4 must-see SA National Parks for SANPW

22 Aug 2019

The 2019 edition of the South African National Parks Week (SANPW) will run from 8 to 15 September. During the Parks Week, South Africans are allowed free entry to 19 of the country's national parks.

If you’re unsure of which parks to visit, here are four of the country’s must-see parks.

SANParks announces free access dates for 2019

26 Jul 2019

Bontebok National Park

Parks Week will be launched at Bontebok National Park in the Western Cape and according to SANParks, it is a place of simplistic beauty and peaceful charm. The majestic Langeberg Mountains provide a picturesque backdrop for this park of colourful riches.

Named after the bontebok that can be found in abundance at the park, Bontebok is a great place to unwind with your family for the day. Picnic at the Die Stroom, which is the name given to the banks of the Breede River.

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If you wish to extend your stay, you can pitch a tent or caravan under the stars with great views of the Breede River. Besides bontebok, grey rhebuck, red hartebeest as well as many smaller mammals can be found there.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Situated just 18 kilometres from Clarens in the eastern Free State, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is one of South Africa’s greatest unsung tourist attractions. Incorporating the colossal Maluti Mountains, the park is great for hiking, horse-riding and exploring caves.

And there is no greater way for South Africans to get in touch with their heritage than through The Basotho Cultural Village. This 18^th century-styled village will allow you to try out Sotho cuisine and the traditional sorghum beer umqombothi. You’ll also get a chance to meet the chief, his wives and the village’s traditional healer.

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Other attractions near Golden Gate Highlands National Park include white water rafting, quad and motorbike trails, paintball shooting and, when it snows, skiing.

Camdeboo National Park

Camdeboo National Park, which surrounds the historic town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, is home to one of the world’s most unique landscapes. Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, this 14,500ha park lies up against the foothills of the Sneeuberg range.

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An estimated 100,000 people visit the Valley of Desolation to marvel at the dolerite pillars that have formed there.

Augrabies Falls National Park

Stand on one of the viewpoints at the Augrabies Falls and just savour the beautiful noise from the waters crashing into the 18-kilometre abyss of the Orange River Gorge. The Khoi people called it "Aukoerebis", place of Great Noise, and for good reason.

We may not know the decibels but the roar of the water is deafening. Mountain bikes are allowed inside the park provided cyclists remain on the official roads. If you have a 4x4, hit the Wilderness Road, a 94-kilometre stretch of endless beauty.