the lights for one hour at 20h00 on the 29 March this year, but SANParks E-Business supports this global call for action and is asking SANParks global website community to observe Earth Hour 2008.
Date: 2008-03-20
The Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Dr Bandile Mkhize received a full set of the park’s new 40 module guide training manual at Skukuza yesterday (Monday March 17, 2008).
Date: 2008-03-20
In a collaborative effort between the Port Elizabeth College, the Mining Qualifications Authority, PPC and the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM), 40 creative young people are being trained in indigenous jewellery design in the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2008-03-19
The Kokerboomkloof Camping Site in Richtersveld National Park has been closed temporarily due to inoperable ablution blocks. No new reservations will be accepted for Kokerboomkloof until the problem has been rectified. However, Richtersveld has made arrangements to accommodate existing reservations and will be providing them with portable chemical toilets. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Date: 2008-03-18
The Easter weekend (21-24 March) is one of the busiest periods on the N4 toll route. Trans African Concessions appeal to road users to plan their journeys and travel out of peak periods, where possible.
Date: 2008-03-18
Day visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) will no longer be able to book their entry as this will be done on a strict first come first served basis.
Date: 2008-03-18
The Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Dr Bandile Mkhize warmly welcomed library representatives from all over the country for the official launch of Library Week 2008 in Skukuza today (Saturday, March 15, 2008).
Date: 2008-03-18
The Kruger National Park (KNP) managing executive, Dr Bandile Mkhize expressed his sincere sympathies this morning to the next of kin of the two students that died in Pretoriuskop Rest Camp swimming pool on Friday night (March 14, 2008).
Date: 2008-03-12
Mokala National Park is SANParks newest park, situated approximately 80km south-southwest of Kimberley. The 19th of June 2007 saw the official proclamation, naming and launch of Mokala National Park by Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk. Mokala is a Setswana name for a Camel Thorn (Acacia erioloba) (Kameeldoring). These distinctive trees occur in dry woodland and arid, sandy areas and are one of the major tree species of the desert regions of Southern Africa.
Date: 2008-03-12
This is a general newsletter – sent out on a bimonthly basis - about the latest happenings and developments in the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2008-03-10
The South African National Parks (SANParks) is embarking on a number of proposed activities to upgrade the existing facilities in the Kruger National Park camps to continue to offer visitors a splendid experience. These proposed upgrades are in line with the Kruger National Park Management Plan and with the SANParks vision that National Parks will be the pride and joy of all South Africans and the world. This Background Information Document (BID) describes the proposed upgrade to facilities in the Letaba camp.
Date: 2008-03-10
How do you monitor changes in the environment in a place as vast as the Kalahari? This was on the minds of staff from SANParks Scientific Services as they travelled the long road from Skukuza in the Kruger National Park to Twee Rivieren in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Date: 2008-03-07
With fresh faces and new uniforms, the 2008 intake of 18 Conservation Diploma Students joined the ranks of SANParks staff in January this year. Each year the Kruger National Park (KNP) hosts conservation diploma students from various learning institutions around the country for a year of “experiential training”.
Date: 2008-03-07
The Nxanatseni region of the Kruger National Park recently held its annual long service awards at the Shingwedzi Rest Camp. These awards are designed to honour those staff members who have given dedicated service to the South African National Parks over interval periods of 5 years (5; 10; 15; 20; 25; 30; 35)
Date: 2008-03-06
Thursday, 6th March 2008 - The arrest of four muggers on Wednesday, 5th March 2008 brings the number of suspects arrested on Table Mountain in the last 14 days to six, says Paddy Gordon, operations manager for the northern section of Table Mountain National Park.
Date: 2008-03-06
Elizabeth Fete, General Worker at the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre at Cape Point; Jeffrey Ntsomboyi, (Field Ranger in the Cape of Good Hope Section); and Vuyokazi Xabanisa (Sales Assistant at Boulders Penguin Colony) lost their homes and belongings in the devastating fire that raged through Redhill on Friday, 8th February 2008.
Date: 2008-03-03
Visitors to Camdeboo National Park should note that the Game Viewing Area will be closed during the month of March 2008 due to upgrading of the tourist roads in this area. We apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.
Date: 2008-02-27
Today (Tuesday, 25 February, 2008) the Chief Executives of South African National Parks (SANParks) and Eastern Cape Parks signified their commitment to collaborate on conservation and tourism issues in a Technical Cooperation Agreement.
Date: 2008-02-27
Please find herewith Bankenveld's planned events for 2008.
Date: 2008-02-26
The year has started off on several good notes, the first being the West Rand Honorary Ranger’s annual birding weekend, which a Stiffnecks team participated in and thoroughly enjoyed!
Date: 2008-02-26
The beautiful Kruger landscape is home to an amazing array of fauna, flora, and, on occasion, cricketers! The cricket oval near Skukuza is a hidden gem, carefully maintained in amidst the Kruger bushveld. The players? An assorted bunch of Scientists, Rangers, Field Guides and community members from Skukuza, the Northern Region and the SANParks online forum, who will be playing cricket to raise funds for SANParks!
Date: 2008-02-26
The Endangered Wild Life Trust's 'Birds of Prey Working Group' (EWT-BoPWG) recently launched a Lowveld/Kruger National Park (KNP) Large Bird Project. To support this project, the group are looking at working with SANParks to provide training to Field Rangers on the identification and monitoring of some of the key large bird species in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2008-02-25
Visitors to Karoo National Park should note that all tourist roads in the Park will be rejuvenated over the next 6 weeks. Sections of the roads may be closed temporarily for periods of time (specific times are not available at present). 4x4 routes are also closed until further notice because of road works. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Date: 2008-02-25
On Saturday, 23 February 2008, close family, a few selected SANParks officials and the press witnessed the unveiling of a memorial in honour of the late writer, Dalene Matthee. It was Matthee ’s fervent wish to have her ashes scattered in the Knysna Forest and her three daughters saw it as a fitting remembrance to their mom, to have a special memorial erected in the place Matthee so loved.
Date: 2008-02-25
The Chief Executive of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced today that South African National Parks (SANParks) welcomes the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk's, announcement of the Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in National Parks and other protected areas.
Date: 2008-02-21
Congratulations are due to all the staff from both Conservation and Scientific Services who received acknowledgement for their long service to SANParks in the Kruger National Park. The combined long service award ceremony was held on Friday 8 February 2008 at the Skukuza Golf Club in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2008-02-21
First appointed to SANParks in February 1973 as a general worker, Johan Sithole began his long and productive career at Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park. In November 1973 Johan was transferred to the north of Kruger to Mooiplaas section.
Date: 2008-02-21
Read and enjoy TMNP's very own newsletter, packed full of useful and entertaining information!
Date: 2008-02-21
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has announced its toll tariff adjustments, which will be effective on (inclusive) 1 March 2007.
Date: 2008-02-21
On Friday 15 February the Honorary Rangers National Executive Committee met in one of South Africa’s most spectacular parks, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The Chairpersons from the various regions met there on Saturday 16 February.
Date: 2008-02-19
The Sycamore Fig (Ficus sycomorus) is a tall, distinctive tree with a yellowish bark and fluted stem that we see growing along the rivers in the Kruger National Park. This spectacular tree is home to a host of insects, reptiles, rodents and birds – many of which we will never see. The feast of figs it produces all year round is a source of food for all the savanna inhabitants from monkeys in the branches to impala and warthog eating the fallen fruit on the ground. But how many of us are aware of the intricate web of life surrounding these figs that hang so abundantly from the branches of the tree?
Date: 2008-02-19
Water is a limited resource that people all around the world have to share. Discussions around this complex issue were the subject of a workshop entitled “Dynamics of Institutions in Water Resource Management” which was held from the 9th to 11th January 2008 at the Center for the Study of Institutional Diversity (CSID) at Arizona State University, USA.
Date: 2008-02-19
The Klipspringer Pass in the Karoo National Park will be closed from the 19th February 2008 for a period of two weeks for resurfacing. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to visitors.
Date: 2008-02-19
Today South African National Parks (SANParks) responded to statements that have been made through the media regarding the possible auction of 50 rhino by representatives of Campaign Against Canned Hunting.
Date: 2008-02-19
The Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) is holding its annual memorial & thanks-giving service at Maclears Beacon on the top of Table Mountain on Sunday 24 February.
Date: 2008-02-15
How water moves through the landscape affects both the vegetation and the animals living there. Water in the environment is very diverse and we often just think of flowing rivers and streams, but there is more to this dynamic than meets the eye.
Date: 2008-02-14
Why do lovers love SANParks? Valentines Day is the perfect time to celebrate the role that SANParks has played in a number of love stories over the years - as a destination, as a shared passion, and a place where love and life can flourish under wide open skies, surrounded by wild nature in all its glory.
Date: 2008-02-14
Please read this notice of Environmental Impact Assessment Process for the proposed establishment of a Rest Camp and associated infrastructure in West Coast National Park.
Date: 2008-02-12
Bankenveld Honorary Rangers held their annual year-end meeting on a beautiful Saturday morning at Knopberg, the property of Iaan van der Walt in the Vredefort Dome.
Date: 2008-02-12
Lammertjiesleegte Road in the Karoo National Park will operate on a stop/go system from Wednesday 13 February to Friday 15 February 2008. Visitors may still use the road but delays may be experienced. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Date: 2008-02-11
Barcoding is no longer a term only affiliated to consumer goods. Thanks to the research efforts made by Dr Michelle van der Bank of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and a group of international scientists, a gene has been identified to distinguish between the majority of plant species on earth.
Date: 2008-02-11
This month, SANParks welcomes the 2008 intake of Global Vision International (GVI) volunteers, who are beginning their work programme with South African National Parks.
Date: 2008-02-08
Please note that the SANParks Reservations fax service on number +27(0)12 343-0905 has been restored.
Thank you for your patience!
Date: 2008-02-08
Essential repairs to some of the tar roads in the Karoo National Park will begin today.
Date: 2008-02-07
Please note that the SANParks Reservations fax +27(0)12 343-0905 is currently out of order.
Clients are advised to submit their faxes to +27(0)12 426-5500.
Apologies for the inconvenience!
Date: 2008-01-31
On the eve of the closure of the wild abalone commercial fishery and the implementation of the diving ban, sixteen people involved in illegal diving in the Bird Island Marine Protected Area (MPA) were arrested yesterday, Wednesday 30 January, during collaborative compliance efforts between officials from the South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s (DEAT) marine and coastal management division.
Date: 2008-01-31
Visitors should note that due to the Eskom power problems, the power supply at Karoo National Park will be switched off at the following times...
Date: 2008-01-29
For your convenience, the period for Online Bookings has now been extended to 9 months! (Used to be 6 months).
Happy Bookings at SANParks!
Date: 2008-01-29
Cape Town, Sunday 27 January 2008 –Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has requested the SAPS to step up patrols between Redhill and Oceanview areas, as a result of 12 fires, all believed to be deliberate, which all happened in the last 23 days.
Date: 2008-01-25
Based on the success of their inaugral birding weekend last year, the Karoo Honorary Rangers have decided that the birding weekend will become an annual event, with the support of Karoo National Park management. They are excited to announce that their next birding weekend will take place from the 18th to the 20th April 2008.
Date: 2008-01-25
The Glendower Wader Bash at West Coast National Park is a unique opportunity to experience the vast wealth of birds of Langebaan Lagoon and the surrounding Park, a RAMSAR site of international status.
Date: 2008-01-25
The Honorary Rangers of the Addo Elephant National Park are organising their 3rd annual golf day on 6 June 2008 at Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth. All funds raised will assist towards the further improvement of facilities and conservation support work at the Addo Elephant National Park, the prime tourism destination in the Eastern Cape.
Date: 2008-01-25
The SANParks forums host hundreds of images that forum members have taken in our parks, and then chosen to share in the online environment. As the quality and the quantity of images submitted has grown, so too has our forum community, which now boasts several keen amateur photographers among its ranks.
Date: 2008-01-25
The first cheetah cubs ever have been sighted in Mountain Zebra National Park after cheetah were introduced to the Park in May 2007.
Date: 2008-01-25
There’s still time to enter the Karoo National Park’s 21.1 km Half Marathon or 10 km Fun Run to be held on the 16th of February 2008.
Date: 2008-01-24
iKAPA Honorary Rangers Eileen and Paul van Helden donated 4 global positioning system units (etrex Garmin GPS) to Namaqua National Park manager Bernard van Lente on 11 January 2008. These small units are about the size of a thick cell phone and are extremely robust and user friendly.
Date: 2008-01-24
Bookings are open for the Golden Gate Highlands National Park (GHNP) Big Birding day that will run from the 18-20 April 2008.
Date: 2008-01-24
Please note that as part of the ongoing efforts to improve facilities, Glen Reenen Rest Camp in Golden Gate National Park is busy renovating ablution blocks for their camping area. Park management would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause to guests.
Date: 2008-01-23
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has expressed sympathy for the visitors affected by the Eskom power outages which immobilised the cable cars last night.
Date: 2008-01-23
The Table Mountain Cableway Company has reassured visitors that the correct emergency procedures were followed and no lives were endangered on Monday night when an Eskom power outage resulted in people being stranded in cable cars.
Date: 2008-01-21
A special birding event has been planned for the Southern Cape region under the auspices of the Southern Cape Honorary Rangers and the generous support of SASOL and Glendower.
Date: 2008-01-21
The services of 3 full-time volunteers are required for detailed vegetation surveys along selected transects in the SavFIRE programme in the Satara area of the Kruger National Park From 1 April to 31 April 2008. The basis of the work will be look at the grass species composition and tree species along transects set out in the SavFIRE programme.
Date: 2008-01-18
The West Coast National Park’s Honorary Rangers presented a Christmas celebration late last year on 16 December in the wedding marquee at Geelbek. “Christmas Carols On The Lawn” commenced at 17h30 and all the locals who joined the West Coast Honorary Rangers for this picnic celebration were allowed into the park free of charge from 16h30 with their picnic baskets and blankets.
Date: 2008-01-18
A systematic tree marking process in Kruger National Park (KNP) is the first step by SANParks' Scientific Services staff in Skukuza towards producing more detailed biodiversity surveys in the park. Dimitri Dimopoulos, one of SANParks volunteer Honorary Rangers, recently assisted in this process...
Date: 2008-01-16
Cape Town, Monday, 14 January 2008 – Table Mountain National Park’s Cape Point section had 111 293 visitors between 1 December 2007 and 1 January 2008. This is a 2.7 percent increase compared with the same period last year. Nearly 10 percent of the visitors used a Wild Card to gain access to the Park.
Date: 2008-01-11
The near-threatened Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) is arguably the largest fish-eating seabird endemic to the South African West Coast. It can be recognised in flight by its huge wingspan, S-shaped neck, long beak, its penchant for soaring in thermals and for flying in formation. Some call it the Jumbo Jet of the birds.
Date: 2008-01-01
The 6th Annual Science Network meeting wil be held in Skukuza, Kruger National Park (KNP) from 21 to 25 April 2008. Registration will take place on Sunday afternoon and the meeting will commence on Monday morning.
Date: 2007-12-30
The Mopane tree with its distinctive ‘Butterfly’ shaped leaves is a principle food source for many insects and animals. Over the last few weeks the Speckled Emperor Moth (Gynanisa maia) have hatched in big numbers and have been utilizing these leaves. These voracious feeders will be stiff competition for the more common Mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina), as they are currently stripping the Mopane trees of their leaves.
Date: 2007-12-28
This is the time of year when little black moths which look like wasps are seen in swarms flying in front of cars and visiting the flowers of many shrubs such the Velvet Wild-medlar (Vangueria infausta) and Buffalo-thorn (Ziziphus mucronata). These are the Burnet moths.
Date: 2007-12-26
Nine-year old Lola Douglas of Toronto, Canada was so inspired by what she heard about conservation in South Africa that she collected R900 to donate to Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2007-12-22
Please find herewith the draft Honorary Ranger 2008 Indaba Programme. The Indaba will be held at Berg en Dal Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park
Date: 2007-12-21
In February 2007 a special data logging collar (which records the daily movements of the animal using GPS co-ordinates) was fitted to a sable in a naturally occurring herd in the southern area of the Limpopo National Park, Mozambique. This was part of a study being done by Mr Valerio Macandza from Wits University to obtain comparative data on sable movements in Limpopo Natinal Park and in Kruger National Park (KNP). Valerio has been studying sable for the last 3 years in the Punda Maria area of the KNP. The collared sable was part of a herd of 4 females.
Date: 2007-12-21
Tsitsikamma's Nature's Valley Rest Camp, and Wilderness National Park re-open today (21 December 2007) in time for some holiday fun, Garden Route style.
Date: 2007-12-21
Tsitsikamma's Nature's Valley Rest Camp, and Wilderness National Park re-open today (21 December 2007) in time for some holiday fun, Garden Route style.
Date: 2007-12-20
In light of recent road closures caused by heavy rain in the Kruger National Park (KNP), SANParks online forum members have come up with an innovative way to keep each other up to date with conditions in the park.
Date: 2007-12-20
After many months the doors to the Elephant Hall in Letaba Rest Camp have been replaced through the combined efforts of the Bushveld Region Honorary Rangers, People and Conservation's Kirsty Redman, and the many members of the public who donated money to this worthy cause.
Date: 2007-12-20
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - a spectacular desert landscape dominated by red dunes and scrublands that support herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland, blue wildebeest, huge black-mane lions, leopards and raptors - needs your help!
Date: 2007-12-20
The 2006 Kruger National Park (KNP) Emerging Tuskers Competition attracted more than 180 individual entries and has identified eight new emerging tuskers, bringing the total to 50. You have until the 31 December 2007 to get your entries in for the 2007 Competition!
Date: 2007-12-19
Some welcome rain and the high temperatures mean that summer has arrived at full swing in the Lowveld. During this hot season, an intrepid group of volunteer researchers are busy every day monitoring what insects, snakes, frogs and rodents are moving about in the veld of the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2007-12-18
Cape Town, 15 December 2007 – Routine Marine Protected Area (MPA) patrols by the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) marine rangers led to the seizure of a vessel with 121 perlemoen (abalone) and 3 crayfish (West Coast Rock Lobster) and a vehicle during this evening (Saturday, 15 December 2007).
Date: 2007-12-18
Following the recent, devastating floods in the Southern Cape, which saw a record amount of 435 mm of rain hitting the George area in two days, mop-up operations at Wilderness National Park's Ebb and Flow south and north rest camps, Wilderness beaches, Touw River Mouth, the Lagoon, Island Lake, Swartvlei Mouth, forest picnic sites and the Woodville 'Big Tree' are proceeding according to schedule and the park will re-open on the 21 December 2007 as planned.
Date: 2007-12-14
The desert wakens with the morning sun, still and silent. You watch as a cautious Gemsbok moves towards the Nossob waterhole, and the sky turns from silver to blue…Then you turn to your e-mails, ignore the roar of traffic outside your window, and the daily grind begins - with periodic breaks of course to check in on the waterhole via SANParks latest webcam, positioned at Nossob in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Date: 2007-12-14
Kruger National Park (KNP) rangers and operators from South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Investigation Services (CIS) shot and killed a poacher during a skirmish in the early hours of this morning (Friday December 14, 2007).
Date: 2007-12-13
Kruger National Park's People and Conservation Department in conjunction with Singita Kruger National Park, a Kruger National Park (KNP) concessionaire, will run an Arts and Craft exhibition from 24 to 26 December 2007 at Nwanetsi Picnic Spot. The event is intended to support, market and promote the local crafters’ products to the guests who will visit the park during this time.
Date: 2007-12-12
"I'm on a quest to detect and map tree density in the Skukuza area, using remote sensing technology " says German geography student, Claudia Jobst.
This quest is part of a six-month internship at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the Earth Observation Group “Ecosystems Earth Observation” which Claudia started in October this year.
Date: 2007-12-12
Please note that the Swimming Pool at Mopani Rest Camp in the KNP is closed indefinitely pending the acquisition of new a pump. SANParks apologises for any inconvenience caused.
Date: 2007-12-12
The Nxanatseni Region in the Kruger National Park is offering a 20% Seasonal Discount on all Accommodation excluding Guest houses in the Main camps, Camping and 6-Bed Guest Cottages at Mopani.
Date: 2007-12-12
In terms of act and Government notice R385 of the regulations in terms of chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act 1998, published in Government Gazette 28753 of 21 April 2006, the interested and affected parties are herewith notified of the intent to carry out the upgrading of the Low Level crossing of the Crocodile River at the Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2007-12-12
Please note that in order to provide better service to our valued guests, the bookings for December 2008 will be open on the 7th January 2008 instead of the 02nd January 2008 as has been customary.
Date: 2007-12-12
Day visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) are urged to book their visit in advance to avoid disappointment.
Date: 2007-12-12
In terms of act and Government notice R385 of the regulations in terms of chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act 1998, published in Government Gazette 28753 of 21 April 2006, the interested and affected parties are herewith notified of the intent to carry out the upgrading of the Phabeni Entrance Gate in the Kruger National Park , which will include the following: new reception area, a Wild Card booth lane, park and ride facilities and an entrance gate for My Acre of Africa.
Date: 2007-12-11
SANParks Northern Region (Mapungubwe, Marakele and Golden Gate) has published SANParks first ever braille brochure for visually impaired visitors.
Date: 2007-12-11
SANParks Northern Region (Mapungubwe, Marakele and Golden Gate) has published SANParks first ever braille brochure for visually impaired visitors.
Date: 2007-12-11
SANParks Northern Region (Mapungubwe, Marakele and Golden Gate) has published SANParks first ever braille brochure for visually impaired visitors.
Date: 2007-12-11
SANParks Northern Region (Mapungubwe, Marakele and Golden Gate) has published SANParks first ever braille brochure for visually impaired visitors.
Date: 2007-12-11
Table Mountain National Park is a popular destination for a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities with around 25 approved recreational activities occurring in the park. These include mountain biking; hiking; horse-riding; sport-climbing; hang-gliding; fishing; diving; surfing; picnicking; and walking with dogs.
Date: 2007-12-11
Table Mountain National Park has released the December 2007 Revised Management Framework for Tokai and Cecilia. Herewith please find the links to the explanatory maps for Tokia and Cecilia, as well as other material pertaining to park planning.
Date: 2007-12-10
It has come to the attention of South African National Parks (SANParks) that tour operators often register corporate names or domain names that incorporate the park names of SANParks.
Date: 2007-12-06
Cape Town, Thursday, 6 December 2007 – Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) today presented revised Management Framework proposals for Tokai and Cecilia plantations. The revised proposals were prepared in consultation with various stakeholder groupings including Dept. of Water Affairs and Forestry, City of Cape Town, Urban Forests Protection Group, Cool Forests, local ratepayers and friends groups, South African National Biodiversity Institute, World Wide Fund for Nature, ICOMOS, and others, concerned with the biodiversity, heritage and recreation in the area.
Date: 2007-12-05
This is a summary of all current accommodation in SANParks with adapted ablutions for mobility impaired guests, as at November 2007. Other accommodation may be accessible to greater or lesser degrees but with no adaptations to ablutions. Only camping sites with adapted accessible ablutions are listed.
Date: 2007-12-05
A massive campaign to uphold the rules and regulations has been launched in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in an attempt to bring rule-breakers to book during the festive season. “We have received many complaints about rule breakers from staff members, guests and the feedback facilities on our website over the past few months and have now come up with a strategy for the Festive Season which we hope will make a difference,” said the KNP’s Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize.
Date: 2007-12-05
Table Mountain National Park invites you to a press conference where it will present the proposals for the Revised Management Framework for Tokai and Cecilia plantations, prepared in consultation with biodiversity, heritage and recreation stakeholders.
Date: 2007-12-05
What do you get when you send a bunch of women on a mission to find a Pel’s Fishing owl, armed with CyberTracker equipment and a mandate to raise funds for SANParks? You get Angels on an Avian Mission of course, the name given to a fund and awareness raising expedition made up of six SANParks staff and forum members who recently returned from Kruger National Park after successfully finding the Pel’s Fishing Owl (of course), as well as achieving a number of other serious and not so serious objectives.
Date: 2007-12-04
Five new cottages in Addo Elephant National Park’s Main Camp will become available to visitors from 15 December 2007. Finishing touches on the new units are currently being completed but the units are already available for booking on the SANParks reservations system.
Date: 2007-12-04
October saw enthusiastic interaction with the public by an active group of KZN Honorary Rangers. Under the banner of the Public Education and Awareness Project (PEAP), and ably assisted by PEAP Chairperson Alison Esterhuysen, exhibitions were held at the Liberty Mall shopping centre in Pietermaritzburg as well as Morningside Primary School and Durban Preparatory High School (DPHS) in Durban.
Date: 2007-12-04
What follows is a comprehensive update on the N4 route from Pretoria to Maputo, including information on road side assistance, road works, and road accident statistics. If you are using this route in December/January, please take note of this information for your own safety on our roads.
Date: 2007-12-04
South African National Parks (SANParks) would like to call the public’s attention to a fraudulent fundraising scam currently circulating in shopping centres and other public places in the Johannesburg area.
Date: 2007-12-04
KNP guests and staff are hereby informed that the swimming pool at Lower Sabie Camp is temporarily closed. The closure is due to the maintenance work which is currently taking place at the pool and will last for a period of two weeks.
Date: 2007-12-03
Four more collared animals were added to a study currently underway to monitor the declining sable numbers around Punda Maria. Sable numbers have been declining in the Kruger National Park since the late 1980’s and this is a serious concern for park management. A research project, lead by Professor Norman Owen-Smith from Wits University, is investigating sable, where they move to and what they like to eat. The project is being done in both the Punda Maria and Pretoriuskop areas.
Date: 2007-11-30
So you are driving along in your car in the Kruger National Park and you ponder the fact that elephants eat about 180kg of vegetation per day. Where on earth do all the KNP’s elephants find 180kg of vegetation to eat each every day? Kruger National Park scientists have also been pondering this interesting question too. Perhaps more specificially, what they have been asking relates to the distribution of elephants and other herbivores in conservation areas in relation to the nutrient status of the vegetation and now they hope that TEMBO can give them the answers.
Date: 2007-11-30
Kruger National Park (KNP) Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize expressed his sincere condolences to the family and friends of the five Austrian and German tourists who were tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in the park late yesterday afternoon (November 29, 2007).
Date: 2007-11-30
Swellendam, 29 November 2007 – SANParks (South African National Parks) continues to invest and upgrade its tourism infrastructure and today announced that Bontebok National Park, located at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains and bordered by the winding Breede River, officially opened the Lang Elsie’s Kraal Restcamp. The restcamp, named after a female Khoi Khoi Chieftain who lived in the area between 1734 and 1800, has 10 self-catering chalets.
Date: 2007-11-30
Please be advised that Tsitsikamma's boat, the Spirit of Tsitsikamma, has been damaged due to bad weather conditions. Boating acivities at Storm's River have been suspended until a new boat can be sourced. Tsitsikamma apologises for any inconvenience caused. The park hopes to hire a boat for the peak December season.
Date: 2007-11-29
Today, a 13-metre inflatable semi-ridged vessel was handed over to South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Investigation Services to be used in marine related anti-poaching operations. The handover of the vessel is the result of a joint anti-poaching operation carried out during November 2005, on Bird Island in Algoa Bay by SANParks and Marine & Coastal Management, a division of the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism.
Date: 2007-11-29
With the introduction of large predators in 2003, Addo Elephant National Park not only became a haven for the Big Seven but a more dangerous place for the resident herbivores. Kudu, red hartebeest, ostrich, warthog and the largest herd of disease-free Cape buffalo in South Africa have had to become more vigilant to lions and spotted hyena on the prowl. Four years down the line, lions and hyenas have increased their numbers and consequently it has become important to determine exactly what effect these predators are having on prey species.
Date: 2007-11-28
The mop up teams in Tsitsikamma National Park are working hard to repair damage caused by the recent flood. At present, Nature's Valley Rest Camp will remain closed until the 22 December 2007.
Date: 2007-11-28
The mop up teams in Wilderness National Park are working hard to repair damage caused by the recent flood. At present, the situation for Wilderness is as follows:
Date: 2007-11-28
In a gesture of goodwill, the Kruger National Park (KNP) Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize presented representatives from 17 day care centres and other health organisations from around the park with a consignment of 76 wheel chairs today (Wednesday November 28, 2007).
Date: 2007-11-27
For the ninth year in a row, the Kruger National Park (KNP) awarded its staff during the 2007 Achievement Awards Ceremony which was held tonight (Friday, November 23, 2007) at the Skukuza Airport.
Date: 2007-11-27
It is with great excitement that today, on the website’s birthday, SANParks launches its real-time booking system. Earlier this month at World Travel Market (WTM), in London, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, described the launch the SANParks real-time booking system as a move “that will catapult South Africa’s premier conservation agency into a world class tourism agency which has embraced the potential presented by the online environment”.
Date: 2007-11-27
The SANParks Forum Awards are run annually as a way of celebrating the forum and the members who contribute to making the SANParks Forum the dynamic, interesting and entertaining place that it is. This year, 1281 votes were cast in the annual forum awards. The winners in each of the 16 categories are as follows
Date: 2007-11-23
The Kruger National Park (KNP) will award its achievers in a glittering function to be held in Skukuza tonight (Friday November 23, 2007) called the 2007 KNP Achievement Awards.
Date: 2007-11-23
South African National Parks would like to announce that as of this morning the Wilderness National Park and Nature’s Valley rest-camp in the Tsitsikamma National Park are completely flooded. Tourists who were in these areas have been evacuated. Operations in the park & the camp will be suspended for a minimum period of four weeks (till 21 December 2007), until full clean operations have been completed. Bookings during this period will either be cancelled or diverted to other national parks.
Date: 2007-11-22
Vehicles weighing more than four tons will not be allowed access through Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate of the Kruger National Park (KNP) until at least October 2008.
Date: 2007-11-22
Wilderness National Park is flooding and has been instructed by Disaster Management to evacuate.
Date: 2007-11-21
Kruger National Park, Friday, 16 November 2007: The governing body of the world’s leading authority on environment and development, the World Conservation Union (IUCN), is convening away from its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, for the first time in its 59 year history.
Date: 2007-11-19
A black rhino collided with a tourist car in Addo Elephant National Park this Saturday, the 17th of November, causing extensive damage.
Date: 2007-11-19
Kruger National Park (KNP) rangers and special investigators from South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Investigation Service (CIS) arrested a poacher after a massive six day man-hunt on Sunday November 18, 2007.
Date: 2007-11-14
On Tuesday, 6 November 2007, a pack of 18 African Wild Dogs was translocated
from Marakele National Park (South Africa) to the Northern Tuli Game Reserve
(NTGR, Botswana). The pack, which was donated by South African National Parks
(SANParks), was transported to Botswana by road using Land Rover vehicles
which were provided as part of Land Rover’s ongoing commitment to Wild Dog
conservation.
Date: 2007-11-14
The annual West Coast National Park Cycle Tour, organised by the West Coast Honorary Rangers, will take place on the 15th December 2007. The park is closed to vehicles for the race, which means no traffic, no pollution-just you and your bike at one with nature. You can choose to complete a fun ride of 30kms or the full ride of 80 kms.
Date: 2007-11-14
The Kalahari to Augrabies Extreme Marathon (KAEM) of 252 kms recently took place over 7 days (including a mandatory rest day). The tone was set from the very first day when the 34 extreme athletes from 9 countries set off in temperatures that steadily climbed to 46 degrees celcius.
Date: 2007-11-13
The most users ever online on the SANParks Forum was 199 on Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:47 pm. That record won’t hold for much longer though, as Imberbe, one of our forum members has proposed that we try and break it! “Break it? Let’s smash it” he suggests. The record breaking attempt will take place on the 27th November at 16h00, South African time.
Date: 2007-11-12
The endangered black rhino is in the spotlight again. This time it’s to find out how many of these elusive and secretive creatures there are in the Kruger National Park. Black rhinos are seldom seen as they prefer to keep to themselves in thickets and bushy areas where they can browse in peace.
Date: 2007-11-09
A delegation from SANParks, lead by Dr Thomas Gyedu-Ababio, took the long road to Mapungubwe National Park earlier this year to look at the effects of water being used from the Limpopo River on the riverine vegetation.
Date: 2007-11-09
Wild dogs are known to move long distances and need large areas of open space to survive, but this often brings them in contact and conflict with people. This can cause many problems for this charismatic carnivore. Vets from SANParks Veterinary Wildlife Services, based in Skukuza, were called out in mid October to remove two snares that were seen on two wild dogs in the Stolznek section in southern Kruger National Park.
Date: 2007-11-09
People visit the SANParks forum for a number of reasons-to look for information, because they miss the parks-but to look for love..? “No no”, laughs Santie, “that’s not how it was at all!” Intentional or not, that’s exactly what happened-two of our valued forum members recently tied the knot after meeting on the SANParks forum in 2005.
Date: 2007-11-08
The information retrieved from satellite images taken from space often have to be checked and validated on the ground. This is exactly what the ambitious scientists in the Kruger National Park (KNP) are attempting to do.
Date: 2007-11-08
Water is life in KNP as it is else where. It's not just the surface water that is important though. Researchers are now taking a special interest in the water we cannot see, the groundwater.
Date: 2007-11-08
Members of the Bushveld Region Honorary Rangers recently completed a project to identify and mark (tag) trees in the Northern (Nxantseni) region of KNP.
Date: 2007-11-08
The design and use of pontoons is an interesting world wide and century’s old technique used to transport people and goods across rivers. Only a few pontoons are still in use in the African river transport business-including the newly opened Pont at Sendelingsdrif...
Date: 2007-11-07
Elephants are hefty herbivores and are well known for their destructive feeding behaviour, which has been shown in areas around Africa to change the look of the landscape. But how does this affect the smaller creatures further along the food chain?
Date: 2007-11-07
Local young conservationists got the chance to go “behind the scenes” in Skukuza, Kruger National Park, as part of their training as Junior Honorary Rangers (JHR). The group of 12-18 year old learners from Malelane, Nelspruit and White River spent a weekend learning more about how science and monitoring go a long way in helping our understanding of how the environment functions.
Date: 2007-11-07
If you are heading out to a SANParks destination this month, be sure to take advantage of the clean night air and enjoy what the heavens have in store.
Date: 2007-11-05
The Honorary Rangers of the Counter Poaching & Ranger Support Services Unit of South African National Parks, invite you to join us for an extended weekend of music near Letaba Rest Camp in Kruger National Park
Date: 2007-11-05
Please find below a scanned copy of a letter of thanks, sent to the Honorary Ranger Counter Poaching Unit, from the Chairperson of the SANParks Board, Cheryl Carolus.
Date: 2007-11-05
This survey aims to establish the efficiency of operations, products and services offered via the SANParks corporate website. Kindly give us 10 min of your time. We would love to improve our online service to you!
Date: 2007-11-03
“Monitoring how an ecosystem changes over time is a tricky business and determining how much change you can allow in a system is even more difficult” explained Dr Rina Grant, SANParks Systems Ecologist based in Skukuza. Scientists and managers in the Kruger National Park (KNP) are striving to use an adaptive management system which allows for some changes in the ecosystem but uses detailed monitoring programmes to detect these potential changes and guide management decisions.
Date: 2007-11-02
Predators, such as lions are particularly susceptible to being caught in wire snares, which are usually set for antelope such as impala or kudu. Lions will walk along game paths and become trapped in snares set along these paths.
Date: 2007-11-02
Please note that we have updated the contact details for SANParks satellite reservations offices.
Date: 2007-10-30
Our Public Sightings Gallery receives great pictures, and we've decided to introduce the "public sighting of the month" to acknowledge the excellent entries. Eric Reisinger, SANParks photographer & photo editor, selects the photo, which displays on our home page. This unusual picture of a crocodile eating a young hippo, taken by Yolande Oelsen, is the October winner...
Date: 2007-10-29
If the Air France Strike will affect your South African National Parks booking, please do contact reservations@sanparks.org and we'll do our best to assist you with alternate plans.
Date: 2007-10-29
Cape Town, 29 October 2007 – Surveillance operations of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) led to the arrest of two perlemoen (abalone) poachers at Buffels Bay in the afternoon on Thursday, 25 October 2007.
Date: 2007-10-27
Alien invasive species are a causing a headache for conservation managers around the world. Alien species are the cause of numerous problems for biodiversity, from clogging up water ways to becoming a fire hazard and are even a problem closer to home in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2007-10-26
Disney is not just about Mickey Mouse. There is considerably more to this multi-national corporation than meets the eye, especially when it comes to support for conservation and research issues around the world...
Date: 2007-10-26
Recently, the Junior Honorary Rangers (JHRs) were asked to assist with the annual ostrich (Struthio camelus) relocation program in West Coast National Park. This is a regular feature in the Park as the ostriches multiply prolifically and predation is minimal in the protected Reserve, resulting in an annual surplus of young birds.
Date: 2007-10-26
Elephants and their eating habits were up for discussion again, this time in the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site . Elephants are well-known for the damage they cause to trees by breaking off branches, stripping bark or even pushing them over. How to protect trees from this type of treatment was one of the main topics at a recent workshop convened by SANParks Scientific Services.
Date: 2007-10-26
Table Mountain National Park is one of the world’s premier urban parks and a
custodian of the City of Cape Town’s most precious natural assets. The Park
was established in 1998, thanks to the huge efforts of the citizens and leaders
of Cape Town and South Africa
Date: 2007-10-25
Due to a problem with Infinity’s system, West Coast National Park cannot at present process wild card sales or renewals. Infinity is working on the problem. You can still use your valid wild card to visit the park.
Date: 2007-10-25
Dr Ed February from the Department of Botany at the University of Cape Town is leading a team of researchers tackling the mystery of how trees and grass manage to live together in the face of competition for limited water and nutrient resources.
Date: 2007-10-24
The August sightings data, generated by Kruger Rangers while on patrol, has been updated. The Rangers make use of Cyber Trackers to record information about the animals they see. The maps do not account for all sightings of these animals both by staff and visiting public as this is not captured and would be too numerous to plot. It does however give an indication of distribution based on the constant field presence of rangers...
Date: 2007-10-24
More than 100 golfers from both government and the private sector will meet on the fairways of Skukuza’s picturesque Golf Course tomorrow (Thursday October 25, 2007) as competitors of the third annual Kruger National Park (KNP)/Old Mutual Corporate Golf Day.
Date: 2007-10-24
Please take note that the SANParks Reservations Front Office in Groenkloof Pretoria will be undergoing renovations and upgrading as from the 29th October 2007 until 21st December 2007.
Date: 2007-10-24
SANParks has added an RSS feed to www.sanparks.org to make it easier for you to stay up to date with what's happening in SANParks news.
Date: 2007-10-22
Kruger National Park Scientific Services will be undertaking extensive biodiversity surveys in southern Kruger National Park (KNP) from Monday 10 December to Wednesday 31 January 2008.
Date: 2007-10-22
The Northern Cape has two brand-new border posts, both in National Parks, linking South Africa and Namibia. This will be of great benefit to these more isolated areas of the province and will make the attractions of the wide-open spaces that the eco-tourist seeks, more accessible.
Date: 2007-10-22
The Northern Cape has two brand-new border posts, both in National Parks, linking South Africa and Namibia. This will be of great benefit to these more isolated areas of the province and will make the attractions of the wide-open spaces that the eco-tourist seeks, more accessible.
Date: 2007-10-22
SANParks Regional Office will be moving as from the 22nd October 2007 and be fully operational as from the 25th October 2007. It's new location is the Royal Hotel Building in Knysna.
Date: 2007-10-22
Cape Town, 18 October 2007 - Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) today reports completion of the significant second phase of the rehabilitation of the 250m-long Orangekloof road, illegally constructed by the Water Works department of the City of Cape Town in May 2007.
Date: 2007-10-15
The Kruger National Park (KNP) Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize today (Friday, October 12, 2007) announced and committed KNP to supporting a community based eco-tourism business situated south of the park near Kaapmuiden.
Date: 2007-10-12
The Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Dr Bandile Mkhize officially opened a new hostel for pupils attending the Skukuza Primary School today (Wednesday October 3, 2007).
Date: 2007-10-12
The 2005/06 Annual Report introduced a refocused approach that places a high premium on biodiversity conservation as the bedrock against which SANParks garners support from all visitors and various constituencies, particularly the broader South African public. This refocus is steadily becoming entrenched in the organisation, as reflected in the 2006/07 Annual Report (pdf).
Date: 2007-10-11
Please note that SANParks Central Reservations will continue to be affected by scheduled Eskom load shedding...
Date: 2007-10-11
The Endangered Wildlife Trust's Carnivore Conservation Group has once again joined forces with South African National Parks to conduct research to improve the plight of the endangered African Wild Dog...
Date: 2007-10-11
Presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Festus Mogae of Botswana and Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia will officially open the Mata Mata Tourist Access Facility (Port of entry) between South Africa and Namibia on 12 October 2007...
Date: 2007-10-09
The Addo Elephant National Park must be one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the Eastern Cape. There are five biomes to be found, from the estuary to the top of the Zuurberg Mountain and on to the freshwater lake in the Karoo. As a result the birding is fantastic with over 400 species, which makes this a birding paradise...
Date: 2007-10-09
SANParks has recently launched Forest Timber Camping Decks in the heart of Knysna Forest. Set in a landscape of beautiful beaches and rocky headlands, shimmering lakes, green pastures and jagged mountains, the Knysna Forest Camping Decks affords the visitor an opportunity to feel at one with nature.
Date: 2007-10-09
South Africa’s National Parks form key locations in Birdlife SA’s Birding Route Network. Birding Routes are a way of linking birding locations for birding travellers to enable them to either maximise a continuous journey by visiting several proximate locations on a single trip, or to explore regions more thoroughly by sampling different locations on separate trips.
Date: 2007-10-08
The intangible values of national parks are often overlooked because Protected Area Agencies focus mainly on evaluating those aspects of operations that can be easily quantified
Date: 2007-10-04
The Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Dr Bandile Mkhize officially opened a new hostel for pupils attending the Skukuza Primary School today (Wednesday October 3, 2007).
Date: 2007-10-04
If you are heading out to a SANParks destination this month, be sure to take advantage of the clean night air and enjoy what the heavens have in store...
Date: 2007-10-04
A recent debate in the birding forums on the SANParks website got me thinking; the debate revolved around the seemingly intense competitiveness among twitchers and how it intimidated the beginner birders. There is no denying that a healthy competitive streak runs through many a twitcher, this most likely adds to the attraction of birding for this enthusiastic group...
Date: 2007-10-04
iKapa Honorary Rangers had a stand at the recently held Cape Outdoor Expo at the wine estate Bien Donne in Franschoek...
Date: 2007-09-27
“The Alaskan wilderness is nothing like our wilderness here in Kruger” says Judith Kruger from Scientific Services, Skukuza, Kruger National Park. “There are thousands of green alpine trees and large flowing rivers with huge amounts of floating ice, even in Summer”. This is a far cry of the heat and yellow-brown hues of Kruger at the end of Winter. Judith, who is responsible for science support and data management in Kruger, recently took the long trip to Alaska to join a group of specialist software engineers and programme developers from NCEAS (National Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis).
Date: 2007-09-26
Role players resolve to integrate operations to fight crime on Table Mountain Cape Town, 20 September 2007 – The integration of operations between the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), SAPS, City of Cape Town’s Metro Police and safety volunteers is of utmost importance in the fight against crime on Table Mountain...
Date: 2007-09-20
Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock in the Eastern Cape, celebrates its 70th anniversary today as part of South African National Parks Week...
Date: 2007-09-19
High-pitched whistles are set to blow the alarm on crime in Table Mountain National Park. Over 1 000 whistles have been donated to park authorities by G4S South Africa’s largest integrated security provider.
Date: 2007-09-19
At around 02:00 on Tuesday September 18, 2007, armed robbers gained access into the Skukuza Rest Camp Shop in the Kruger National Park (KNP) by removing sections of the thatch roof.
Date: 2007-09-19
The road connecting the two sections of Marakele National Park was officially opened yesterday (18 September 2007), as part of ongoing SANParks Week celebrations.
Date: 2007-09-17
As a celebration of SANParks and all of our wild and beautiful places, SANParks has started a new tradition: our annual International Writing Competition, launched in 2006. It's a chance to explore South Africa’s National Parks...with words.
Date: 2007-09-17
From 17 to 21 September 2007, South Africans had the opportunity to experience the pride and joy of South Africa’s natural assets in an initiative by South African National Parks (SANParks) with substantial support through donated funds from First National Bank (FNB) offering free access to all South African citizens for day visits.
Date: 2007-09-14
In line with SANParks’ Strategic Plan for Commercialisation, SANParks intends to form a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in which it gives a selected private party the rights to the commercial use of the Geelbek Restaurant and Retail Facilities in the West Coast National Park
Date: 2007-09-11
A man arrested for poaching in the Camdeboo National Park in Graaff-Reinet has been sentenced to 120 days in jail, suspended for four years.
Date: 2007-09-11
The Kruger National Park (KNP) Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize today (Tuesday September 11, 2007) accepted R428 000-worth of donated equipment on behalf of the park’s 300-strong Ranger Corps from the SANParks Honorary Rangers.
Date: 2007-09-11
The Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has contracted The Nature Conservation Corporation to review and update the Environmental Management Program (EMP): Walkers Accompanied by Dogs, and the associated Codes of Conduct, prepared by the then Cape Peninsula National Park and the Friends of the Dog Walkers (FDW) in May, 2002.
Date: 2007-09-07
Thanks to everyone who participated in the SANParks Branding Survey. The winner, drawn from 627 respondents, is Mr. Johan Laubscher! He has won a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.
Date: 2007-09-06
An excited Ms Arks Smith from the United States strapped herself into a SANParks helicopter and took off for the adventure of a lifetime, to actually take part in a research project in the Kruger National Park (KNP) at around 07:30 this morning (Wednesday September 5, 2007).
Date: 2007-09-06
Tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) covers about 60 hectares of the upper reaches of the Nqweba Dam in the Game Viewing Area of the Camdeboo National Park.
Date: 2007-09-04
Please note that SANParks Groenkloof phone lines, including those for Central Reservations, were out of order on 3 September 2007. They are fully operational once more and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Date: 2007-09-03
Cape Town, 3 September 2007 – Cape Town residents continue to show their pride in Table Mountain National Park in various ways. Various Friends groups, volunteer groups, hiking clubs, mountain clubs and school groups have to date adopted 15 footpaths on Table Mountain.
Date: 2007-08-30
Cape Town, 30 August 2007- Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Park Manager Brett Myrdal has welcomed the arrest by the SAPS of an alleged mountain mugger yesterday.
Date: 2007-08-29
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is right in the heart of Australia. Uluru (previously known as Ayers Rock) is a massive red rock rising out of the Australian outback desert and is a sacred place for the Aboriginal people. The National Park is 1325 km2 and is a major tourist attraction. The distinctive red rock rises 348m above the desert plain and is 860m above sea level. It is also a special world heritage area that is valued for its landscape, flora, fauna and for its rich living culture.
Date: 2007-08-29
Skilpad had 5mm of rain on 27/08/2007. The flowers are staying the same, the only difference that new species are emerging, particularly Pelargoniums, Romulias (sterretjies) and Gazanias (botterblomme).
Date: 2007-08-29
For the second year running, South African National Parks (SANParks) will once again open gates to most national parks across the country free of charge to all South African residents from 17 to 21 September 2007.
Date: 2007-08-29
South African National Parks (SANParks) will once again offer free access to most national parks as part of the heritage month celebrations.
Date: 2007-08-27
Fire is not a popular phenomenon in the Lowveld at the moment, but in the Kruger National Park it is used under controlled conditions as part of a long-term ecosystem experiment. The Fire Team from Scientific Services in Skukuza has been using fire as part of an ongoing experiment in the Nkhuhlu exclosure in the south of the KNP.
Date: 2007-08-24
Seeing the Kruger National Park (KNP) from the air really puts the size of the park into perspective. It is amazing to see how big 2 million hectares really is. Winter is the time of the year when the KNP census team takes to the air to count the animals living in this 2 million hectares.
Date: 2007-08-24
It seems sadness has crept into the thoughts of everyone around. It is as if a good friend has lost something very dear. Duke, the elephant with the largest set of ivory on any elephant presently living in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has broken his left tusk.
Date: 2007-08-23
The theme of this years GSSA congress, which also included the Thicket Forum, was “21st Century Challenges: range, forage and thicket”. The congress saw a wide range of ecologists, managers and interested people getting together to discuss grassland, savanna, thicket and ecological issues. Skukuza Scientific Services staff, Dr Rina Grant, Dr Harry Biggs, Dr Holger Eckhardt and junior scientist Leonard Masubelele attended the congress, which was held at Rhodes University.
Date: 2007-08-23
Sore backs, dusty clothes, dirty hands and sweaty hats.
These are just some of the results of an interesting project that has taken place in the Kruger National Park (KNP) over a two week period ending on Friday, August 17, 2007.
Date: 2007-08-22
There is still time to enter the Karoo National Park Golf Day in the 1st of September, organized by the Karoo Honorary Rangers.
Date: 2007-08-22
TMNP welcomes local government support in fight against crime Cape Town, 22 August 2007- Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Park Manager Brett Myrdal has welcomed the support promised by Province and City authorities to increase visitor safety in Table Mountain National Park.
Date: 2007-08-21
SANParks is embarking on a number of proposed activities to upgrade the existing facilities in Kruger National Park camps to continue to offer visitors a high quality experience. To assist in our planning for this, please read this Background Information Document (BID) regarding the upgrade of facilities in the Mopani and Olifants Camps.
Date: 2007-08-21
An international network of carbon cycle researchers meets 23-25 August in Kruger National Park, South Africa to explore the need for increased research capacity to both understand and manage the carbon cycle in Africa.
Date: 2007-08-20
Cape Town, Thursday, 16 August 2007 – Table Mountain National Park today held a graduation ceremony for 20 newly-qualified Environmental Marine Inspectors (EMIs). The main function of the EMIs, also known as the Green Scorpions, is monitoring compliance with and enforcing the national environmental legislation.
Date: 2007-08-17
In line with SANParks’ Strategic Plan for Commercialisation, SANParks intends to form a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in which it gives a selected private party the rights to the commercial use of the Ratel River Farmstead in the Agulhas National Park.
SANParks invites prospective
Date: 2007-08-16
It was a clear, day with a slight South Easterly wind blowing. I had left Letaba very early for a meeting at the Phalaborwa Regional Office. While there, I received a call from Letaba Camp’s Duty Manager reporting that there was a giraffe trapped in a donga about three kilometers north of the camp on the S95.
Date: 2007-08-15
In order to provide a fuller wilderness experience for our valued visitors, and to complement our two new off-road cycle trails, a new hiking trail was opened by the West Coast National Park manager, Xola Mkefe, just in time for this year’s flower season.
Date: 2007-08-15
Complete this SANParks branding questionnaire by the 17 August 2007 and stand a chance to win a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.
Date: 2007-08-15
Complete this SANParks branding questionnaire by the 17 August 2007 and stand a chance to win a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.
Date: 2007-08-15
Complete this SANParks branding questionnaire by the 17 August 2007 and stand a chance to win a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.
Date: 2007-08-15
Complete this SANParks branding questionnaire by the 17 August 2007 and stand a chance to win a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.
Date: 2007-08-15
Complete this SANParks branding questionnaire by the 17 August 2007 and stand a chance to win a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.
Date: 2007-08-14
Complete this SANParks branding questionnaire by the 17 August 2007 and stand a chance to win a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.
Date: 2007-08-14
Complete this SANParks branding questionnaire by the 17 August 2007 and stand a chance to win a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.
Date: 2007-08-14
The 6th Annual Science Network meeting will be held in Skukuza, Kruger National Park (KNP) from 21 to 25 April 2008. This meeting will be hosted by Scientific Services, Kruger National Park, Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology of University of Cape Town, Centre for Water in the Environment of the University of Witwatersrand, and the Department of Botany of the University of Cape Town...
Date: 2007-08-13
Complete this SANParks branding questionnaire by the 17 August 2007 and stand a chance to win a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.
Date: 2007-08-10
High traffic volumes are expected on the N4 (Pretoria to Mozambique) during the forthcoming weekend, although it is not expected to peak at the same levels as during the Easter period or school holidays.
Date: 2007-08-10
The latest edition of the Stiffnecks Bird Club Newsletter has been published. The bird club is an extension of the SANParks Birding forum. The newsletters are fun and informative and we hope that you'll enjoy them...
Date: 2007-08-10
The whole Namaqua area had good follow up rains over the past week. The park itself has good flowers, but it seems as if the Skilpad section will not be as good as last year. The daisies started with a bang, but has since not increased much in numbers.
Date: 2007-08-07
Researchers in the Addo Elephant National Park are investigating the presence and levels of various hormones in elephant dung to create a more detailed picture of how the Addo elephant population functions.
Date: 2007-08-07
The SANParks forum started with a clear vision; “We wanted to provide a virtual space for SANParks, where the parks could be explored and enjoyed by people all over the world, regardless of their geographic locations” explains e-business manager for SANParks, Nedret Saidova.
Date: 2007-08-02
Not only will your Wild Card give you access to SANParks, CapeNature, Msinsi Resorts & Reserves and Big Game Parks of Swaziland but as of 1 August 2007 your Wild Card will give you access to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife as well.
Date: 2007-08-02
Four two-sleeper units are on offer (each with an additional sleeper couch) at Namaqua National Park near Springbok in the Northern Cape.
Date: 2007-08-02
A middle aged man was arrested for starting a fire in the Kruger National Park (KNP) at midday today.
Date: 2007-08-01
Please note that due to the opening of bookings for July 2008, SANParks is experiencing very high caller volumes. The situation is expected to ease in the next few days. We encourage people to make use of satellite booking offices and alternate booking methods where possible.
Date: 2007-08-01
The sun rises and a herd of placid impala drink to the new day and the start of a new month. A herd of zebra graze and drink alongside while some guinea fowl fool around, warming their feathers in the sun...
Date: 2007-08-01
Cape Town, 1 August 2007 - In another effort to ensure visitor safety on Table Mountain, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) acquired five kennels for the five dogs used in patrols in the northern section of the Park, in July 2007.
Date: 2007-08-01
A key dam in the Southern area of the Kruger National Park (KNP), the Nhlanganzwane Dam will be breeched this week in order to rid it of an algal poison that has claimed the lives of a number of animals over the past two years.
Date: 2007-08-01
Namaqua National Park received very good rains from 26-29 July (40mm), and the effect was immediately apparent. The daisies in Skilpad is looking very good. On the way to the park there are excellent carpets of orange daisies. Towards Soebatsfontein (acessible by 4x4 only) the vygies in particular are painting the hills purple and yellow...
Date: 2007-08-01
During 2006 and 2007 Fujitsu Siemens Computers donated 34 computers to 10 different national parks in a deal brokered by one of their Honorary Rangers (HR), JP Meijer, from the HR Alien Invader Task Group. Over the same period Fujitsu Siemens Computers sponsored 20 cyber trackers for use by rangers in Kruger National Park.
Date: 2007-08-01
Cape Town, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 – Five contract staff members of MTO Forestry, who were working at the Tokai plantation, clubbed a porcupine to death on Wednesday, 11 July 2007.
Date: 2007-07-31
A ground-based survey of Pel’s Fishing Owl along the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park was conducted from the 24th-27th of June 2007 by two teams of observers from SAN-Parks, Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, staff and volunteers from EWT-BoPWG.
Date: 2007-07-30
Please find the regions newsletter here...
Date: 2007-07-30
Please find herewith an update on sightings in the KNP for 2007, from some of our dedicated birders. The sightings are listed chronologically.
Date: 2007-07-30
Please find herewith an update of sightings in various SANParks for 2007, from some of our dedicated birders. The sightings are listed chronologically.
Date: 2007-07-27
The past three weeks has been dry, windy and warm, with only 4mm measured on 15/07/2007. The daisies in Skilpad is starting to bloom in orange carpets. The variety of species is also increasing, particularly in the natural veldt. The season seem to be earlier than the previous year, but it is however clear that follow up rains are needed.
Date: 2007-07-27
If you are heading out to a SANParks destination on the last weekend of this month, be sure to take advantage of the clean night air and enjoy what the heavens have in store...
Date: 2007-07-27
Biodiversity conservation is the clear mandate for SANParks and the Savanna Unit of Scientific Services in Skukuza is seriously getting to grips with this issue in the Kruger National Park. This means doing surveys on all the smaller creatures in the park that are often not seen...
Date: 2007-07-26
With the abundance of rain starting early in the rainy season, all expectations are that there will be a bumper flower season this year. Reports are already starting to come in from up north of the first bright orange blankets, peppered with yellows and whites, and a few solitary reds in between.
Date: 2007-07-26
Bird ringing has been used in southern Africa for almost 60 years as a cost-effective method to study many aspects of the biology of a wide range of species, including raptors. The first birds to be ringed in South Africa were a group of 31 Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) nestlings at the Kranzberg colony in Limpopo in 1948.
Date: 2007-07-26
Due to severe flooding earlier this week, we have had to keep Postberg closed until Wednesday 01 August while we regrade the washed away roads.
Date: 2007-07-26
Situated in the KNP Protection Services building in Skukuza, the Emergency Call Centre, which opened in December 2004, is manned every day throughout the year and will be able to help guests and KNP staff with any emergency they might face.
Date: 2007-07-25
iKapa Honorary Rangers Ruedi Siegenthaler, Vito Viglietti, George and Sue Smith, painted the graffiti off the historic lighthouse at Cape Point. The light house is in a very high visitor zone and is often the target of graffiti vandals. This type of vandalism occurs not only on the light house but also on the walls and rocks at Cape Point.
Date: 2007-07-17
MOOIPLAAS – Situated roughly in the middle of the Kruger National Park’s huge Mopaneveld, this 103 155 hectare ranger section presents huge challenges to whoever has the task of patrolling it.
Date: 2007-07-13
Ganakouriep Wilderness Camp in Richtersveld National Park has been closed for renovations as all the accommodation units have been damaged by strong winds...
Date: 2007-07-12
Opening in July 2007 !Xaus Lodge, owned by the Khomani San and Mier communities, is the first fully catered luxury lodge to be located in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This 3,9 million hectare transfrontier park transcends the border between the Northern Cape Province of South Africa and Botswana and is one of the last pristine conservation areas on earth. The vision behind its creation which was facilitated by the Peace Parks Foundation has ensured, in perpetuity, a natural animal migration route to the north-east and an environment in which man and animal can peacefully co-exist.
Date: 2007-07-11
Is there a hyaena hotel in Skukuza? This may seem like a strange question but researchers from the Mammal Research Institute (MRI) at the University of Pretoria is looking into how close contact with humans is affecting the behaviour of spotted hyaenas.
Date: 2007-07-11
During early August and September, as if by magic, a tapestry of brilliant colours unfold along the winding roads of the Namaqua National Park. Butterflies, birds and long-tongued flies dart around among the flowers, seemingly overwhelmed by the abundance and diversity...
Date: 2007-07-11
The Reach-For-A-Dream Foundation, an organisation that has brought hope and healing to countless young South Africans, believes strongly in the power of dreams. It encourages children to use their dreams to fight life-threatening illnesses.
Date: 2007-07-11
The Reach-For-A-Dream Foundation, an organisation that has brought hope and healing to countless young South Africans, believes strongly in the power of dreams. It encourages children to use their dreams to fight life-threatening illnesses.
Date: 2007-07-11
In a march held by HOSPERSA members to the Kruger National Park today 11 July 2007, a union representative, Mr Dev Naidoo, announced that the striking members will be going back to work on Friday, 13 July 2007.
Date: 2007-07-10
Cape Town, 8 July 2007 - A joint operation between Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Marine Coastal Management and SAPS Hout Bay led to a seizure of a vessel with perlemoen (abalone) and a vehicle with crayfish (West Coast Rock Lobster) in the early hours of Friday, 6th July 2007.
Date: 2007-07-10
Guests to the Kruger National Park (KNP) that have planned to enter through Kruger Entrance Gate tomorrow (Wednesday July 11, 2007) should be aware that there could be a disruption at the gate caused by marching workers.
Date: 2007-07-10
In the year 2007, parents of young South Africans are faced with an ever-increasing demand to provide on all fronts. These modern day parents are burdened demands to which their own parents were never exposed. Driven into the humdrum of capitalist and commercial endeavours our children have not only become alienated from home and what nature is, but also from themselves.
Date: 2007-07-10
Earlier today the Labour Court granted an interdict on behalf of SANParks to HOSPERSA and members of HOSPERSA in light of acts of misconduct and intimidation of staff and visitors by striking staff at various parks, specifically in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2007-07-06
The Tsitsikamma Webcam is a new addition to our park, and a window to this ever changing part of the world...
Date: 2007-07-06
'Wild' magazine, the successor to 'Wild in Africa', has been launched. This glossy, 80 page, A4 magazine will be distributed free to Wild Cardholders...
Date: 2007-07-06
This is the third message received from Kingsley Holgate's team on the 'Africa Outside Edge expedition'. Their ojectives are clear: to circumnavigate Africa in a clockwise direction by Land Rover and inflatable boats and at the same time to improve and save lives through adventure...
Date: 2007-07-05
It's that time of year again; bookings for the 2008 West Rand Honorary Ranger 10th Anniversary Kruger Park Birding Weekend are open. As is usual, the event takes place over the last Weekend in January and the first Weekend in February 2008...
Booking Form
Date: 2007-07-05
The HOSPERSA strike started on a low point yesterday as only two of the five parks mentioned in HOSPERSA notice acceded to the call, i.e. Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Date: 2007-07-04
KNYSNA, South Africa, June 5, 2007 (ENS) - DNA analysis has revealed the existence of five previously unknown, female Knysna elephants in the Southern Cape region at the tip of South Africa. Researchers say the discovery is reason for cautious optimism that the world's most southerly elephant population may have survived the onslaught of ivory hunters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Date: 2007-07-04
The CyberTracker System is a hand held computer software application designed for use in Environmental Conservation and Wildlife Biology as a data-capture tool. Much progress has been made in the development of the system within SANParks, and much still needs to be done...
Date: 2007-07-03
HOSPERSA has handed SANParks a notice that they plan to embark on strike action, commencing on Wednesday, the 4th July 2007 at 12h00. As per HOSPERSA’s notice, the Kruger National Park; Table Mountain National Park; Mountain Zebra National Park; West Coast National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park will be affected by the planned strike action.
Date: 2007-07-03
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park celebrated Earth Day 2007 with an “Earth Hour”. An Earth Hour is one hour of an evening where everyone in a community turns off all electricity including all electrical equipment. In this one hour we can reduce our energy consumption and, thereby, our carbon emissions substantially.
Date: 2007-07-03
A very scarce reptile was recently found near the Auob riverbed in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, just north of the Munro waterhole. The snake, a python, was located on a calcrete ridge in view of the road where it was clearly visible in the morning sun.
Date: 2007-07-03
A SANParks delegation is attending the fourth World Environmental Education Congress which began on the 3 July 2007. This is the first time that Africa has hosted the congress, which brings together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers from the fields of education and environment...
Date: 2007-07-02
The Morula Kids Art Competition is one of various Environmental Education programmes offered by South African National Parks (SANParks), to increase the level of environmental awareness amongst the South African public broadly, and more specifically, learners...
Date: 2007-06-29
Christchurch, New Zealand, 29 June – The World Heritage Committee inscribed 22 new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List during its ongoing session in Christchurch. The new inscriptions include 16 cultural, five natural and one mixed, cultural and natural property, including the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape.
Date: 2007-06-28
The Richtersveld, bordering on to the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park has been awarded world heritage status. It is the eighth such site in the country...
Date: 2007-06-28
Montreal, 27 June 2007: International scientific experts and policy makers will gather at UNESCO headquarters in Paris from 2 to 6 July 2007 for the twelfth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity...
Date: 2007-06-27
Clockwise around the outside edge of Africa through 33 countries – saving lives through malaria prevention, a Teaching on the Edge literacy campaign and spectacles for the poor sighted in a Right to Sight programme. Yes, it’s another Kingsley Holgate led humanitarian expedition using adventure to improve and save lives in Africa...
Date: 2007-06-27
The Africa Outside Edge expedition’s objectives are clear, its to circumnavigate Africa in a clockwise direction by Land Rover and inflatable boats and at the same time to improve and save lives through adventure...
Date: 2007-06-27
Golden Gate Highlands National Park has been blanketed in a soft layer of snow, as a series of cold fronts sweep across South Africa. This highlands park welcomes the annual winter snow fall, as the characteristic warm and mellow shades of gold for which the park is famous, transform into an ermine covered winterscape of dancing white light...
Date: 2007-06-26
The South African Red Cross Services volunteers run a weekly Kids Club programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), in the Western Cape. The children, of varying ages, are trained and taught valuable life skills in dealing with the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Date: 2007-06-26
Please note that due to a fire at Tsitsikamma National Park, the trail to the suspension bridge is closed for an indefinite period. There will also be no boat rides until further notice and the Dolphin Trail is also closed. More information will be posted as it is available.
Date: 2007-06-26
Update on the fires affecting Knysna National Lake Area and Tsitsikamma National Park...
Date: 2007-06-26
Update on the fires affecting Knysna National Lake Area and Tsitsikamma National Park...
Date: 2007-06-26
If you are heading out to a SANParks destination on the last weekend of this month, be sure to take advantage of the clean night air and enjoy the Blue Moon on Saturday 30 June.
Date: 2007-06-22
The 31st of May saw Kruger National Park celebrate its 109th birthday in a ceremony at Pretoriuskop. This was a fitting opportunity to hand over a valuable historical memento to the park. The 'gift' was donated to the park by Tsitsikamma Honorary Rangers Andre and Mignonne van Heerden.
Date: 2007-06-20
Cape Town, 18 June 2007 - In preparation for the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry’s announcement on Tokai and Cecilia, a day long site inspection was undertaken on Wednesday, 13 June 2007 by representatives of Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), SANParks, Urban Forest Protection Group and the City of Cape Town to assess the situation.
Date: 2007-06-20
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) was established eight years ago when
land and personnel were transferred from the City of Cape Town to
SANParks. In 2004 TMNP commissioned the Graduate School of Business at
the University of Cape Town to assess the economic benefits arising from the
Park. This report is a sequel to the 2004 study, the objective of which is to
report on the environmental, economic and social contribution that has been
made by the Park.
Date: 2007-06-19
Today the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk officially proclaimed the new Mokala National Park near Plooysberg south west of Kimberley...
Date: 2007-06-12
Cape Town, 12 June 2007 - Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) today confirmed that they have, to date, upgraded 250km of the existing footpath network (paths and tracks) within the national park...
Date: 2007-06-12
The Southern Cape Region of the SANParks Honorary Rangers is hosting a Golf Day at Simola Golf Course in Knysna during the Oyster Festival...
Date: 2007-06-11
With the increased number of schoolchildren passing through the West Coast National Park on eco-education courses, it has become apparent that a comprehensive First Aid kit was needed in the event of a field emergency. Our Park Education Officer, Edward Adonis approached the HR Committee and asked if we could help them. As a temporary measure, we rushed together a small field kit to help them while we sourced a better option.
Date: 2007-06-07
The Thorp Motor Group supplied Table Mountain National Park with an Opel Corsa Utility for Penguin Rescue in a deal brokered by iKapa Honorary Rangers. The vehicle, based at Boulders Penguin Colony in Simons Town, will be used to transport penguins injured or washed up on the beaches of Table Mountain National Park.
Date: 2007-06-07
Update on Activities: A group of boys from Promosa township spent a day with the Honorary Rangers from Bankenveld region in the Vredefort Dome andWhitey van Pletsen, Honorary Ranger from Bankenveld, entertained the Brownies from Potchefstroom on the art of ringing birds...
Date: 2007-06-05
SAPPI - Kruger Park - Tree & Alien Encounter Weekend
This is an invitation to a unique, rustic, bush experience.
The Alien Invader Task Group is excited to announce the coming of this special event, thanks to a generous sponsorship received from SAPPI to make it possible...
Date: 2007-06-05
The black rhino population of the Mountain Zebra National Park has grown with the recent birth of two new calves. The Park, situated near Cradock in the Eastern Cape, now has a population of six of the critically endangered black rhino...
Date: 2007-06-01
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Dr Bandile Mkhize officially welcomed everyone to the 109th Birthday Celebration, which took place at Pretoriuskop Rest Camp today (Thursday May 31, 2007).
Date: 2007-05-31
Today, on Thursday May 31, 2007, the Kruger National Park is celebrating its birthday at the oldest formal tourism camp in the park – Pretoriuskop Rest Camp. Research has shown that President Paul Kruger’s Volksraad (parliament) established the Sabie Game Reserve during 1898...
Date: 2007-05-30
SANParks would like to welcome the Honorary Rangers leadership for 2007, chosen at the HR Indaba on 12 May at Marakele National Park.
Date: 2007-05-30
Want to know where the sighting “HotSpots” are in Kruger? Let Kruger’s rangers show you were to find the Big Five - Elephant, White Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard in a series of "Big Five HotSpots" maps derived from Kruger’s CyberTracker data. The latest maps for April have also been added...
Date: 2007-05-29
Two female cheetah were released in Mountain Zebra National Park today, becoming the first large predators to freely roam the Park area in over 100 years.
Date: 2007-05-28
The winners of the Kruger National Park Birthday Competition are as follows:
Date: 2007-05-23
Wilderness National Park, like the rest of South Africa, is experiencing a particularly cold onset to winter. Following torrents of rain over the weekend, (with an ever ready ranger staff to act as soon as the Touw River mouth needed to be opened) residents of George, Oudtshoorn and Wilderness woke up to the fairy land of snow peaked Outiniquas.
Date: 2007-05-23
During March, the management team of the Garden Route National Parks, took a ‘shot left’ into the blue yonder on an exciting journey of discovery. Little was known about the destination point, but such was the trust of the leader in her team, that everyone sat back and opened themselves up to new places and ideas.
Date: 2007-05-22
The Nature’s Valley Trust; The Wilderness Foundation and Siyabona Africa Travel all emerged winners during a gala event to mark the 3rd annual SANParks Kudu Awards in Pretoria last night.
Date: 2007-05-22
In a statement published today, on International Day for Biological Diversity, the Skukuza Freshwater Group, made up of experts from leading conservation organisations, advocated urgent action and approaches to water management in order to meet the needs of the world’s poorest people, combat the alarming decline of freshwater species, and correct mistakes of the past.
Date: 2007-05-21
You are invited to join us for a ‘live’ broadcast of the Kudu and CE Awards 2007 via a Webcam hosted on www.sanparks.org. Visit our forum between 19hr00 and 00hr00 (midnight) or link to the Webcam between 19hr00 and 12hr00. There will also be an award blog, where winners will be announced and commentary on the awards will be provided. You can also tune into a live broadcast of the awards on Kaya FM between 19hr00 and 21hr00.
Date: 2007-05-14
The last of three black rhino translocated from Namibia to the Karoo National Park near Beaufort West will be released from the bomas tonight.
Date: 2007-05-14
South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced the launch of the upgraded tourist facilities at a press briefing held at the Indaba Tourism Expo at the Coast of Dreams Hall, between the ICC and the DEC in Durban.
Date: 2007-05-14
South African National Parks today announced that by the end of July 2007, four two-sleeper units will be on offer (each with an additional sleeper couch) at Namaqua National Park near Springbok in the Northern Cape.
Date: 2007-05-14
South African National Parks is pleased to announce the launch of a Wild Card for tour operators, developed in discussion with leading operator Thompson’s Tours.
Date: 2007-05-09
Are you born on the 31st of May? You share your birthday with the
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK!
On 31 May 2007, South African National Park’s flagship, the Kruger National Park, will turn 109 years old and you can be part of the celebrations. Answer 3 easy questions and you could be invited to the Birthday Celebrations at the oldest rest camp, Pretoriuskop, on the 31st of May 2007.
Date: 2007-05-09
More than 200 scientists, researchers, conservationists and managers gathered in Skukuza from 16th – 20th April for the fifth annual Kruger National Park (KNP) science network meeting. A total of 110 talks were presented by local and international scientists. Topics included (to name a few): Heterogeneity Created by Herbivores, Terrestrial Patterns and Drivers, Water in the Landscape, Browse and Browsers, Humans in Complex Systems, Adaptive Management and Implementation
Date: 2007-05-09
To celebrate the Kruger National Park (KNP) 109th Birthday, all South Africans that share the same date of birth will be given the chance to enter an exciting competition.
Date: 2007-05-04
Shouts of “Action!”, “Cut!” and “Quiet on Set Please!” briefly transformed parts of Wilderness National Park into a film set when crew and cast members of the popular South African SABC soap opera, Isidingo, arrived in the park for a shoot.
Date: 2007-05-02
South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today that it will be increasing conservation fees with effect from 1 November 2007 after maintaining the same rates for more than 4 years since the last increase in June 2003.
Date: 2007-04-30
Despite heavy bouts of rain and cold conditions, 16 runners successfully completed the third annual 100-mile (160-kilometre) Addo Elephant Trail Run through the Addo Elephant National Park today.
Date: 2007-04-30
Please note that the Addo Elephant National Park website is undergoing routine maintenance. This should be complete by the the 2 May 2007. We do apologise for anything that appears incomplete on the website between 30 April and 2 May 2007.
Date: 2007-04-26
Birding is a very popular extension of many visitors purpose in visiting National Parks.The Honorary Rangers have turned the bird spotting activity into annual focused events where members of the public gather in parks and in teams try and record as many different species in the park in a 24hour period or over a set weekend.
Date: 2007-04-26
Sirheni Update: I was a guide for 4 days at Serheni and herewith an account of the experience.
Date: 2007-04-26
The first episodes of “Team Wild”, a 26 part programme aired weekly on YOTV, has had a fantastic reception. At a recent screening in Skukuza, it had adults and children alike laughing and learning about the unique experience of growing up in the Kruger National Park, and in the process, exploring issues pertaining to biodiversity and conservation in a fun and informative way. Three local children from Skukuza Primary School present the series. The inserts will be part reality, part documentary, aimed at 6 to 9 year old viewers...
Date: 2007-04-26
This report on the Big Birding Day 2007 for Berg en Dal was compiled by Chris Patton.
Date: 2007-04-26
This report on the Punda Maria section of Big Bird Day 2007 was compiled by Peter Baart.
Date: 2007-04-26
These brief accounts were compiled by Snowy Botha and Rihann F. Geyser.
Date: 2007-04-23
The delays in the opening of the Pont (Ferry) and associated Immigration and Border Control facilities are regretted. The new opening date is tentatively set at 12th October 2007...
Date: 2007-04-23
Last year's inaugural SANParks writing competition was a successful first attempt at exploring South Africa's National Parks with words. The competition is a year older and wiser and we're looking forward to an exciting linguistic journey through the parks, with your stories as our guides...
Date: 2007-04-23
In an effort to recognise the skills and dedication of our employees, the Northern Region of SANParks held the 1st Regional Achievement Awards in Golden Gate Highlands National Park on 12 April 2007.
Date: 2007-04-23
In an effort to recognise the skills and dedication of our employees, the Northern Region of SANParks held the 1st Regional Achievement Awards in Golden Gate Highlands National Park on 12 April 2007.
Date: 2007-04-23
In an effort to recognise the skills and dedication of our employees, the Northern Region of SANParks held the 1st Regional Achievement Awards in Golden Gate Highlands National Park on 12 April 2007.
Date: 2007-04-23
Notice is hereby given of a public participation process in terms of the NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2006 for the installation of a 125kw standby generator for the funicular and a 30kw standby generator for tourist facilities at Cape Point.
Date: 2007-04-19
The 2006 Kruger National Park (KNP) Emerging Tuskers Competition attracted more than 180 individual entries and has identified eight new emerging tuskers, bringing the total to 50.
Date: 2007-04-18
Alarmingly low levels of some of the perennial rivers that affect the Kruger National Park (KNP) have forced KNP management to introduce stringent water restrictions in an effort to help preserve the biodiversity needs of the park’s river systems.
Date: 2007-04-17
Jerry Sibuyi remembers herding and milking Lt Col James Stevenson-Hamilton’s (the first Kruger National Park Warden) cattle in Skukuza. His South African ID says he was born in 1896 which may be inaccurate, considering the way administration matters were handled during those times. According to KNP Human Resources, Jerry’s records of employment are filed deep in the archives but his pension number however proves that he indeed once worked in the Park as Jerry receives a monthly pension of R168.25.
Date: 2007-04-17
The Marakele National Park management team, after consultation with it’s Park Forum (who fully supported the decision), re-released a wild dog pack into the park in early 2007. Read their story here...
Date: 2007-04-16
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park (KNP) Dr Bandile Mkhize welcomed almost 200 scientists, researchers, conservationists and other interested parties to the Fifth KNP Science Network Meeting, which started in Skukuza today (Monday April 16, 2007).
Date: 2007-04-13
Exciting new opportunity to work for SANParks!
Charged with the responsibility to develop and manage a system of national parks that represents the biodiversity, landscapes, and associated heritage assets of South Africa for the sustainable use and benefit of all, SANParks requires the services of a Head of Human Resources to join its Executive Management team based in Groenkloof, Pretoria (Head Office).
Date: 2007-04-12
West Coast National Park has a new self catering cottage, situated near the Abrahamskraal waterhole.
Date: 2007-04-05
In an attempt to provide a value-added service to road users on the N4, TRAC is investigating practical implications of providing a full time roadside assistance service to road users traveling on the N4.This service, called TRACAssist, will be implemented on a “test basis”, and be available only in South Africa (between Pretoria and Komatipoort). Road users stranded on the N4 and who wish to make use of this service, can contact TRAC on its customer care number: 0800 8722 64 (0800 TRAC N4).
Date: 2007-04-04
Kruger National Park (KNP) Rangers, Protection Services officers, Traffic Officers and other law enforcement officials will show no mercy to anyone caught disobeying the rules and regulations of the park during the 2007 Easter holiday period.
Date: 2007-04-03
Few people are aware that Birdwatching is the fastest growing outdoor pastime in the world – second only to gardening. In an effort to introduce this delightful activity to everyone, BirdLife South Africa, Sasol, Africa Birds & Birding magazine and the Johannesburg Zoo have collaborated to mount the Sasol Birds & Birding Fair – with the theme “Start Birding”, to be held at the Zoo on the weekend of 4 to 6th May 2007.
Date: 2007-04-02
A new species of parasitoid wasp Pycnostigmus hoerikwaggoensis has been named in honour of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP)...
Date: 2007-04-02
Opening of Silvermine Tented camp gives hikers luxurious new reasons to sleep in the park. Hikers in Table Mountain National Park can now sleep over in two separate tented camps, following the opening yesterday (Friday, March 30, 2007) of the Silvermine Tented camp...
Date: 2007-03-30
Mr Etienne Fourie,manager of the Agulhas National Park, was the guest speaker at a meeting of the Napier Discussion Group earlier this year. He was invited to talk on what is referred to as the “dynamics” of this, the southernmost and also the most recently proclaimed, South African National Park.
Date: 2007-03-29
2007 is the third successful year for the annual SANParks Kudu and Chief Executive Awards. SANParks management continues to honour and celebrate contributions and achievements by staff and external stakeholders who play a significant role in the conservation of our biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Date: 2007-03-29
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize recently received two national PMR Awards on behalf of South Africa’s largest national park at a business breakfast in Johannesburg on Friday March 23, 2007.
Date: 2007-03-28
SANParks has a large and varied cliental, many of whom are serviced by the Tour Operators who work in our parks. The services they provide are varied, from your budget beaters, to the higher end of the spectrum. A new and interesting addition to this arra...
Date: 2007-03-27
The honorary rangers of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park present an exciting birding experience from 26 - 28 October when we hold our Addo Birding Bonanza...
Date: 2007-03-27
The honorary rangers of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park present an exciting birding experience from 26 - 28 October when we hold our Addo Birding Bonanza
Date: 2007-03-27
The Honorary Rangers of the Karoo will be hosting a birding weekend in 11 - 13 May 2007.
Date: 2007-03-27
The Honorary Rangers of the Karoo will be hosting a birding weekend in 11 - 13 May 2007.
Date: 2007-03-26
The Tokai Cecilia Management Framework: Comments and Response Report has been completed.The report provides firstly, an overview summary of the wide range of comments received on the draft Management Framework and secondly, lists the detailed responses by SANParks to specific comments.This document is a synthesis of the comments made by Interested and Affected Parties on the Draft Tokai Cecilia Management Framework...
Date: 2007-03-26
Tankwa National Park – a place of extreme beauty and solitude… A destination for those seeking the brightest stars in Africa, a once in a lifetime glimpse of a rare endemic bird or, perhaps, nothing more than a silence that reaches deep into the soul…
Date: 2007-03-26
In light of suggestions made by the SANParks website community, the 2007 Kudu and Chief Executive Awards now include a Website Community Choice Award.
Date: 2007-03-22
PHALABORWA – Kingfisher Private School’s quiz team swept the opposition during the high school division of the Kruger National Park(KNP)/Foskor Water Week Quiz in the town hall this week (Tuesday March 20, 2007). The team of three pupils from this school competed against 11 other schools from the area.
Date: 2007-03-22
PHALABORWA – Kingfisher Private School’s quiz team swept the opposition during the high school division of the Kruger National Park(KNP)/Foskor Water Week Quiz in the town hall this week (Tuesday March 20, 2007). The team of three pupils from this school competed against 11 other schools from the area.
Date: 2007-03-20
SKUKUZA – “By using libraries, we can all become better people and make South Africa a better country.” This was the message given by the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize at the launch function of the Mpumalanga leg of National Library Week, which took place today (Monday March 19, 2007) in Skukuza.
Date: 2007-03-20
Mapungubwe National Park has discontinued the Vhembe Wilderness Trail.
In its place the four Wilderness Cabin units at the Vhembe Wilderness Camp are now available for individual accommodation reservations. Bookings can be made from any Reservations office.
Date: 2007-03-20
Upgrading Of N2 Highway Through Plaatbos Nature Reserve (“plaatbos Tunnel”
The road contract for the upgrading of the N2 highway worth R 316 million, over a 33 month period commenced on 15 January 2007. In terms of the contract agreement, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry issued a permit for the removal of trees from the road reserve, along the 4km stretch through the Plaatbos Reserve and at the new entrance to the Total Petroport.
Date: 2007-03-20
A team of iKapa Honorary Rangers cleaned up part of a boardwalk that was damaged by a fire on the top of Table Mountain. Honorary Rangers Sue Smith who is the Chairperson Rudi Sigenthaler the duty officer of iKapa Honorary Rangers carried 500 kgs of damaged boardwalk from the fire site to a position suitable for uplifting by helicopter.
Date: 2007-03-16
Karoo National Park’s own Jan Frieslaar claimed first prize in the Karoo National Park Half Marathon held on 17 February. Jan, who has been competing in half marathons since 1996, works as a field ranger and guide in the Park and has distinguished himself by claiming first prize in a variety of local marathons including the Meiringspoort Half Marathon and Karoo Heart Festival Half Marathon. He also finished second in the Cango Caves Half Marathon.
Date: 2007-03-14
Pledges to Keep Kruger Clean were presented to the Development Bank of South Africa and Kruger National Park’s (KNP) 10 entrance gates today (Wednesday March 14, 2007) by the Executive Director of the KNP, Dr Bandile Mkhize.
Date: 2007-03-13
Field ranger, Thomas Mathosi has stabilised in hospital after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was overturned by a group of elephants while they were on patrol in the far northern part of the Kruger National Park at around 11:15 this morning (Tuesday March 13, 2007).
Date: 2007-03-08
In August 1975, Harry Matthysen took the first steps to establish the Skukuza Nursery as it is known today. The initial objective of the nursery was to supply and cultivate the camps with grass and other indigenous plants and to enable resident personnel to plant indigenous plants in their gardens...
Date: 2007-03-08
Since 2003 Marna Herbst, a PhD student from the Mammal Research Institute (MRI) of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria, has been learning more about the private lives of Kalahari African Wildcats.
Date: 2007-03-08
Since 2003 Marna Herbst, a PhD student from the Mammal Research Institute (MRI) of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria, has been learning more about the private lives of Kalahari African Wildcats.
Date: 2007-03-08
Team Wild is coming to town! The Southern African Natural History Unit (SANHU) has been approached by SABC 2 to produce 26 short inserts for a YoTV programme called “Team Wild”. The series will be presented by two local children from Skukuza Primary School. The inserts will be part reality, part documentary, aimed at 6 to 9 year old viewers.
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-07
If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...
Date: 2007-03-06
On behalf of SANParks, congratulations and thank-you to everyone involved in the inaugral cricket weekend!! While the cricket weekend was an opportunity for inter-park co-operation, community outreach, as well as a platform to bring our online community together, there was also a fund raising objective. Just one week after the event the total amount of money needed to purchase and install the Nossob Webcam was met and exceeded, with money still coming in!
Date: 2007-03-06
Mazhou is a shona word meaning a place of elephants. The Mazhou Camping Site in Mapungubwe National Park was officially opened to the Public on the 1st of March 2007.The site is nestled close to the Limpopo Forest Tented Camp and Maloutswa Bird hide on the western section of the park.
Date: 2007-02-28
Staff members in KNP were left with awe and respect for the family man who also dedicated himself to conservation for thirty seven years. Sergeant Aaron Nkuna is one rare example of the field rangers who were loyal and exposed themselves to areas in which armed poaching existed almost on a daily basis. Mr Mike English, the former Regional Ranger in KNP still affectionately calls the field rangers “The Unsung Heroes of Conservation” not only in KNP but throughout Africa.
Date: 2007-02-28
Publish or perish – so the saying goes in scientific circles. The work that researchers do in their fields of expertise, needs to be read by people in the scientific community, so that new information and ideas can be circulated and understood by the general public.
Date: 2007-02-28
Kruger National Park lions are in the spotlight again. This time, the question asked is what they prefer to eat. As part of a collaborative study between the Mammal Research Institute (MRI) of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria and the University of California at Berkeley (USA), lions are being monitored in the Satara area, to see where they are going and if they choose to eat buffalo.
Date: 2007-02-28
How to monitor the degradation of the landscape and vegetation has been a question intriguing ecologists over the years. Having an idea of the how functional and healthy the soil condition is, is vital in any management decision-making process.
Date: 2007-02-26
The Honorary Rangers of the Addo Elephant National Park are once again organising their Annual Golf Day. This year it will be held on Friday, 18th May at the Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth.
Date: 2007-02-22
A 15% Discount on all accommodation at Mapunguwbe National Park For The 2nd, 3rd And 4th Of March 2007 in Celebration of the Lunar Eclipse. This offer is open to everyone, except Travel Trade.
Date: 2007-02-22
Calling for Nominations!
Date: 2007-02-21
The Mazhou Camping Site in Mapungubwe National Park will be opening to the public on the 1st of March 2007. The site, situated close to the Limpopo Forest Tented Camp in the Western Section of the Park caters for 10 caravans or tents, and each camping site is equipped with a powerpoint.
Date: 2007-02-21
Yesterday saw the release of cheetah in Mountain Zebra National Park, situated near Cradock in the Eastern Cape, marking the culmination of over ten years of a joint public-private conservation initiative.
Date: 2007-02-20
Due to recent attacks and muggings in and around the Table Mountain National Park we wish to provide the public, tourists and regular visitors to the mountain with as much information as possible, in order to keep you safe.
Date: 2007-02-19
Specialised help was needed to move an automatic weather station from is current position near Skukuza airport to its new home at Pretoriuskop.Richard Kenner and George James of SANAS (Inteltronics) undertook this daunting task of moving the nine metre tall tower and its precision instruments. Firstly all the instruments had to be carefully disconnected and removed, and then the steel tower dismantled piece by piece.
Date: 2007-02-19
The new, soon to be proclaimed national park in the Wintershoek is offering a limited 'sneak preview' of the park to 30 lucky guests! Over the 2 and 3 March 2007, they will be offering accommodation and a viewing of the lunar eclispe.
Date: 2007-02-19
With the ICC World Cup rapidly approaching, cricket fever has spread as far as Skukuza in the Kruger National Park (KNP) where a feast of cricketing action is planned for this coming weekend (February 22 – 24, 2007).
Date: 2007-02-15
Camdeboo National Park is planning to make the most of the lunar eclipse that will occur on the 3/4 of March 2007. The park will be allowing visitors in, free of charge after closing time, to up to the valley and watch the moon disappear from the famous Karoo skies...
Date: 2007-02-14
The patrolling of the two million hectare Kruger National Park (KNP) became a bit easier today when the KNP’s Executive Director, Dr Bandile Mkhize accepted five brand new motorbikes from a generous Gauteng-based sponsor.
Date: 2007-02-14
SANParks would like to wish all the people celebrating Valentine's Day in our parks many special moments together!
Date: 2007-02-13
South African National Parks (SANParks) is in talks with Telkom to upgrade telecommunications infrastructure around the Skukuza area, in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2007-02-02
'All the world loves a lover' and Kruger National Park in no exception. All Kruger restaurants will be running Valentine's day specials, with a menu offering a range of special options suited to the day's theme...
Date: 2007-02-01
The beautiful Kruger landscape is home to an amazing array of fauna, flora, and, on occasion, cricketers! The cricket oval near Skukuza is surrounded by bushveld. The players? An assorted bunch of Scientists, Rangers, Field Guides and community members from Skukuza, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and the SANParks online forums, who plan to come out in the summer sun to play cricket and raise funds for SANParks!
Date: 2007-02-01
South African National Park (SANParks) today awarded a multi-million rand contract for the provision of restaurant services at the world-famous Kruger National Park (KNP), to the Compass Group.
Date: 2007-01-31
Dear Colleagues
A leopard that was rescued on a farm in the Baviaans area and released into the Darlington section of Addo Elephant National Park in December will be featured on SABC TV program 50/50 on Sunday afternoon, 4 February. We hope you’ll tune in to watch it!
Date: 2007-01-30
SANParks Northern Region is planning many activities to celebrate the total lunar eclipse that will occur on the 3/4 of March 2007. Golden Gate Highlands, Mapungubwe and Marakele national parks will be hosting astrology evenings with complete interpretation on offer from experts from Astronomy Africa and an unsurpassed viewing of the lunar eclipse as it occurs.
Date: 2007-01-30
In the heart of the unspoilt Northern Cape, a new South African National Park is preparing to welcome the public to a sanctuary filled with abundant game, a landscape that is as varied as it is beautiful, and a range of accommodation and activities designed to ensure that trips to the new park are unforgettable.The establishment of the new 19 611 ha national park south west of Kimberly is the result of the de-proclamation of Vaalbos National Park following a successful land claim made on a section of the original park by the Sidney on Vaal claimants.
Date: 2007-01-30
Explore Addo's diversity by doing the two-day Alexandria Hiking Trail, which leads the hiker through three distinctly different environments, ranging from forests to coastal dunes to sea-shore. No other trail in the country can boast this diversity, as you clamber up the desert-like dunes and stand aloft cliffs crumbling into the sea, trek through high forest, and along spectacular beaches...
Date: 2007-01-30
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park Dr Bandile Mkhize officially received a purpose-built gas delivery truck from TotalGaz Managing Director Mr Hugo De Meyer today (Tuesday January 30, 2007).
Date: 2007-01-29
SANParks is proud to announce that you can now check for accommodation availability online in real-time. "Due to the fact that the requests are processed on a first-come-first-serve basis, there is no guarantee that clients will get the accommodation they saw as available and requested, but this is the first step towards the full implementation of real-time online reservation system which will be operational later in the year", says E-Commerce manager Nedret Saidova.
Date: 2007-01-18
A woman tourist, Sandra Malan was injured when she fell off the suspension bridge at Tsitsikamma National Park near Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday afternoon.
Date: 2007-01-18
A group of rehabilitated street children from Cape Town set off for an outdoors experience of a more pleasurable kind when StreetSmart – a fundraising organisation dedicated to the upliftment of homeless kids in the city – treated them to a guided eco-challenge at Table Mountain National Park.
Date: 2007-01-18
The Satara webcam in the Kruger National Park is being opened to the public! This webcam overlooking the Satara waterhole has been a firm favorite with SANParks ‘virtual guests’ for the last year, as they’ve spent hours peering through this ‘window’ into the Kruger National Park, watching animals and birds come down to drink, bathe and graze.
Date: 2007-01-17
There is no way of knowing the answer to the above question, but Duke has recently been photographed with a breeding herd, and is pictured here with a calf. It is impossible to know if this is Duke’s offspring as he could have just joined this herd for a while, however it's nice to think that he could have fathered another of what must be many calves.
Date: 2007-01-17
Modern technology has become important even in the heart of the African bush. GPS technology is being used to track and study animals, and computers plot the season's veld fires. The children of Skukuza primary need to be computer litterate to prepare them to function competently in modern society.
Date: 2007-01-17
The December CyberTracker sightings have been added to the site. These sightings are a subset of the daily ranger patrol information collected using the CyberTracker (CT) System...
Date: 2007-01-16
At around the time of the opening of Kruger’s newest camp, Tsendze Rustic Campsite, a rather unusual challenge was encountered.SABC Afrikaans radio station RSG approached KNP Public Relations Department with an idea of broadcasting its current affairs programme – Monitor - live from Tsendze and what did we think of that?
Date: 2007-01-16
On Saturday 16 December, the Annual Honorary Rangers Cycle Race was held in the scenic West Coast National Park. Riders came from all over SA to complete either the 80km main race, the 30km short race or the 5km fun ride. The park was closed to vehicular traffic for the time-trial duration.
Date: 2007-01-10
Sale Of ± 1073 M³ FSC Certified (Certificate Number: Sgs-Fm/coc-1231) Indigenous and Blackwood Logs in The Southern Cape and Tsitsikamma Indigenous State Forests.
Date: 2007-01-05
On Thursday 7 December two vets, Dr Danny Govender and Dr Peter Buss from KNP Veterinary Wildlife Services and pilot Hennie de Waal, left Skukuza to fit collars to seven bull elephants. It was an early 4h30 start to fly to Shingwedzi to beat the heat, as there is a risk of an elephant suffering from heat stress if captured later in the day when the temperatures are high.
Date: 2007-01-05
On the 25th of November 2006, a delegation from South African National Parks (SANParks) consisting of 11 people and one representative from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), embarked on a fact-finding mission to Tanzania and, more specifically, Tanzanian National Parks (TANAPA). The group was made up of people from the Savannah Ecological Research Unit within the broader SANParks Conservation Services, representing not only the Kruger National Park (KNP) but also some of the other savannah parks.
Date: 2007-01-05
As a new year begins, SANParks continues its strategy to improve the quality of the guest experience! To do this, it is important to get the feedback from our guests. To facilitate customer feedback, we will be requesting that guests complete the Customer Feedback Form...
Date: 2007-01-02
Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate in the South of the Kruger National Park (KNP) was opened again for traffic today (Tuesday January 2, 2007) after it was closed for four days due to the rising of the Crocodile River.
Date: 2007-01-01
In the heart of the unspoilt Northern Cape, a new South African National Park is preparing to welcome the public to a sanctuary filled with abundant game, a landscape that is as varied as it is beautiful, and a range of accommodation and activities designed to ensure that trips to the new park are unforgettable.The establishment of the new 19 611 ha national park south west of Kimberly is the result of the de-proclamation of Vaalbos National Park following a successful land claim made on a section of the original park by the Sidney on Vaal claimants.
Date: 2006-12-20
In order to prevent disappointment that visitors might have if they are turned away at the Kruger National Park’s 10 entrance gates, the KNP’s acting Executive Director Dr Freek Venter urged visitors be aware of gate quotas when planning their day visit.
Date: 2006-12-13
At least one suspected poacher was shot early this morning (Wednesday December 13, 2006) on the Eastern Boundary of the Kruger National Park...
Date: 2006-12-13
KNP Rangers, Protection Services personnel and Traffic Officials of the Kruger National Park will be on high alert this Festive Season and will have a Zero Tolerance approach to anyone found breaking the rules...“We don’t mean to scare anyone away from enjoying their holiday in the Kruger, but we do get repeated requests from our law abiding guests that their holidays are spoiled by those who feel the rules don’t apply to them...
Date: 2006-12-12
This is the very first of what will feature on our website as a monthly greeting from SANParks Executive Management to all of our valued online stakeholders! As we approach the holiday season, we hope that many of you will be visiting our Parks, and enjoying the beauty and diversity of our wild places. May you return from your travels refreshed and restored in mind, body and spirit...
Date: 2006-12-12
South African National Parks (SANParks) would like to call the public’s attention to fraudulent fundraising scams that are doing the rounds in many parts of country at this time of year...
Date: 2006-12-07
Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) has announced Siyabona Africa Safaris as
the 22nd product – and the first mobile safari company – to qualify for coveted FTTSA
certification.
Date: 2006-11-30
South African National Parks (SANParks) joins the enlightened world in giving a voice to the fight against HIV & AIDS, and will once again participate in the World AIDS Day commemorative celebrations at the SANParks head office in Groenkloof, east of Pretoria.
Date: 2006-11-28
By: Izak Smit (Research Manager: GIS & Remote Sensing)
A view from above might help answer questions on the ground. In order to manage Kruger National Park effectively and to understand how actions like artificial surface water provision, management fires and animal numbers influence the system, effective and well-designed monitoring programmes are crucial...
Date: 2006-11-28
The R1.5-million upgrade to the Skukuza Game Capture Bomas was officially recognised today (Tuesday November 28, 2006) by the Kruger National Park’s Executive Director, Dr Bandile Mkhize...
Date: 2006-11-28
Prominent horticulturalist, author and indigenous plant expert, Geoff Nichols, was on hand in Skukuza to help various SANParks staff with general botanical issues. Based in Durban, KZN, Geoff is an expert consultant on various plant related topics ranging from vegetation assessment to site rehabilitation, with an indigenous nursery in Westville, KZN called Fig Tree Indigenous Nursery.
Date: 2006-11-26
Total SA received a KNP Executive Director’s Special Merit Award for its continued support in the KNP over time. TOTAL South Africa General Manager for Retail, Craig Lourens, received the award on behalf of TOTAL at the annual Kruger Park Awards function held at Skukuza on Friday 17 November.
Date: 2006-11-26
This year, the ladies showed the way at the Southern African Wildlife College graduation with Esther Sibanda from Zimbabwe the proud recipient of the best Certificate student prize and Belinda Haaketa from Zambia the best student in the Diploma class.
Date: 2006-11-26
Conservation of valuable marine resources in the Addo Elephant National Park received a significant boost today with the acquisition of a new boat...
Date: 2006-11-23
Far from being snatched from the people, Table Mountain National Park offers something for everyone, says TMNP Manager, Brett Myrdal...
Date: 2006-11-23
What makes the world famous Kruger National Park special? The park’s media relations officer Raymond Travers tries to answer this question as he shows the different attractions that have made this “palette of Eden” the yearly quest of more than a million visitors per year.
Date: 2006-11-21
This is a reminder of the fantastic offer open to Cape Town Wild Card holders! In an ongoing effort to unlock value for Table Mountain National Park Wild Card holders we've negotiated a great deal with the organizers of Jazz on the Rocks, the annual jazz event held at Oudekraal.
Date: 2006-11-20
For the eighth year in a row, the Kruger National Park (KNP) presented achievement awards to its top camps, gates, ranger stations, departments, regions and staff at the 2006 KNP Achievement Awards function in Skukuza tonight (Friday November 17, 2006).
Date: 2006-11-20
In the interests of constantly improving our product and service, we’ve devised a customer survey that will allow you to tell us about your Wild Card experience...
Date: 2006-11-20
After the very successful Club Championships of 2006, the time has come to start planning for our next Championship Competition in 2007...
Date: 2006-11-20
SANParks congratulates the Chief Executive, Dr David Mabunda, on his latest achievement.
Date: 2006-11-20
South African National Parks (SANParks) is the proud recipient of a Silver Arrow Award which was officially presented on 17th November 2006 by the Professional Management Review (PMR).
Date: 2006-11-17
They’re big and hairy and in need of conservation and are found in the Kruger National Park (KNP) – but they have double the normal number of legs. They are baboon spiders...
Date: 2006-11-16
"Jazz on the Rocks" is an annual event that takes place at Oudekraal in Table Mountain National Park.“Jazz on the Rocks” works with the concept of enjoying music in wide open spaces.
Date: 2006-11-16
Bontebok National Park is under going a series of upgrades and renovations on all facilities. This means that until April/May 2007 our Rest Camp is closed due to the heavy construction work taking place.
Date: 2006-11-15
Environmental consultant Butch Rossouw reports that there have been no appeals reported in the environmental impact process for the creation of a new Orpen Gate, leaving the road clear for construction to start...
Date: 2006-11-15
After successfully lobbying to host the annual international board meeting of the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA), destination South Africa, will on 18 November, welcome 15 directors and owners of Japan’s top outbound travel agencies and their spouses for a seven day tour of the country.
Date: 2006-11-15
The very first guests to stay at Tsendze arrived on the 2 November, one day after the camp openned. In just two weeks since then, Tsendze has all the makings of a Kruger Classic, as the conversations taking place about this camp on the SANParks forums illustrate.
Date: 2006-11-14
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) held its annual prize giving and awards ceremony on Friday the 10th of November 2006, as part of its Conservation Open Day event...
Date: 2006-11-13
Important Notice: In response to further requests for an extension of the comments period, South African National Parks supports a further extension of the comments period for the Tokai Cecilia Draft Management Framework from 24 November 2006 to Friday, 15 December 2006
Date: 2006-11-13
Response Letter to the Saturday Star, November 2006: Elephant corridors seem to be “flavour of the month” currently, mainly due to Prof. Rudi van Aarde’s position and his frequent pushing of this point in the respective media. Elephant corridors are, however, still only a theoretical or potential management option and are as yet completely untested in practice. Nowhere has a successful elephant corridor yet been created...,
Date: 2006-11-13
Nine senior officials from the Kruger National Park (KNP) Technical Services Department recently completed their National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level five and level seven diploma courses and were presented with their certificates last week...
Date: 2006-11-13
by Brett Myrdal,
Manager Table Mountain National Park.
To have a national park as part of the city makes Cape Town exceptional among the cities of the world. It's a factor that privileges our lives here, and one that brings tourists flocking.
But managing a mountain park in an urban environment is a delicate business, especially when everyone regards that mountain as their backyard...
Date: 2006-11-10
The Kruger National Park's (KNP) Executive Director, Dr Bandile Mkhize was presented with a R100 000 cheque from Thubelisha Homes as the first instalment of a three-year donation to the park'ss Cybertracker Programme...
Date: 2006-11-09
It was a cold day in Utrecht, and a small group of strangers met at the at Utrecht Central Station. They had traveled from various locations in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. The occasion? The first ever SANParks Forum "Euro Meet". So how did a group of people who had never met each other before end up together in Utrecht? And where does SANParks fit in?
Date: 2006-11-08
On behalf of SANParks and the e-commerce team we'd like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who supported the latest SANParks forum fundraising initiative!! We hope it’s the first of many and look forward to many more projects like this in the future.
Date: 2006-11-08
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer systems designed for storing, manipulating analyzing and displaying data in a geographic context...(download pdf file)
Date: 2006-11-03
iKapa Honorary Ranger and Volunteer Wild Fire Services Fire Fighter Ruedi Siegenthaler saved a puffadder from certain death last Friday night (27 October) whilst fighting a fire on Devils Peak. The snake was spotted in the middle of a burned area and would have surely perished if not spotted, and taken to safety...
Date: 2006-11-03
The iKapa Honorary Rangers recently completed a training exercise on Table Mountain, using a route less travelled, and discovering some of the interetsing history of the area...
Date: 2006-11-03
The time has come to vote for the Annual 2006 Forum Award winners. For those who are unfamiliar with our forums, or were not registered yet last year, when the awards were launched, here is a brief overview about what the awards and the forums are about.
Date: 2006-11-02
Between the 25th and 29th of September 2006, a field survey was carried out by a team of 21 people comprising staff of CapeNature and the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Riverine Rabbit Working Group (EWT-RRWG). In total 15 Riverine Rabbits (Bunolagus monticularis) were recorded in the Ceres Karoo, Klein Karoo and in the Cape Winelands of the Western Cape.
Date: 2006-10-31
The Honorary Rangers of the Counter Poaching & Ranger Support Services Unit of South African National Parks, invite you to join us for an extended weekend of music near Letaba, a beautifully shaded camp in the Kruger Park, from 9th May, departing on 13th May 2007
Date: 2006-10-31
Working for Wetlands is an Extended Public Works Program (EPWP) funded by Department of Environmental Affairs And Tourism (DEAT) through South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) aimed at wetlands rehabilitation and restoration. Central to the program is job creation, entrepreneurial skills development, training and social up-liftment...
Date: 2006-10-30
Vaalbos National Park is on the move from its current location near Barkley West in the Northern Cape, to an area south west of Kimberly, currently known as Wintershoek. Along with the move comes a new name (yet to be announced) and essentially a new national park. The move involves huge logistical operations, including the translocation of about 1200 animals, and the establishment of new facilities…
Date: 2006-10-27
As in the distant past when our ancestors were the builders, new structures are rising up at Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site. With the addition of a unique interpretation centre, a campsite and a brand new staff village, the park is developing quickly...
Date: 2006-10-26
The annual Syngenta conference with the theme ‘Power of the Pack’ was recently held at the Mopani Restcamp in the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2006-10-26
The Honorary Ranger’s of the Addo region held their annual golf day on the the 11th August 2006 at the Humewood Golf Course.
Date: 2006-10-26
The starkly beautiful Kgalagadi landscape is home to an amazing array of fauna, flora, and, on occasion, cricketers! The field is a dry and dusty patch of open ground just outside of the Kgalagadi Transfronier Park. The players? An assorted bunch of Scientists, Rangers, Field Guides and community members who have come out in the Kalahari midday sun to play cricket...
Date: 2006-10-25
A group of the top tour operators were given a sneak preview of the Kruger National Park’s newest overnight facility, the Tsendze Rustic Campsite today (Thursday October 19, 2006)...
Date: 2006-10-24
The South African Birding community were saddened to hear of the death of Ken Newman and extend their sympathy to his family...
Date: 2006-10-24
The TMNP CDF Comment and Responses Report is now available...
Date: 2006-10-20
The Treehouse research programme held their fourth annual workshop in Skukuza recently with great success. Participants were from Southern Africa and the United States of America who are passionately involved in research into People and Conservation issues affecting biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods...
Date: 2006-10-19
When Siemens South Africa decided to upgrade their own computers, they offered their used computers (Pentium 2's) to the Alien Invader Task Group (AITG) of the Honorary Rangers...
Date: 2006-10-19
Hiking equipment costs can be an expensive deterrent for first time and occassional hikers or hikers who cannot afford to invest in the correct backpacks or rucksacks.
Date: 2006-10-19
The theme for the 2006 celebrations of Marine Week is: Ocean Highways, Currents of Hope Across Sea Boundaries. SANParks Marine and Coastal Management Unit are tasked with preserving important parts of South Africa's Marine and Coastal environment...
Date: 2006-10-18
The Tokai and Cecilia Draft Management Framework is now available...
Date: 2006-10-18
As part of SANParks Marine Week Celebrations, on Sunday 22nd of October, Table Mountain National Park is having an under water harbour cleanup using scuba divers to clean Kalk Bay harbor seabed...
Date: 2006-10-18
Honoray Ranger National Executive Committee and Chairpersons' meetings usually take place in Gauteng because of the large number of regions in this part of the country. However, at the persistent invitation from the West Coast region of HR’s, the meeting took place in this beautiful park from the 14 to 17 September.
Date: 2006-10-17
It was in June 2006, when a young ambitious man arrived in Kruger and within a short space of time; he had transformed the KNP’s Bus and Truck Drivers into confident champions who walk with their heads high.
Date: 2006-10-17
by Joel Roerig (GVI Volunteer)
The popular walking trails are back in Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site. From this week two new trails rangers are available to take guests on day walks or a spectacular 4-day trail through the mystical environment of South Africa’s most northern national park...
Date: 2006-10-17
Where the red dunes and scrub fade into infinity and herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest follow the seasons, where imposing camel thorns provide shade for huge black-maned lions, and vantage points for leopard and raptors...Welcome to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Wilderness Experience...
Date: 2006-10-17
Where the red dunes and scrub fade into infinity and herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest follow the seasons, where imposing camel thorns provide shade for huge black-maned lions, and vantage points for leopard and raptors...Welcome to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Wilderness Experience...
Date: 2006-10-16
From the 1-7 September 2006 the Augrabies Falls National Park celebrated Arbor Week. This commemoration was two-fold; on the one hand the park was visited by the Sentraal Primary School Kakamas as well as the Keimoes High School and on the other hand the park led a tree-planting ceremony held on Wednesday 6 September in the community of Langverwag, Kakamas.
Date: 2006-10-16
"South African sea waters have exceptionally rich marine biodiversity. Our waters hold 10% of the world's marine biodiversity. This places a huge responsibility on our shoulders to ensure the sustainability and protection of this unique and extraordinary environment," said Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, when launching National Marine Week.
Date: 2006-10-16
Niel Preston shares his impressions of a guided walk in the KNP..."Even though I am aware that one has to be constantly alert to the possibility of danger, the sense of peace and the stillness continue to evoke feelings that are difficult to define. It is as though something from deep inside me is trying to connect with this place. Is it a vague attempt at a re-connection with the vast universal soul, perhaps the mind of Gaia, or memories of countless lives lived before the noise and the crowds of civilization broke that connection"...
Date: 2006-10-16
by: Mark D. Anderson (Department Of Tourism, Environment & Conservation Northern Cape)
Raptors often fall into farm reservoirs and drown. A bird of prey with waterlogged feathers has little chance of getting out, especially if the dam is not full, since the sheer walls offer no purchase for it to scramble up...
Date: 2006-10-16
The Kaaimans River Pass on the N2 between George and the Wilderness in the Southern Cape has re-openned to for two way traffic.
Parts of the pass caved in last month following heavy rain and flooding in the area.
Date: 2006-10-16
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) has long been associated with the tall windmills at each waterhole in the park. However, over the past few years, some of these windmills have been replaced by unobtrusive solar systems, making good use of the abundant sun energy that is so freely available in the Kalahari and reducing the manpower needed for the heavy maintenance of the windmills.
Date: 2006-10-13
Of late there has been a lot of discussion around this development, particularly between the members of BirdLife South Africa through various forums. The discussions revolved around some fundamental objections to the development of the international airport on the current La Mercy light aircraft site with particular reference to avifauna.
Date: 2006-10-13
This story, sent through from Augrabies Falls National Park is a piece of popular folklore that has been circulating in the region for many many years...read and enjoy!
Date: 2006-10-13
By Joel Roerig
A record number of African elephants are roaming the currently dry bush of Mapungubwe National Park. On the 9th and 10th of October SANParks conducted the annual aerial gamecount in South Africa’s most northern park and this confirmed what rangers and tourists already noticed: the tuskers are growing in numbers every year.
Date: 2006-10-13
To our valued clients and 4x4 enthusiasts
Please note that we are busy with road constructions and our 4x4 route will be closed with immediate effect until further notice. We will use this site to keep you posted. Sincere apologies for the inconvenience.
Date: 2006-10-12
Kruger National Park (KNP) Rangers have another powerful ally in the fight against poaching and illegal movement of wildlife products, this time with four legs...
Date: 2006-10-11
South African National Parks (SANParks) will auction 40 animals this Saturday (October 14, 2006) in Pretoria...
Date: 2006-10-11
Letaba Camp has annual events during school holidays where staff members’ kids clean up litter in Kruger National Park. During the last school holidays, the kids cleaned up the tar roads between Olifants, Letaba, Mopani and Phalaborwa.
Date: 2006-10-11
The SANParks (South African National Parks) Honorary Rangers of KZNatal held their annual golf day at the Maritzburg Country Club recently...
Date: 2006-10-03
Next time you visit one of our national parks you should see this poster up around the camp. The poster is advertising the launch of the new South African National Parks Ethics Hotline, operated by KPMG...
Date: 2006-10-03
Orpen Entrance Gate in the Kruger National Park (KNP) was robbed early this morning by eight armed men.
Date: 2006-10-03
Please note that as of the month of October 2006, an Exit Permit will be introduced all guests of the South African National Parks must be in possesion of a valid exit permit when exiting any National Park...
Date: 2006-10-02
South African National Parks (SANParks) would like to call the public’s attention to a fraudulent fundraising scam that is currently circulating in the West Rand area, just outside Johannesburg. SANParks believes that this scam could be doing the rounds in other parts of the country as well.
Date: 2006-09-30
Lower Sabie is a very old camp originally built in the 1930's. It has a special place in many people's hearts. The infrastructure is however old and desperately needs upgrading. This development is vital to ensure that we give our guests value for money but do not destroy the ambiance of the camp...
Date: 2006-09-29
History is full of stories about epic journeys, literal and metaphoric. Think Marco Polo, think Tenzing Norgay and Sir Ed, think Nelson Mandela. And there are a fair number of epic elephants around too-think Dumbo, Ganesh…the Magnificent 7.There are even stories about epic journeys that involve elephants...
Date: 2006-09-29
There was an attempted robbery at Numbi Entrance Gate in the Southern area of the Kruger National Park last night. It is believed that suspects attempted to open the safe, but they failed and no cash or valuables were taken, other than a few souvenir DVDs and ice creams.
Date: 2006-09-28
Wilderness National Park celebrated SANParks week with wet paint and words of wisdom from the elders when the park welcomed senior citizens and learners from surrounding communities and schools into the park to enjoy sessions of oral history and to paint a mural to commemorate SANParks Week. For many individuals from both groups it was a first time visit.
Date: 2006-09-28
Lindela was abandoned by his father when he was nine months old and grew up in the Eastern Cape. He was raised by his grandmother after his mother was forced to leave him in Bengu village and seek work in Cape Town. This story is a quintessential South African story about the children, women and old people forgotten in the rural areas - and the pain of being abandoned. “It was not always about money, it was about love, knowing that there are people who care about you as a person”
Date: 2006-09-28
Rupert Sheldrake said: "Does not the separation of science and spirituality, mankind and nature underlie the despair and disempowerment of the world we live in?" The ‘Spirit of the Wild’ course that a few fortunate SANParks employees experienced at Bergplaas in the heart of the Camdeboo area in the Karoo addresses the need for a spiritual reconnection with the natural environment...
Date: 2006-09-26
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park, Dr Bandile Mkhize urged people of all cultures to learn more about the KNP at the Cultural Heritage Day Celebration in Skukuza today (Saturday September 23, 2006).
Date: 2006-09-22
This week South African National Parks (SANParks) celebrates the 75th anniversary of the old Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, which now forms part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with Botswana...
Date: 2006-09-22
The first phase of developing the Tokai and Cecilia Management Framework has now been completed. The two resulting documents are now available for stakeholder public information. These documents are 1) Baseline Information Report and 2) Issues and Response Report.
Date: 2006-09-21
Table Mountain National Park today hosted a group of residents from the Beaconvale frail care centre in Mitchells Plain. The group was one of two special outreach trips that the Park organized as part of its National Parks celebrations.
Date: 2006-09-21
Do you remember the first time you went on a school trip and left the community where you were born and raised? Or the first time you lazed under tall trees on a spring day and had a picnic? Do you remember the first time you saw a lion? Or an elephant?
Date: 2006-09-20
Berg en Dal Rest Camp Reception in the Kruger National Park will temporarily move from its present location to the Restaurant complex from now until November 12, 2006 while the Reception Building is closed for upgrading work...
Date: 2006-09-20
At the Groenkloof launch of SANParks week (see pictures below), Dr. David Mabunda Chief Executive, SANParks, explained the thinking behind National Parks week to staff and guests. The material below is taken from his address...
Date: 2006-09-20
The e-commerce division of SANParks decided, as part of the SANParks Week celebrations, to introduce learners from all over the region to the SANParks website. Students were brought in to see the exhibits at SANParks head office in Groenkloof, and in groups of between 5 and 10 gathered around the laptop set up among the other exhibits, and began to explore...
Date: 2006-09-19
by Joel Roerig
"The kingdom of Mapungubwe is one of the lost cities of the world. A visit should be seen as a pilgrimage. This is not a place to come and party. It is an area that people visit to rest, to go into the bush or to learn about the important African heritage...’’
Date: 2006-09-19
As part of SANParks National Parks Week, the Executive Director of the Kruger National Park, Dr Bandile Mkhize opened a wooden boardwalk at the Skukuza Nursery today (Tuesday September 19, 2006)...
Date: 2006-09-18
South African National Parks would like to announce that the FREE access to all national parks is only available from 18 – 22 September, and does not include the upcoming long weekend of September 23-25.
Date: 2006-09-14
The programme available for download in PDF format.
Date: 2006-09-12
SANParks Annual Report 2005 - 2006 (PDF 4MB) is now available for your reading pleasure!
Date: 2006-09-12
In Beeld yesterday (September 11, 2006) there was an article dealing with the drafting of the KNP management plan.
One of the points made by the article was that new visitors to the Kruger National Park, predominantly from previously disadvantaged communities, would like more “entertainment” (or “vermaak”). They specifically prefer guided activities like game drives, morning walks and the like.
Date: 2006-09-11
08 September 2006
Today, Dr David Mabunda, Chief Executive of South African National Parks (SANParks) announced the launch of the first South African National Parks Week at the SANParks head office in Groenkloof, Pretoria.
Date: 2006-09-06
It's time to secure your booking for next years KNP Birding Weekend. The event is expected to attract up to 650 participants and mobilize an estimated 2000 people as birders converge on Kruger for the annual event...
Date: 2006-09-06
Boulders Beach –Table Mountain National Park– is one of SANParks’ best universally accessible destinations. The wide boardwalk takes all visitors, mobile and dependent on wheelchairs, right down to Foxy Beach and allows marvelous close-up views of the scores of African Penguins that call this place home.
Date: 2006-09-06
PEAP (Public Education and Awareness Project) was founded by 3 of the Gauteng based Honorary Rangers (2 from Johannesburg region and one from West Rand). Their committee has been joined by an HR from Pretoria region. Most of their exhibitions and school visits have been within Gauteng and there is more than enough scope to keep them busy...
Date: 2006-09-05
The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mrs Lindiwe Hendricks, launched Arbor Week 2006 at Johannesburg Zoo on Friday, 1 September 2006. This year’s Arbor Week will take place from 1 - 7 September. The theme of the event is “Plant a Tree, Grow our Future”.
Date: 2006-09-05
The Steiner Precision Binoculars will be given away on Friday, 8 September. You still have a chance to enter the draw by making a donation towards the purchase of vital CyberTracker equipment for SANParks. To date R9 600-00 has been raised. This will almost purchase two of the ten units needed...just another R1 800-00 is needed...
Date: 2006-09-05
Forty-six oiled African penguins will today be rescued from Addo Elephant National Park’s Bird Island in a joint rescue effort. Park rangers stationed on Bird Island first noticed the oiled penguins on Wednesday, 30th of August, and began the rescue process. It is not clear where the oil spill that is affecting these penguins is situated, as no ships have been registered as run aground...
Date: 2006-09-04
Monday the 28th of August, 2006 was a special day for the Veterinary Wildlife Services (VWS) in Kruger National Park. It was a day that accommodation in Skukuza Staff Village was handed over to the park by the donor Thubelisha Homes in a deal brokered by the Honorary Rangers VWS National Project.
Date: 2006-09-04
Monday the 28th of August, 2006 was a special day for the Veterinary Wildlife Services (VWS) in Kruger National Park. It was a day that accommodation in Skukuza Staff Village was handed over to the park by the donor Thubelisha Homes in a deal brokered by the Honorary Rangers VWS National Project...
Date: 2006-09-04
Birders all over the country will remember the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project, the results of which were published in 1997. This first atlas involved the participation of thousands of bird watchers all over the country and was the first project of its kind in southern Africa to involve so many "citizen scientists". A large amount of information about the distribution and density of birds was collected which culminated in the publication of the first bird atlas. Best of all, many people were brought in to birding through their interest in the atlas project and because participation was so much fun!
Date: 2006-08-31
For the first time in history, African conservation and business leaders have a platform through which they can discuss matters of common interest...
Date: 2006-08-30
We have received a wonderful selection of quality entries for our inaugral SANParks writing competition. Thank-you to everyone who has made the effort to make this competition a success. However, your job is not done... the public judging of the competition begins today, Monday 4 September 2006, and continues until the 5 October. We are inviting all members of the public, SANParks staff members, competition entrants and their family and friends to assist us in the public judging process...
Date: 2006-08-29
Please note that Bontebok National Park is again open to the public, after being temporarily closed after recent heavy rains. However, while the roads have dried up and some of the damage has been repaired, visitors can still only access the Eastern Drive and the straight road to the rest camp. The road around the Race Course is still closed due to bad roads. Please phone Bontebok National Park on 028 514 2735 for further information.
Date: 2006-08-29
One lane of the N2 at Kaaimans Pass between Knysna and George has re-openned for one directional traffic. Vehicles must not exceed a loaded weight of a a maximum of 5 tons if using this route, and delays of approximately 40 minutes either way are expected. The National Park authorities in this region are in constant communication with the disaster management team and structural engineers involved in managing the damage to the roads, and will provide further information on the situation as it becomes available. Traveller's can also use the old Knysna-George route via Saasveld. Please find the map of the detour attached herewith.
Date: 2006-08-25
I took a trip up to West Coast National Park yesterday. The weather was lovely and the lagoon was a beautiful bright blue. The bird hides are always a good place to visit and I went to the one closest to the Langebaan Gate first, close to the sandy banks of the lagoon. A flock of flamingoes were comfortably settled close to the hide, feeding in the shallow water and some were relaxing at the waters edge...
Date: 2006-08-25
Bontebok National Park is temporarily closed due to heavy rains in the Swellendam area over the last two days and the resultant widespread floods. These floods have affected the Bontebok National Park roads, damaging many of them and flooding some...
Date: 2006-08-25
This is elephant country. No mistake about that. When one travels along the S3 which parallels the Sabie to the South, the signs were clear. Trees have been stripped of bark. Thick stumps of trees obstructed the road in places. The whiplash sound of falling trees were often heard, as lone bulls and smaller groups of bulls on their destructive path, uprooted giant trees...
Date: 2006-08-24
Thirteen of the world's leading elephant scientists reached agreement yesterday on a series of guidelines that they suggest could inform Government policy for elephant management in South Africa.
Date: 2006-08-24
Grasslands are the ecosystem most affected by biodiversity loss in southern Africa, but only a tiny fraction are formally conserved and they are under a major threat from climate change. With this in mind, it is encouraging that the 41st annual congress of the Grassland Society of South Africa (GSSA) was well attended and that there was a lively vibe among the participants...
Date: 2006-08-23
This week the Namaqualand Communal Farmers Anatolian Dog Livestock Guarding Project gets off to a tail-wagging start as the first group of dogs is handed over to their new owners. The project is run with the support of SANParks after a successful pilot project...
Date: 2006-08-22
The Honorary Rangers of the Free State Region are thinking about the future. They realise that if they want to continue to contribute meaningfully towards the conservation of our natural heritage, they need to focus their efforts on the youth of their region, and mentor the next generation of conservationists...
Date: 2006-08-22
by Mario and Jenny Fazekas
For many visitors to SANParks, seeing the ‘big 5’ is a high priority. They just don’t feel like their trip is complete without seeing Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, and Rhino. Jenny and Mario Fazekas, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, share their thoughts on their very own big 5...
Date: 2006-08-22
‘Woman’ should be a verb. A ‘doing’ word. Active. Strong. Involved. Determined. This is the impression that I get from interviewing Tshinangwe Maria Moate, SANParks’ Manager for Environmental Education. She believes that “it is through action that we learn, it is through action that we remember, and it is through action that we shape the future”...
Date: 2006-08-18
Sibongile Masuku Van Damme is a conservationist, poet, educator, healer, leader, scholar and philosopher. She answers my simple questions with responses that probe, think, listen, expound and explore. I’m not surprised she lists caving as a pastime, intrigued as she is by the language of Foucault, the dynamics of the mind and the strength of tears...
Date: 2006-08-18
About two years ago, the former Park Manager of West Coast National Park approached the Honorary Rangers of the West Coast Region to start a project to relocate a breeding herd of Grey Rhebuck (Pelea capreolus) to the Park. The SANParks structure had been unable to offer an acceptable source for these animals and so the HR's used their wide contact base to find someone in the privare sector... Little did they know then what a thrilling and exciting project this would turn out to be!
Date: 2006-08-16
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg that embrace the park's rolling plains and deep valleys, were blanketed in unseasonable snow, and buffeted by chilly winds yesterday.
Date: 2006-08-16
New areas for conservation and new opportunities for the communities living adjacent to the Addo Elephant National Park were opened up today by Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk with the official opening of the new southern access road in the Park.Minister Opens New Access Road at Addo Elephant National Park’s 75th Year Celebrations...
Date: 2006-08-16
There are exactly two weeks to go until the submission deadline for the writing competition. The 31 August is the cut off date. If you have any last minute queries or anxieties, please e-mail me at diannet@sanparks.org or call me on 012 426 5019
Date: 2006-08-15
It is often brief glimpses or incidents that leave the most indelible impressions on human minds. Springbok are so named because of the occasions they are observed ‘springing’. The name ‘trekbokke’ was used to describe the relatively few occasions they were observed migrating in aggregations of millions. The accounts of early observers (of ‘mega-herds’ three miles wide and three and a half days long - estimated at a density of twenty one thousand animals per acre) left an impression that is preserved in the name to this day...
Date: 2006-08-15
The latest Gauteng Shopping Centre display by the Honorary Rangers took place at Elardus Park Shopping Centre in Pretoria from Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th of August. It was a tricky display as for the first time with the numerous shopping centre displays done in the past, the location was an outdoor one.
Date: 2006-08-14
Today, Dr David Mabunda, Chief Executive of South African National Parks (SANParks) launched the Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA) initiative at a media briefing held in Johannesburg. This initiative, the first of its kind in the continent, is in joint partnership with Gold Fields Limited (funding patron) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (conservation patron
Date: 2006-08-14
The upgrading of the 60 km gravel road from Andriesvale to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park ,which is part of the Expanded Public Works Program, is progressing well. Three and a half kilometers has been tarred so far and it is envisaged that ten kilometers will be completed by the end of August 2006.
Date: 2006-08-14
Many city dwellers are understandably keen to spend time out of cities and today there is much emphasis on “lifestyle and quality of life” and the importance of spending time in the outdoors...
Date: 2006-08-14
The Kruger National Park’s management plan has been drafted and stakeholders are invited to view the plan before it is finalised...
Date: 2006-08-11
An archaeological excursion will be conducted at the second headquarters of Steinaecker’s Horse Unit in the Kruger National Park from August 6 – 19, 2006. The project is lead by the well-known historical archaeologist, Dr Anton van Vollenhoven, a director of the research department of Archaetnos Archaeologists.
Date: 2006-08-11
For the past 2 years, the Johannesburg Honorary Rangers have been able to sell a night at the Barnyard Theatre in Broadacres. The profit from these entertaining nights goes towards valuable conservation projects in SANParks...
Date: 2006-08-11
The Giriyondo Tourism Access Facility will be temporarily closed from August 15 to 16, 2006...
Date: 2006-08-11
Here is the draft management plan for Table Mountain National Park The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/about/plan.php
Date: 2006-08-10
A new era in the study of the biology of southern African vulture species has arrived with the implementation of a method, known as patagial tagging, in the colour-marking of such birds. Colour-marking of birds is commonly used as a simple and affordable method to identify individuals in a population to determine, among other aspects, the birds’ movements, dispersal, foraging range and longevity across their range.
Date: 2006-08-10
It’s time to emerge from winter hibernation, haul out your golf clubs, and set your wild side free as we celebrate the 2006 Pretoria Region’s annual Golf Challenge. This year’s Wild About Wildlife challenge will be held at the Silver Lakes Golf Club on Thursday, 5th October 2006...
Date: 2006-08-10
SANParks would like to apologise for referring to the mutually agreed upon settlement regarding the SANParks domain names in this story in language that may have implied that the matter was settled in court. While this issue did involve legal negotiations, a settlement between SANParks and the private tour operator referred to in the story was reached before the matter went to court. We have adjusted the language in our report accordingly.
Date: 2006-08-08
Today South African National Parks (SANParks) took ownership of the AS350 B3 s/n 4091 helicopter at an official hand over ceremony held at Lanseria Airport near Johannesburg. Both Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk and SANParks Chief Executive Dr David Mabunda, accepted the helicopter on behalf of SANParks.
Date: 2006-08-08
August is a month for celebrating the role that women are playing within SANParks and the conservation community at large. Our organization is proud to boast a number of strong and proactive women leaders, from the executive manager to the CE, Pauline van der Spuy, to the Dr Razeena Wagiet, Executive Director of People and Conservation, to Wanda Mkutshulwa, Head of Corporate Communications-the list goes on...
Date: 2006-08-05
The burning of the 34 ton whale carcass of the Southern Right Whale that beached off Kommetjie on Friday, 21 July 2006, is proceeding smoothly. Once the biomass has been significantly reduced, the remaining carcass and skeleton will be disposed of. Both the TMNP and the City have been monitoring the burning.
Date: 2006-08-04
This is an ideal opportunity for companies, individuals and golfers in general to come to Beaufort West for an enjoyable weekend on the golf course. Its a great way to build team spirit and relax in the wide open spaces of the Karoo National park, which has accommodation specials running for the event.
Date: 2006-08-04
An episode of the television programme “Sho’t Left Chalenj” was filmed in Kruger National Park, on the Olifants Back Pack Trail and at Letaba. It will be aired on SABC 2 at 18:30 on Saturday, 05 August 2006. The Olifants Back Pack trail is a four-day, three-night Back Pack Trail that follows the Olifants River through the heart of South Africa’s largest National Park...
Date: 2006-08-04
Lion sightings are high on nearly every tourist’s priority list when they visit a big five area like the Kruger National Park. Guides at lodges often go to a lot of trouble to find lions on their daily game drives. But how well do the guides really know the lion prides? How accurate is their knowledge of how many lions in the area belong to established prides? Do they know which are nomadic animals moving from place to place?
Date: 2006-08-03
The long predicated rains started on Tuesday 1 August in the afternoon with an overnight rainfall of 149.25 mm. The rest camp and staff houses in the Wilderness National Park were evacuated on Wednesday morning and by 13:00 the park looked like a giant river. Due to the timeous evacuation there was no loss of life or injuries sustained in the Park.
Date: 2006-08-03
Travelling through KTP is about taking your time and looking thoughtfully at the surroundings, for the small animals as well as the large ones, and last but not least taking in the beautiful landscape that always looks so different with the days changing light...
Date: 2006-08-03
Here is the draft management plan for Tsitsikamma National Park The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/
Date: 2006-08-03
Here is the draft management plan for Wilderness National Park The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/
Date: 2006-08-02
The Cape pangolin (Manis temminckii, ietermago) is a strange-looking armour-plated ant-eating mammal that few people have ever seen in the wild, and even fewer scientists have ever studied. Jonathan Swart is among the handful of people who have devoted time to studying the Cape pangolin...
Date: 2006-08-02
Here is the draft management plan for Addo Elephant National Park. The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/
Date: 2006-08-02
Please note that due to extremely heavy and continuing rain, Knysna National Lake Area will not be contactable, and the public are advised to avoid travelling extensively in the area. There is wide spread flooding and many of the roads are in poor conditions. Emergency services are attending to the situation, and we will post updates on the website as and when they come through.
Date: 2006-08-02
The Camdeboo National Park, which surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, has grown in size with the addition of the Winterhoek property.
Date: 2006-08-02
Just as we thought that winter was coming to an end at Golden Gate National Park, and that the snow that we had earlier this year was all we could expect for the season, yesterday’s rain showers turned much colder and whiter! It's snowing again, and more snow is expected over the next few days, making this week / weekend the perfect time to come and visit our winter wonderland...
Date: 2006-08-02
These images of a darted hornbill were taken in Savute Campsite in Botswana. However a glossy starling (still alive) has been seen at Skukuza Rest Camp with a similar dart embedded in its body. If you are in any national park and see signs of wildlife (dead or alive) with darts, or witness any persons with a blow pipe or similar weapon please report it to the nearest camp management and if possible notify either Chris Patton or Raymond Travers
Date: 2006-08-02
Table Mountain National Park and the City of Cape Town would like to advise the public that the burning of the the Southern Right whale that beached off Kommetjie on Friday, 21 July 2006 has begun. They repeat thier appeal to the public to stay away from this area, which has been cordoned off with razor wire to protect the sensitive dune environment.
Date: 2006-08-01
Please note that SANParks Head Office is experiencing extraordinary volumes of phone calls, relating to the openning of bookings for 2007. As a result, the phone lines are congested.
Date: 2006-08-01
At this time of the year, many local and overseas visitors start looking forward to the magnificent flower displays up the southern west coast of South Africa. Given the wet and wintery conditions prevailing in many areas of the country at the moment, this picture, sent in by Mike Lodge, from the West Coast National Park will hopefully brighten your day.
Date: 2006-08-01
The Karoo is a magical place. For many people, it’s enough to sit under the wide skies and listen to the space and silence. However, the Karoo National Park offers much more than this by way of places to visit and things to do...here's a few ideas…
Date: 2006-07-31
South African National Parks is taking over the management of the Golden Gate Hotel, formally known as the Golden Gate Protea Hotel, with effect from Tuesday, August 1 2006.
Date: 2006-07-28
by Japie Classens
The 80 000 hectare Tankwa Karoo National Park protects one of the most starkly beautiful tracts of the Tankwa Karoo. It teems with life and character, from the dramatic landscapes, wide silences, eccentric richness of plant diversity and the rare and prolific birdlife that exploits this landscape and its relative isolation.
Date: 2006-07-28
The crew from Going Nowhere Slowly's 'Couch Trip' recently completed the Table Mountain Trail, which is the luxury component of the 4 Hoerikwaggo trails offered by Table Mountain National Park. The footage they shot will be aired on SABC3 on the 30 July at 17h30.
Date: 2006-07-28
There is a lush and vibrant waterhole in the Kwaggasvlakte section of Marakele National Park. The area is characterized by sweet-veld, acacia thornveld and combretum woodland. The rich habitat diversity within a small area attracts plentiful wildlife. It’s hard to believe that there is no natural, permanent water supply to the area...
Date: 2006-07-28
Table Mountain National Park and the City of Cape Town would like to appeal to the public to stay away from the area around the Southern Right whale that beached off Kommetjie on Friday, 21 July 2006. The high number of curious bystanders over the last week has had a very negative effect on the coastal dune system and coastal milkwood thicket in the area adjacent to the casualty. The area has since been cordoned off with razor wire to protect the sensitive dune environment...
Date: 2006-07-27
The SANParks online community is involved in an online campaign to raise money for CyberTracker equipment. Jose van der Hoorn has started the ball rolling with a donation of R5720-00. This is the largest single donation received through the website thus far. Another very generous donation of R1000-00 was made by Terry Nomell.
Date: 2006-07-27
Golden Gate Highlands National Park has been busy implementing its 2006 Fire Management Programme over the past few weeks. This involves securing fire breaks early in the burning season to prevent accidental fires that are initiated outside the park from causing damage within the park. Fire breaks are also made around infrastructure of the park to protect against the loss of assets and human lives should a fire break out...
Date: 2006-07-27
Here is the draft management plan for Camdeboo National Park The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/
Date: 2006-07-27
On Friday, 22 July, a 14.65 meter Southern Right whale, weighing 35 tons, washed up off Kommetjie in the vicinity of the Slangkop light house. The whale was examined by Dr. Peter Best who determined that it had recently given birth, and had been lactating. Dr. Best further surmised that the whale died at sea on Wednesday or Thursday last week and washed up on Friday...
Date: 2006-07-27
by Lynette Strauss
From Monday to Saturday, and many Sundays, more than 250 field rangers are deployed across the length and breadth of Kruger’s two million hectares to preserve, conserve and, where possible, maintain the integrity of one of South Africa’s prime wilderness areas.
Date: 2006-07-26
Shouts of “Action!”, “Cut!” and “Quiet on set please!” briefly transformed parts of Addo Elephant National Park into a film set at the end of June 2006 when 19 crew and cast members of the popular South African SABC soap opera, Isidingo, arrived in the park for a 3 day shoot.
Date: 2006-07-26
This year is the tenth anniversary of the Wilderness Craft Market, hosted in the Wilderness National Park on the banks of the Touw River. The market is fundraising inititaive started by the Southern Cape region's Honorary Rangers.
Date: 2006-07-25
The Johannesburg region Honorary Rangers are hosting thier annual Golf Day on the 29 September 2006 at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. Funds raised go towards environmental education, Ranger Support Services, Vetenirary Wildlife Services alien plant elimination and upgrades of tourist facilities. See attached form...
Date: 2006-07-25
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) are pleased to announce that Harriet Davies-Mostert, the newly appointed Manager of the Carnivore Conservation Group, will be giving a talk on the current status of African wild dog conservation in South Africa. Harriet is presently completing her Doctorate entitled “The utility of the metapopulation approach for African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) conservation in South Africa” at Oxford University.
Date: 2006-07-25
Table Mountain National Park has, after discussions with other role players, decided to dispose of the Southern Right Whale carcass off Kommetjie by working with nature to accelerate decomposition. This after meeting with other role players this morning and reaching consensus that removing it by land will not be feasible, because of the sensitive coastal thicket dune system in the area.
Date: 2006-07-24
This is the story of two rhinos-and two perspectives of one very close encounter. Kathleen, on a guided walk, experiences first hand what the safety briefing is all about and Jannie, her guide on the walk, shares his experience of that same incident…
Date: 2006-07-24
Pay 50% Less...on ALL accommodation in Tsitsikamma and Wilderness National Parks...
Date: 2006-07-24
Visitors to Golden Gate National Park may be in for a wintery surprise. Instead of the characteristic warm and mellow shades of gold for which the park is famous, the area may transform into an ermine covered winterscape of dancing white light, with snowfalls predicted in many areas of South Africa’s highland areas.
Date: 2006-07-24
Pay 50% Less...on ALL accommodation in Tsitsikamma and Wilderness National Parks...
Date: 2006-07-24
Here is the draft management plan for Mountain Zebra National. The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/
Date: 2006-07-21
Here is the draft management plan for Agulhus National Park The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/
Date: 2006-07-21
Following our story earlier this week on the massive operation to translocate animals from the old Vaalbos National Park near Barkley West in the Northern Cape, to a new national park that will be established on a recently acquired piece of land called Wintershoek, south west of Kimberley, we've complied a brief timeline of the process...
Date: 2006-07-21
Here is the draft management plan for Camdeboo National Park The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/
Date: 2006-07-21
Here is the draft management plan for Karoo National Park The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/
Date: 2006-07-21
Here is the draft management plan for Bontebok National Park The management plans are also in the process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. Details regarding the time, place and venues for these meetings can be obtained from park management. For more information, visit : http://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/
Date: 2006-07-20
South African National Parks (SANParks) is currently involved in a massive operation to translocate animals from the old Vaalbos National Park near Barkley West in the Northern Cape, to a new national park that will be established on a recently acquired piece of land called Wintershoek, south west of Kimberley.
Date: 2006-07-20
"Winter sunlight, clean as a cut orange" shines down on the Karoo landscape and the exuberant display of winter flowers that have temporarily transformed the face of the Tankwa Karoo National Park. The 85 000 hectare park protects one of the most starkly beautiful tracts of the Tankwa Karoo. It teems with life and character, from the dramatic landscapes, wide silences, eccentric richness of plant diversity, rare and prolific birdlife and the sense that time was born here, and with time, life.
Date: 2006-07-19
Table Mountain National Park will, in the coming weeks, be undertaking the first phase of a program focussing on population control of Fallow Deer within the Park.
Date: 2006-07-18
Please find attched herewith the Stake Holder Feedback Form for Alien Species Management.
Date: 2006-07-14
Worldwide, there is an increasing realisation of the ecological costs of biological invasion in terms of irretrievable loss of native biodiversity. The Kruger National Park (KNP) faces this same global challenge. What follows is a brief look at Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) control in the KNP over the last seven decades.
Date: 2006-07-14
The Olifants Backpacking Wilderness Trail is aimed at the hiking market and differs from the traditional wilderness trail in that there is no single fixed base camp. The group overnights at different spots as they walk from close to where the Olifants River enters the park south of Phalaborwa, to the end a few kilometers upstream of where the Olifants runs next to the main tourist road between Olifants and Letaba camps.
Date: 2006-07-13
The West Coast Region of Honorary Rangers yesterday formally handed over a brand new 20-seater Mercedes Benz bus to SANParks at West Coast National Park. The bus will be used to support the parks youth outreach efforts. Says Park Manager Xola Mkefe "Three and a half thousand kids visit our parks as part of eco-educational programmes, and that does not include the 500 kids from the 'kids in the park' programme. Many of these kids have no way of exploring the 30 000 hectare park"...
Date: 2006-07-12
When you visit the Karoo national park, not only will you be traveling to one of the worlds richest dessert flora areas, with more than 9000 plant species, the highest concentration of breeding black eagles, and abundant animal life, you'll also be traveling back in time, and visiting creatures that lived on the earth 35 million years before the dinosaurs.
Date: 2006-07-12
Karoo National Park is characterised by a dramatic landscape, abundant plant and wildlife, and a number of hidden charms. There are literally dozens of things to discover on every visit. Here are some interesting Karoo facts to whet your appetite.
Date: 2006-07-12
Kruger National Park (KNP) staff members who were the victims of Tuesday morning’s robbery at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp will receive preliminary counselling by the South African National Parks (SANParks) psychologist today (Wednesday July 12, 2006), to determine their state of shock after being brutally beaten and terrorised by the robbers.
Date: 2006-07-12
Rangers from the 22 ranger sections of the Kruger National Park (KNP) gave demonstrations of their various skills today (Tuesday July 11, 2006) at the Letaba Shooting Range.
Date: 2006-07-11
The server that hosts SANParks reservation data experienced technical problems yesterday, which resulted in a loss of some of the reservation data which was captured yesterday, 10 July 2006.
Date: 2006-07-11
The Honorary Rangers of the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) are once again organising their Annual Golf Day. This year it will be held on Friday the 11 August at the Humewood Golf Club.
Date: 2006-07-10
Today, five pairs of oribi were released in the Addo Elephant National Park on the Langvlakte Contractual property.
This is a significant introduction as oribi (Ourebia ourebi) are classified as “endangered” on the IUCN Red Data List. In addition, this is the first time this highly specialised antelope species has been introduced to the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2006-07-10
On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July 2006, an exciting new introductory birding course is being offered on the West Coast.
Date: 2006-07-10
On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July 2006, an exciting new introductory birding course is being offered on the West Coast, as part of the continuing efforts of the West Coast Honorary Rangers.
Date: 2006-07-07
A few months ago, Table Mountain National Park committed to a public engagement process around the future of Tokai and Cecilia plantations. The public engagement process which forms part of the Environmental Management Framework, was subject to funding becoming available. Such funding has since been secured, and a team of consultants has been appointed to oversee the process.
Date: 2006-07-07
Barbara Mayer, a retired teacher from Hawaii, arrived in South Africa a few weeks ago as part of a programme called Teachers Without Borders. She plans to use SANParks as a teaching resource in the workshops taking place in Vereeniging, Port Shepstone and Umtata.
Date: 2006-07-06
As a child, my first experiences with the far North were filled with vivid memories of giant Baobab trees with smooth trunks. Each tree I had met on our frequent travels became a persona. My little self greeted each and every one when we stopped to have some 'padkos' along the way. Small as I was, I sensed that they held secrets, and imagined that they responded to me when I touched their old bodies. My second, and far stronger awareness of mystical, ancient whisperings, was that of the rocky hills…
Date: 2006-07-05
Table Mountain National Park’s Amazing Race on Youth Day was an amazing success! The event was the brainchild of acting People and Conservation manager, Joan Daries and Communications Manager, Janine Willemans. Together, they brought 10 people into the Park who have lived in Cape Town all their lives, but have never had the privilege of exploring the National Park and all it has to offer.
Date: 2006-07-03
The |AI-|Ais/Richtersvled Transfrontier Park is a fascinating place of many moods and is at present showing its most flamboyant side to the world. The dramatic park landscape is aflame with an unseasonably early array of colour as many of the tenacious plant species, characteristic of this area, come into bloom.
Date: 2006-06-30
The Chief Executive and Kudu Awards were handed out to a number of well-deserving individuals last night. For a fun and informal account of the event, the website team "blogged" the event in real-time on the SANParks forums.
Date: 2006-06-30
Yesterday, 29 June 2006, marks the second year of South African National Parks’ (SANParks) Kudu Awards to honour excellence in contributions towards conservation at a prestigious event held at The Castle in Kyalami.
Date: 2006-06-30
In the vastness of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a story is being written in the wilds. The authors are the animals, the wind, the trees and the myriad of creatures that live in the park. Very few people can read this story and decode the meaning of the smallest, subtlest signs of the wild.One man who could was Karel Kleinmann, popularly known as "Oom Vet Piet"
Date: 2006-06-30
Announcing the Registration Form for I&AP Park Management Plans, Conservation Development Framework Review and Tokai and Cecilia EMF.
Date: 2006-06-28
Did you know that 'Punda Maria' was so-named in 1919 and comes from the KiSwahili name "Punda milia"? This literally means "striped donkey". A Zebra was the fist animal that Ranger JJ Coetzer saw when he arrived in the area from East Africa. He combined the "Punda" with the name of his wife, "Maria"...and although there is no record of what either the Zebra or his wife thought of this odd coupling, the book:“ A Dictionary of Kruger National Park Place Names” holds many fascinating insights into KNP names...
Date: 2006-06-28
Golden Gate Highlands National Park will be hosting its first ever Big Birding Weekend in November 2006. The weekend is the result of collaboration between the park and the Honorary Rangers from the Free State, Vaaldriehoek and Bankenveld Regions.
Message from the Park Manager
Date: 2006-06-27
Dear Visitors to West Coast National Park.
We are in the process of reconstructing a few of the board walks within the park. This work is expected to be completed by the third week of July. If you'd like to know if this maintenance work will affect your planned visit to our park, please contact us for further information.
Many thanks
The Park Manager
Date: 2006-06-27
Next years KNP Birding Weekend is expected to attract up to 650 participants and mobilize an estimated 2000 people as birders converge on Kruger for the annual event.
Date: 2006-06-26
The Keep Kruger Clean Campaign was launched today (Saturday June 24, 2006) at Paul Kruger Gate by the Kruger National Park (KNP) Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize.
Date: 2006-06-26
Please note that updates to the HR site will continue soon. Please read this short message from the web content editor...
Date: 2006-06-23
By Fran Blandy (IOL)
Fences are coming down across Southern African borders, in an effort to boost and sustain the environment, eco-tourism and economic growth, while involving local communities.
Date: 2006-06-22
What to do with waste will always be a challenge, even in big cities and population centres. But how does South Africa's largest game sanctuary, the Kruger National Park, cope with hundreds of tons of waste material produced by more than a million guests per year?
Date: 2006-06-22
There will be a sale of ± 1000 m³ of FSC certified (Certificate Number: SGS-FM/COC-1231)indignous and blackwood logs in the Southern Cape and Tsitsikamma State Forents on Tuesday 18th July 2006 and Wenesday 19 July 2006.
Knysna and the Tsitsikamma indigenous forests are known for their exquisite timbers . This auction is the main platform whereby most of the indigenous timber furniture manufacturers can obtain their timber logs. Some of these manufacturers export their final products to Europe and beyond. This is an event that only happens twice or three times a year.
Date: 2006-06-21
Table Mountain National Park’s marine unit has once again made the Park proud with its performance and willingness to assist its partners in marine law enforcement.
Date: 2006-06-21
The Kruger National Park (KNP) has scheduled three stakeholder engagement meetings for the three main regions affecting the park and encourages all interested and affected people to attend these meetings.
Date: 2006-06-20
The Morula Kids Competition is one of various Environmental Education programmes offered by South African National Parks (SANParks), to increase the level of environmental awareness amongst the South African public broadly, and more specifically, learners.
Date: 2006-06-19
What is ‘Par for the Course’ for the numbers of bird species listed on a visit to the Kruger National Park? Well, it is a stupid question, of course, and it all depends. But the short answer is probably less than you thought, almost certainly fewer than your birding compatriots might have led you to believe, and definitely many less than the much-vaunted numbers in various tourist publications, glossy magazines, and bird books, that state that there are in excess of 500 species of birds in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The matter is complicatedly nuanced...
Date: 2006-06-15
Would you like to have your say about the way the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) tourism operation is being managed?
Date: 2006-06-15
A short visit to Karoo National Park's oldest residents on a bitterly cold winter morning turned into an incredible journey back in time – a mind-blowing 35-million years before dinosaurs existed.
Date: 2006-06-13
"We stage exhibitions about poaching because poaching potentially drives certain species to extinction, jeopardises our natural heritage, and in turn damages an industry which has the potential to fight povery and uplift our country" says Louis Lemmer, commenting on the counter-poaching efforts of the Petoria Region Honorary Rangers.
Date: 2006-06-12
Table Mountain National Park, in conjunction with the Cape Point concessionaire, are running an exciting "Kids are King" promotion form the 01 of June until the 31 of August 2006.
Date: 2006-06-12
Four Sable were released into Mapungubwe National Park early on Friday morning, as part of a project that reintroduces animals bred in European Zoos into the wild.
Date: 2006-06-09
Kruger National Park (KNP) and The Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services’ veterinary surgeons and researchers are closely monitoring a localised outbreak of anthrax in the extreme northern area of the park since last week.
Date: 2006-06-09
Ranger Support Services have organised a SANParks Golf Day on the 23 June 2006. All funds raised will be donated to the SANParks Anti-Poaching Unit.
Date: 2006-06-08
The Skukuza Sterling Light Lager Half Marathon is organised by the Skukuza Marathon Club. This annual event takes place within the Kruger National Park and is a highlight on the running calendar.
Date: 2006-06-05
Addo Elephant National Park celebrates once again this month after winning Professional Management Review (PMR) Golden Arrow Awards for Best Tourism Project and Best National Park in the Eastern Cape.
The awards are based on a survey conducted by PMR in January 2006 which collected 4 566 ratings from the Eastern Cape’s business, local government and provincial government sectors.
Date: 2006-06-01
These are stories by people who love South Africa's National Parks and want to share thier experiences... This is an account of a few days recently spent in Kruger. The writer finds" an incredible silence that I can smell, taste, hear and put away in my heart like a precious gift to be opened when I am in bad need of sustenance..."
Date: 2006-06-01
Golden Gate Highlands National Park will be hosting its first ever Big Birding Weekend in November 2006. The weekend is the result of collaboration between the park and the Honorary Rangers from the Free State, Vaaldriehoek and Bankenveld Regions.
Date: 2006-05-31
31 May 2006 is the final day that you can submit nominations for the 2006 Kudu awards.
Date: 2006-05-29
The Lowveld Region Honorary Rangers are co-ordinating a Golf Day Fundraising event to develop accessible trails in the Kruger National Park for people whose mobiliy is impaired. This includes the elderly, the physically challenged and the infirm.
Date: 2006-05-26
Traffic Officers, Visible Policing and other members of the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Protection Services Department were ceremoniously handed rank insignia and certificates in Skukuza yesterday (May 25, 2006) by the Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize.
Date: 2006-05-26
The annual Honorary Ranger (HR) Indaba was held in Tsitsikamma National Park from the 9th to the 14th of May.
Date: 2006-05-25
Golden Gate National Park and the Free State, Vaaldriehoek and Bankenveld Region Honorary Rangers will be hosting their first ever Big Birding Weekend in November 2006. The weekend is the result of collaboration between the park and the Free State Region Honorary Rangers
Date: 2006-05-24
Table Mountain National Park is giving 5 teenagers the opportunity to participate in an “Amazing Race” on Youth Day. They stand to win fabulous prizes for themselves and equipment to the value of R10 000 for their schools…
Date: 2006-05-24
Karoo National Park is offering fabulous discounts of up to 40% on New Reservations.
Date: 2006-05-18
Two Kruger National Park (KNP) field guides will appear in the White River Magistrate’s Court today (Thursday May 18, 2006) on charges relating to animal poaching in a protected area.
Date: 2006-05-10
With the support and encouragement from the Marakele Park Management, the Marakele Honorary Rangers were, for the fifth consecutive year, responsible for building and helping to manage the Marakele National Park stand at the recent Thabazimbi Wild Expo.
Date: 2006-05-09
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that as part of its support for the national campaign on the transformation of the tourism industry, all open safari vehicle permits will be issued annually subject to compliance with the Black Economic Empowerment Tourism Scorecard.
Date: 2006-05-09
The Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth; the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park near Upington and the Bontebok National Park in the southern Cape all celebrate 75 years of existence this year. Celebrations to mark these historical milestones have been planned for all three parks.
Date: 2006-05-03
The Sasol BirdLife South Africa National Bird Week launched on 1 May 2006 as a national bird awareness and conservation initiative in South Africa, focusing on birds, their habitats and conservation needs.
On Wednesday, 3rd May, members of the public are requested to count the number of birds in their gardens for 1 hour between 17h00 and 18h00 and...
Date: 2006-04-25
TMNP has enjoyed great success with its visitor safety program, which was introduced at the end of 2004. As a result, risk assessments are now underway in SANParks’ 21 other national parks around the country, with a view to implementing TMNP’s visitor safety plan, where applicable.
Date: 2006-04-20
As the Easter weekend approaches, Table Mountain National Park would once again like to remind visitors to put safety first. We’re expecting an influx of visitors who are taking advantage of the long weekend, but we are also mindful that the city is hosting the Two Oceans marathon – bringing thousands of runners and their family and friends to Cape Town.
Date: 2006-04-13
At its meeting of 22 March 2006, Cabinet approved the appointment of a new Board for the South African National Parks (SANParks). The Board members have been appointed for a period of three years, commencing on 1 April 2006.
Date: 2006-04-11
An elephant bull overturned a tourist vehicle in the Kruger National Park (KNP) between Phalaborwa Entrance Gate and Letaba Rest Camp at about 10:45 this morning (Friday April 7, 2006).
The vehicle had four passengers, the 40-year old driver and three children who all sustained minor injuries and were transported to Phalaborwa after the incident.
Date: 2006-04-11
In order to avoid the disappointment of arriving at a KNP Entrance Gate only to be turned away, KNP Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize has urged people to book, even if they are only coming to the Kruger National Park (KNP) for a day.
Date: 2006-04-06
The spectacular wonder that is the Augrabies National Park is once again alive – thanks to the recent rainfalls in the Northern Cape. Over the last couple of weeks, hundreds of visitors from around the country have been flocking to Augrabies, 120kms from Upington to experience the powerful flow of water – unleashed from rocky surroundings.
Date: 2006-04-06
South African National Parks (SANParks) is calling for nominations for the coveted second annual SANParks Kudu Awards.
Date: 2006-03-27
Visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) now stand to win prizes of elephantine proportions, including a field trip with researchers, if they enter the Emerging Tusker Project Photographic Competition.
Date: 2006-03-27
The Kruger National Park (KNP) launched a four-day, three-night Back Pack Trail that follows the Olifants River through the heart of South Africa’s largest National Park this weekend (March 25 – 26, 2006).
Date: 2006-03-24
New attractions of The Elephant Hall at Letaba Main Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP), which reopened today (Thursday March 23, 2006), include a full-size elephant skeleton and the impressive tusks of Mandleve.
Date: 2006-03-18
The Crocodile Bridge is flooded and the gate is closed. It is impossible for vehicles to cross and more water is still on the way. Guests must please make use of alternative gates (nearest Malelane Gate).
Date: 2006-03-18
Today, 38 runners are competing in the Addo Elephant Trail Run. The event includes a 100-mile (160 km) and 50-mile (80 km) race through the Addo Elephant National Park.
The 100-mile race begins in the arid northern section of the Park at Darlington Dam while the 50-mile race begins in the town of Kirkwood.
Contestants will end the grueling trail run in the main camp of the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2006-03-14
Due to the water level subsiding, Crocodile Bridge is open for traffic today, 14 March 2006 and can be crossed safely.
Date: 2006-03-13
We would like to take the opportunity to correct some misconceptions about the issue around the shooting of Fallow Deer in the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).
Date: 2006-03-13
The Route of the Lost Kingdoms stretches from inside the gates of the Kruger National Park at the ancient stonewall of Thulamela, follows a trial of myths and legends through Mapungubwe National Park to the small town of Alldays.
Date: 2006-03-09
We would like to invite you to our golf days in 2006! This year we are hosting golf days for both the Skukuza Nursery School and the Skukuza Primary School. The Nursery School sponsors all know us from previous years' golf days and we would like to attract and welcome sponsors of the Primary School.
Date: 2006-03-08
The Olifants River Back Pack Trail starts from Olifants Camp. The trail stretches over 4 days and 3 nights and covers approximately 42 km.
Date: 2006-03-06
06:50 Monday 6 March: The fire that started above Boyes Drive at 21:00 last night has been contained by Table Mountain National Park and City of Cape Town firefighters but helicopters will be dispatched this morning to water bomb the area in order to dampen the area. Crews will also remain on site throughout the day to guard against flare-ups.
Date: 2006-03-06
In spite of heavy rains in the Kruger National Park over the weekend of 3 to 5 March 2006, guests are advised that most gates and camps are accessible.
Date: 2006-02-28
It’s three weeks to go to the 2nd Addo Elephant Trail Run, which includes a 100-Miler, 50-Miler and, for the first time, a 46-km hike/walk. These extreme sport events take place within the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2006-02-21
The Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate to the Kruger National Park (KNP) was opened again for traffic today (Monday February 20, 2006).
Date: 2006-02-21
There was a technical failure of all email notification in the past 48 hours.
Clients who submitted booking forms online are kindly requested to resubmit their details.
Sincere apologies for the inconvenience!
Date: 2006-02-17
Table Mountain National Park firefighters fought three fires on the south peninsula yesterday afternoon and into the night but all three are either out or under control.
Date: 2006-02-15
South African National Parks (SANParks) is bursting through the traditional barriers that kept previously disadvantaged South Africans away from experiencing South Africa’s natural heritage.
Date: 2006-02-10
For the second time this year, the Kruger National Park (KNP) has had to close its Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate as the water of the Crocodile River has risen over the level of the access road.
Date: 2006-02-08
The Elephant Hall at Letaba Main Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is in the process of receiving a face-lift and will be closed for the next few weeks.
Date: 2006-02-06
Crocodile Bridge Entrance Gate to the Kruger National Park (KNP) is open for all traffic again after it was closed for more than a week due to the rising level of the Crocodile River.
Date: 2006-01-24
Kruger National Park (KNP) traffic officials issued 600 fines for various offences between December 15, 2005 and January 16, 2006.
“We warned people before the start of the festive season that they would indeed be fined if they break any of the regulations in the park, and this was indeed the case,” said KNP Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize, “but we still believe that most of our visitors do obey the rules.”
Date: 2006-01-20
The Kruger National Park's (KNP) dynamic outreach project "Take Kruger to 'Kasies'" was officially launched today (20 January 2006) at Mkhuhlu Shopping Complex near Hazyview by the KNP's Head of People and Conservation, Ms Helen Mmethi.
Date: 2005-12-29
More than 320 fines were issued for various offences in the Kruger National Park (KNP) from 15 to 27 December 2005 by KNP traffic officials.
Date: 2005-12-20
On Friday, 16 December 2005, 24 Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) were released onto Black Rocks Island in Algoa Bay after a successful rehabilitation effort by staff of the Addo Elephant National Park and Bayworld.
Date: 2005-12-20
Mpanamana Concession staff members worked swiftly to move guests to safety as the main building of Shawu Lodge in the Mpanamana Concession in the Southern Region of the KNP burnt down early this morning.
Date: 2005-12-15
SOUTH African National Parks (SANParks) has appointed the Compass Group as an interim service provider for all restaurants in the Kruger National Park. The appointment is for a one-year period, with effect from 15 December.
Date: 2005-12-15
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park (KNP) Dr Bandile Mkhize came out strongly against tourists, staff members, delivery vehicles and other officials who disobey the rules and regulations of the park, vowing that law enforcement officers would come down harshly on those who chose to break the rules during this festive season.
Date: 2005-12-15
The Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, is to invite local and international scientists to debate a series of disputed propositions regarding elephant management.
Date: 2005-12-15
Development of Draft Norms and Standards for Elephant Management Programme in South Africa
Statement issued on behalf of the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism by the Chief Director, Communications, Mr JP Louw
Date: 2005-12-14
More than 100 vehicles and almost 300 keen tourists have already made use of the Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility between the Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park, even although it only opened last week.
Date: 2005-12-13
Theme: "Multiple Use Management of Natural Forests and Woodlands"
Date: 2005-12-13
12:50 Tuesday 13 December 2005: A fire has started in the Simon’s Town area below the Navy signal School.
Date: 2005-12-12
For the first time ever Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is offering guided hikes up Table Mountain this festive season. Next week a selection of the TMNP Hoerikwaggo Trail guides will begin leading free hikes up Platteklip Gorge and along the Pipe Track. This service will be available until the end of January 2006.
Date: 2005-12-12
After a fast-extinguished flare-up this morning the fire at Suikerbossie is out. 33 Firefighters from the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and Working on Fire (WoF) will monitor the area over the weekend. Approximately 450 hectares of Park and private land were burned but no buildings were damaged.
Date: 2005-12-12
In order to avoid the disappointment of arriving at a KNP Entrance Gate only to be turned away, KNP Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize has urged people to book, even if they are only coming to the Kruger National Park (KNP) for a day.
Date: 2005-12-09
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and City fire fighters have worked throughout the night battling two fires that flared up during the night and the early hours of the morning. The first fire started last night above the Bokaap but was contained within about two hours.
Date: 2005-12-09
It is with great joy that we can announce that the "Spirit of Tsitsikamma" Boat Operation on the Storms River is back in operation. SANParks is operating the boat cruise from the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp in Tsitsikamma National Park.
Date: 2005-12-09
A Tsitsikamma National Park staff member suspected of assisting with abalone poaching activities in Natures Valley was arrested on 4 December 2005.
Date: 2005-12-07
The Kruger National Park scooped two Mpumalanga Professional Management Review (PMR) awards for the second consecutive year in a row.
Date: 2005-12-07
The presentation of the Kruger Cross is usually the culmination of the award ceremony, which saw 31 individual awards going to various individual Kruger National Park employees who have gone the extra mile while serving the organisation.
Date: 2005-12-06
The Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility (border post) that links Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and the Kruger National Park in South Africa in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), will be operational from the 7th of December 2005. This facility will facilitate tourism flow by providing easier access within the GLTP.
Date: 2005-12-03
Addo Elephant National Park is celebrating the successful birth of lion cubs, now about 4 months old.
Date: 2005-12-01
South African National Parks today (1 December 2005) announced the launch of the organisation’s "Know Your Status" campaign during a function held at the SANParks headquarters in Pretoria.
Date: 2005-12-01
"Unacceptable and indefensible". This was how Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, described the incident in which a group of 40 German travel agents were forcibly robbed of their belongings in Khayelithsa, Cape Town, yesterday afternoon.
Date: 2005-11-30
The Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, has welcomed the submissions of various NGOs and community organisations regarding the development of a national elephant management plan.
Date: 2005-11-28
The Department of Economic Development & Planning is deeply concerned about the recent rise in attacks of tourists visiting our Province. Attacks on tourist like the recent one at Waterval Boven on the 5th and the 18th of November 2005 have been on the rise as we are nearing the festive season.
Date: 2005-11-24
Minister Launches 2nd New Table Mountain Trail: Model of Success for Tourism, Conservation and Job Creation
"The Hoerikwaggo Trails project is a model for the success of the linkages between conservation, tourism, and job creation. It is fast becoming a flagship of our Expanded Public Works Programme," said Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, launching the new Table Mountain Trail, the second of four new trails in Cape Town on Thursday.
Date: 2005-11-23
We are proud to announce that we have received the Provincial Museum of the Year Award for outstanding work in the visual arts. With the help of visual artists like Peggy Delport and Tina Smith the Museum was acknowledged as having contributed to the visual arts field with its innovative and unique exhibitionary techniques, methodology and design.
Date: 2005-11-22
"Frank, necessary, and very constructive." This was how Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, described a series of meetings and consultations held on Tuesday with traditional leaders, local political authorities, and community representatives in the Wild Coast region of the Eastern Cape.
Date: 2005-11-22
This notice serves to inform you that all restaurants in the Kruger National Park are currently fully operational and continue to provide catering services as usual. It is business as usual for tour operators that have credit facilities with Natures Group, whose affairs are now being managed by the appointed liquidator.
Date: 2005-11-21
At around 19h30 this evening there was an attempted robbery in Deer Park.
Date: 2005-11-18
Information has been received on the access to Richtersveld after the flood damage, from the Park Manager, Andy Davies.
Date: 2005-11-15
South African National Parks (SANParks) today applied for the liquidation of Vilayet (Pty) Ltd – trading as Nature’s Group – the restaurant operator for all the camps in the Kruger National Park. The application was launched in the Pretoria High Court.
Date: 2005-11-13
This afternoon a local man was robbed by two men near the Kings Block House on Devil’s Peak. He was unhurt but the thieves made off his cell phone.
Date: 2005-11-11
Reacting to concerns raised by residents of Colchester, Alexandria, Boknes and Bushman’s River, Addo Elephant National Park Manager, Lucius Moolman, assured citizens that their rights would not be taken away.
Date: 2005-11-10
Last night Table Mountain National Park was awarded a commendation for outstanding environmental achievement in Environmental Conservation in the Architecture and Built Environment Award at the 2005 Cape Times\ Caltex Environmental Awards.
Date: 2005-11-05
This morning a couple was robbed on Signal Hill by three men. They were unhurt but the thieves made off with their camera and personal effects. Soon after the incident a patrol consisting of TMNP rangers and City Police arrived in the area.
Date: 2005-11-04
CapeNature, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council (MRC) - Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), hosted its first Traditional Healers Indaba on Saturday 29th October at Driftsands Nature Reserve near Delft. This marks the beginning of a series of interactions and the realisation of a permanent relationship with users of natural resources in the province.
Date: 2005-10-31
At around 14h30 this afternoon the fires in Orange Kloof flared up again and the Oryx Helicopters were recalled to assist the ground crew.
Date: 2005-10-31
"For too many years communities across South Africa have lived with the dangers of asbestos and asbestos products - we are now taking the final steps to ensure that this health hazard never again threatens our people and our communities." These were the words of Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, reacting to the decision this week by Cabinet to approve the publication of new asbestos regulations for public comment for a period of 30 days.
Date: 2005-10-31
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, today announced the formal proclamation of South Africa's 22nd National Park in Graaff-Reinet. Situated on almost 14 500 hectares of land donated by the World Wide Fund for Nature in South Africa (WWF-SA), and following a public consultation process, it has been decided that the new park will formally be called Camdeboo National Park.
Date: 2005-10-27
Great excitement was caused today (October 26, 2005) at around 14:00 when an elephant bull wandered through the KNP’s Corporate and Scientific Service office complex.
Date: 2005-10-24
On 6 April 2005 Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced, during his Budget Vote in Parliament, the appointment of a Panel of Experts to advise and report to him on both hunting in buffer zones and the canned hunting of large predators.
Date: 2005-10-24
Ministry for Environmental Affairs and Tourism: National statement by Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, at the African Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday, 23 October 2005: Forging an African Sustainable Development Approach to Climate Change
Date: 2005-10-21
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, has considered the appeals against the decision to grant authorisation, in terms of Section 22 of the Environment Conservation Act, No. 73 of 1989, for the construction of the N1/N2 Winelands Toll Highway, in the Western Cape.
Date: 2005-10-20
On the afternoon and evening of Monday 17 October 2005 Richtersveld was subjected to storms with high rainfall and strong winds. This extreme weather caused havoc in the area with communities, stock farmers and business’s suffering losses. Thankfully, as far as is currently known there was no loss of human life.
Date: 2005-10-19
Opening speech by Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, at the National Consultative Conference on Climate Change in Gauteng on 18 October 2005.
Date: 2005-10-19
"We have now started the clock ticking counting down our self-imposed deadline to scrub our skies and clean up the air in our communities." These were the words of Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, who on Friday published a notice in the Government Gazette bringing the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA) into effect on 11 September exactly four years after its first draft was conceived.
Date: 2005-10-10
A Boksburg school, the Mooiplaas Ranger Section and a bunch of balloons were linked together in the strangest of ways today (Friday, 7 October 2005). Mooiplaas Section Ranger, Mr Johann Oelofse, addressed the pupils of Laeskool Van Dyk Primary on the dangers of littering, especially in the Kruger National Park (KNP). “Litter not only looks ugly but can have disastrous effects on our natural surroundings,” he explained to 800 eager faces.
Date: 2005-10-10
I was very disappointed in the way you set up the elephant debate on Sunday night. Controversial yes, informative no! Your panel was woeful and the questions asked of them did not permit the real issues to come to the fore at all.
Date: 2005-10-08
The article by Professor Extraordinaire J D Skinner in the Sunday Independent of 2 October, together with the great diversity of viewpoints on the elephant issue put forward recently by many of our respected scientists, prompted me to write to clarify the standpoint of South African National Parks (SANParks). It is well known that debates on population control and culling have been bedevilled by confusion resulting from failure to clearly distinguish value judgements from science. Scientific opinion and the opinion of scientists are not one and the same. Unfortunately for those of us who are not always at the coal face of science, it is all too easy to assume that the opinion of scientists represents scientific opinion. It is incumbent on responsible scientists to be very clear and honest about the difference.
Date: 2005-09-09
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is running this discount and it will also be appearing in Getaway Magazine soon.
Date: 2005-09-09
Game Auction to be held in Groenkloof on Saturday, 17 September 2005 at 11:00 at SANParks Boardroom, 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Groenkloof, Pretoria.
Date: 2005-09-09
Tsitsikamma Indigenous State Forests - Timber Auction to be held on Wednesday, 28 September 2005
Date: 2005-09-06
Karoo National Park Challenge “Fun Cycle Day” - 24 September 2005
Date: 2005-09-05
During the early morning of 27 August 2005 Storms River Mouth Rest Camp was poundered by waves of about 9 Metres high.
Date: 2005-08-26
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Road Construction Department secured the distinction of winning the Vintage Category of the Armco Multiplate and Superspan Structures Awards this month.
Date: 2005-08-19
South African National Parks (SANParks) and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) signed a far-reaching Memorandum of Agreement in Skukuza, Kruger National Park today (Thursday August 18, 2005).
Date: 2005-08-17
Following the launch of the R45 Cape Town WILD Card, which provides for affordable access to the Table Mountain National Park for Capetonians, as of 1 November 2005 the Table Mountain National Park will be implementing price increases.
Date: 2005-08-17
Last week, members of the Langebaan Tourism Bureau voted which restaurant in the area was the best.
Date: 2005-08-17
The West Coast National Park is celebrating its 20th anniversary from 21 to 25 September 2005 with a host of exciting activities.
Date: 2005-08-16
Mozambique’s Parque Naçional do Limpopo, part of the 3.3-million hectare Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park along with South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park, is now open for tourists.
Date: 2005-08-15
A team comprising of various South African National Parks (SANParks) law enforcement officials and the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested four suspects shortly after an armed robbery attempt in the retail shop in Skukuza late yesterday (Sunday, 14 August 2005).
Date: 2005-07-29
Various tourism facilities in the Kruger National Park (KNP) will be upgraded and developed over the next few months, according to the KNP’s HOD for Technical Services, Mr Blake Schraader.
Date: 2005-07-29
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park, Dr Bandile Mkhize reacted with shock after hearing that a man was killed by lions after he forced entry into the Kruger National Park yesterday evening (Thursday July 28, 2005).
Date: 2005-07-27
The West Coast National Park is celebrating its 20th anniversary from 21 to 25 September with a host of exciting activities for everyone.
Honeymoon in Kruger
Date: 2005-07-21
Two enthusiastic SANParks Forum members, Bwana and Twiga, recently visited the Kruger National Park as part of their honeymoon. Read about their experiences and other topical issues on the public forum.
Date: 2005-07-21
The director of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation's World Heritage Centre in Paris, Francesco Bandarin, is currently on a two-day visit to Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site near Musina in Limpopo as a guest of South African National Parks (SANParks).
Date: 2005-07-20
The Kruger National Park’s HOD: Public Relations Mr William Mabasa today (Wednesday, 20 July 2005) came out in favour of a zero tolerance approach to law enforcement in the world famous sanctuary.
Date: 2005-07-19
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park, Dr Bandile Mkhize unveiled a plaque and renamed a Ranger Picket in memory of the late Lance Corporal Wilson Ndlovu in the Kruger National Park today (Monday July 18).
Date: 2005-07-14
Beaufort West Marathon, presented by Beaufort West Municipality in co-operation with Nike Athletic Club.
Date: 2005-07-14
The Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Executive Director, Dr Bandile Mkhize today (Thursday, July 14, 2005) presented 400 boxes of books to Education Inspectors from the 12 school circuits that surround the world famous protected area on behalf of the KNP’s People and Conservation Department.
Date: 2005-07-01
Another successful KNPark Cheetah and Wild Dog Census
Today (30 June 2005) marks the presentation of some fantastic prizes to members of the public who participated in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust's (EWT) Carnivore Conservation Group Cheetah and Wild Dog census, which ran for 7 months between October 2004 and May 2005.
Date: 2005-06-29
Twelve elephant bulls from the Addo Elephant National Park will be translocated to private game reserves this week in a bid to relieve the elephant bull pressure in the park.
Date: 2005-06-23
SANParks launches an award to honour excellence in conservation
South African National Parks (SANParks) will on Friday (24 June 2005) honour those individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to conservation in the country, during a gala function to be held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.
Date: 2005-06-14
With Youth Day and its associated long weekend rapidly approaching, Kruger National Park (KNP) management has again urged people to book their holiday in South Africa’s biggest national park, even if they are only coming in for a day visit.
Date: 2005-06-14
Launching in August 2005 - Watch this Space...
Following hot on the heels of the successful WILD Card (powered by Infinity, South Africa’s leading Loyalty and CRM Company), South African National Parks and its partners launches the WILD Visitor Card aimed at the international and local traveller to South Africa.
Date: 2005-06-08
Malelane Entrance Gate into the Kruger National Park will be closed on June 9, 2005 from 09:00 until 13:00. This is at the request of the Nkomazi Municipality, following an application by the local branch of the ANC Youth League for a march.
Date: 2005-06-08
Buses larger than 4 000kg or with more than 25 seats in the Kruger National Park (KNP) will from this month be restricted to traveling on tar roads.
The tightening up of this restriction comes into effect after the present rules applying to these vehicles – which were implemented in 1999 – were reviewed in terms of the new Biodiversity and Protected Areas Acts. In terms of these new acts, it is a statutory requirement to manage and reduce human impact and interference in a national park.
Date: 2005-06-03
South African National Parks (SANParks) is well known for its ability of shifting large animals like elephant, rhino and giraffe, but this week history was made with the translocation of two baobab trees from Letaba Main Camp to the new Giriyondo Border Post on the Mozambique border.
Although this unusual translocation wasn’t the first baobab translocation ever, it was still a challenge to SANParks because of the extreme weight of the trees themselves and their close proximity to buildings and other facilities in Letaba Main Camp.
Date: 2005-05-31
South African National Parks (SANParks) and the South African Police Services’ (SAPS) investigators are hot on the heels of a group of armed robbers that took money and valuables from visitors residing in the Mulawati Concession Area of the Kruger National Park (KNP) at around 01:00 on Saturday morning (May 28, 2005).
Date: 2005-05-30
When I was in high school, I attended a careers evening. I arrived at the nature conservation talk full of eagerness and optimism. A huge man marched in to the classroom, belt bulging with a knife and pistol, rifle slung over his shoulder. I wondered if I had mistakenly attended the military service talk.
“Good evening”, he boomed, “I am here to tell you about nature conservation. First of all, if you are a lady, forget about it.” Feeling my heart sink, I listened to the rest of his monologue as he stated that only 11% of students selected for nature conservation would be women and that they would have to “settle for education or research” (the last phrase spoken in a tone usually reserved for cleaning toilets all day, every day).
Date: 2005-05-20
The four Kruger National Park (KNP) employees accused of slaughtering at least six impalas have been summarily dismissed late yesterday afternoon (19 May 2005).
Date: 2005-05-10
At approximately 14:15 Table Mountain National Park Marine Rangers, while patrolling the Cape Point Atlantic sea-board aboard their rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB) Aonyx, responded to a red distress flare they had witnessed being fired off-shore in the direction of Oliphantsbospunt.
Date: 2005-05-10
With the support and encouragement from the Marakele Park Management, the Marakele Honorary Rangers were, for the fifth consecutive year, responsible for building and helping to manage the Marakele National Park stand at the Thabazimbi Wild Expo, which ran from 26 – 30 April 2006.
Date: 2005-05-05
During the early morning hours of 9 March 2005, a Desert- or South-western black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) was released in the Stolzhoek area of the Karoo National Park.
Date: 2005-05-03
Over the past two weeks, the National Park Service has hosted a visit to the United States by Dr. David Mabunda, chief executive (director) of South Africa National Parks (SANP), one of the world's premier park agencies.
Date: 2005-04-22
Eleven contestants will make history on Saturday the 23rd of April 2005 with the first ever extreme marathon through the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2005-04-08
Joint Media Release by Kruger National Park and Endangered Wildlife Trust.
The Kruger National Park/Endangered Wildlife Trust Carnivore Conservation Group Cheetah and Wild Dog Census has been extended until the end of April in order to give visitors more chances to not only photograph these animal species, but also to get their entries in.
Date: 2005-04-08
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park, Dr Bandile Mkhize welcomed 160 scientists and students from all over the world to a week of networking, presentations and events in Skukuza this week.
Date: 2005-04-06
The Kruger National Park’s Information Office at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) has been upgraded to offer full services, including accommodation bookings and Wild Card sales.
Date: 2005-04-04
Speaking from the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) the Minister announced both the addition of the St Croix and Bird Islands to the park, as well as the opening of the new Matyholweni Rest Camp, with local communities set to benefit directly both from the revenue generated, and from the greater influx of tourism to the expanded park.
Date: 2005-03-23
The grandson of one of the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) legendary rangers, Kim Wolhuter brought his two daughters to Skukuza to show them a bit of their proud KNP family history today (23 March 2005).
Date: 2005-03-22
In order to avoid the disappointment of arriving at a KNP Entrance Gate only to be turned away, KNP Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize has urged people to book, even if they are only coming to the Kruger National Park (KNP) for a day.
Date: 2005-03-16
Pupils from five schools in the Nkomazi area to the South of the Kruger National Park (KNP) learnt how to measure water quality as part of the KNP’s International Water Week effort yesterday (Tuesday March 16, 2005).
Date: 2005-03-11
Two orphaned black rhino calves were reintroduced to the wild today in the Addo Elephant National Park after a successful hand-raising programme of almost two years.
Date: 2005-03-11
The Karoo National Park in Beaufort West celebrated 25 years of existence with the opening of the long-awaited educational interpretive centre today.
Date: 2005-02-25
Berg & Dal Rest Camp and Conference Centre, in the Southern Region of the Kruger National Park (KNP), turned 21 years old today (Friday, 25 February 2005).
Date: 2005-02-24
A field ranger, Lance Corporal Wilson Ndlovu, was attacked and killed by an elephant while he was on normal patrol in the Stoltznek Section of the Kruger National Park yesterday morning.
Date: 2005-02-21
A HIV/Aids Awareness campaign kicked off in the Kruger National Park today (February 21, 2005) with a weeklong campaign aimed at reaching every staff member and contract worker in the 2-million hectare Park.
Date: 2005-02-16
The Kruger National Park’s Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the KNP with representatives from the Community Public Private Partnership Programme (CPPPP) and the Tourism Enterprise Programme (TEP) today (Wednesday February 16, 2005).
Date: 2005-02-14
GM South Africa has given support to the Eastern Cape conservation challenge by recently winning the tender to supply Isuzu vehicles to the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2005-02-08
The Kruger National Park will play host to the hugely popular SABC 1 gospel music programme, Gospel Gold for the next four programmes. Gospel Gold is SABC 1’s flagship Gospel Music programme that has been enjoyed by millions of television viewers for almost 12 years. Over these years, it has remained the most entertaining, trendy, uplifting and spiritual gospel programme on the small screen.
Date: 2005-02-04
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Dr Bandile Mkhize took delivery of two donated buses for its “Take Kruger to Kasie Project” today (Friday February 4, 2005). The two specially equipped Mercedes Benz Sprinter training buses have been donated by Shell South Africa via the voluntary organisation, the Honorary Rangers.
Date: 2005-02-02
In a move poised to boost the fledgling economy of the Free State province, Golden Gate Highlands National Park – already a popular domestic and international tourism destination – is set to attract even more visitors this year.
Date: 2005-02-02
Big prizes are up for grabs for members of the public who help the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Carnivore Conservation Group with a Cheetah and Wild Dog census, which will start on October 1, 2004 and end on April 30, 2005.
Date: 2005-02-01
THE importance of water preservation will once again come under the spotlight tomorrow (February 2) as World Wetlands Day is celebrated by countries globally.
Date: 2005-01-26
Our theme for World Wetlands Day 2005 is the cultural and biological diversity of wetlands and
we have used the slogan There's wealth in wetland diversity - don't lose it! to reflect this
on the enclosed poster and stickers. We hope you will find this focus and the materials useful
in your activities for WWD this coming February.
Date: 2005-01-18
Twin elephants have been born in the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. This is only the third time in the history of the park that such an event has been recorded.
Elephant cows usually give birth to one calf after a 22-month gestation period and the occurrence of twins is relatively rare. All three sets of twins have been born into the same family herd, to closely related females.
Date: 2005-01-05
South African National Parks has appointed a second female park manager to take charge of one of the organisation’s 20 national parks.
Date: 2005-01-01
Wilderness National Park celebrated SANParks week with wet paint and words of wisdom from the elders when they welcomed senior citizens and learners from surrounding communities and schools into the park to enjoy sessions of oral history and to paint a mural to commemorate SANParks Week. For many individuals from both groups it was a first time visit.
Date: 2005-01-01
Wilderness National Park celebrated SANParks week with wet paint and words of wisdom from the elders when they welcomed senior citizens and learners from surrounding communities and schools into the park to enjoy sessions of oral history and to paint a mural to commemorate SANParks Week. For many individuals from both groups it was a first time visit.
Date: 2004-12-22
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Dr Bandile Mkhize inspected the KNP’s new Emergency Call Centre today (December 22, 2004).
Date: 2004-12-22
If you are planning to spend Christmas Day, Family Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day in the Kruger National Park, you might just sneak in a booking.
Date: 2004-12-10
It has often been said that the forces of nature are never truly predictable. And this maxim was particularly true for the Kruger National Park.
Date: 2004-12-08
In order to avoid the disappointment of arriving at a KNP Entrance Gate only to be turned away, KNP Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize has urged people to book, even if they are only coming to the Kruger National Park (KNP) for a day.
Date: 2004-12-03
Garden Route National Parks
Wilderness * Knysna * Tsitsikamma
December started with the Garden Route region being expanded by an additional ± 80 000 hectares of indigenous forest and fynbos, as well as the elusive Knysna Elephants.
Date: 2004-11-30
- SA's Newest World Heritage Site
- Meet your Steering Committee representatives
- TMNP: generating income, creating jobs
Date: 2004-11-30
Newer, harsher fines will now be imposed on rule-breakers in the Kruger National Park (KNP) with effect from October 1, 2004.
Date: 2004-11-26
THE new chairperson of the board of South African National Parks Ms Cheryl Carolus began her tenure at the helm of the country’s premier conservation body in Pretoria today. This follows her appointment by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk last month after cabinet endorsed her nomination.
Date: 2004-11-26
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park, Dr Bandile Mkhize, recently received two prestigious “Mpumalanga Leaders and Achievers” Professional Management Review (PMR) awards on behalf of the institution.
Date: 2004-11-16
The Executive Director of the Kruger National Park, Dr Bandile Mkhize, officially launched the upgrade of Punda Maria Camp and Punda Maria Entrance Gate in the Far North of the Kruger National Park today (Thursday November 11, 2004). Punda Maria Camp has received seven luxury tents and a swimming pool, valued at around R2.5-million, and Punda Maria Gate has received a new building, reception area and ablution blocks, valued at R1.9-million.
Date: 2004-11-02
An adult female hippo had to be put down this afternoon in the Sundays River near Mackay Bridge by rangers of the Addo Elephant National Park.
Date: 2004-10-22
South African National Parks (SANParks) Executive Director of Conservation Services Mr Hector Mogame presented the SANParks’ proposed strategy on elephant management to delegates of the Great Elephant Indaba at Berg-en-dal in the Kruger National Park today (Thursday October 21, 2004).
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