To ensure a safe and joyful trip through our parks, kindly adhere to the following rules and regulations as stipulated by South African National Parks.
The function of SANParks is to protect, conserve and control the national parks and other protected areas assigned to it and that you are subject to the conditions set in terms of Section 86 of the National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) and the National Environmental Act: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003) for the duration of your stay in the National Park. Your attention is specifically drawn to section 64(1) (a), (b) & (c) which refers to penalties in terms of the Act.
To ensure a safe and joyful trip through our parks, kindly adhere to the rules and regulations under the Protected Areas Act. Transgression of the rules and regulations as summarized below may result in prosecution and or penalties.
Guests entering national parks will be required to sign document indemnifying SANParks against any claim, action, judgment, costs and/or expenses which may be made against SANParks.
Please ensure that acceptable means of identification are taken along when visiting parks. This does not only apply to the drivers of vehicles but could be requested of all adults that enter or visit parks.
Daily Conservation Fees are payable for every day/ night stayed in national parks. The acquisition of a Wild Card is available as an alternative to paying daily conservation fees.
SANParks have implementing a 1% Community Levy on all reservations (overnight and activity products) arriving on or after 1 June 2012. This is used to fund projects that support surrounding communities in bettering their livelihoods.
In most of the national parks there is a possible threat from dangerous animals. In such parks guests may only alight from vehicles in designated areas. No part of your body may protrude from a window or sunroof and doors should remain closed at all times.
Please take careful note of the speed limits applicable in the various areas of the parks. Note that not all roads are accessible to caravans and/ or vehicles exceeding a certain mass, type or size.
The consumption of alcohol in public areas is prohibited. Day visitors are prohibited from entering Kruger National Park with any alcohol in their vehicles.
General rules of the road apply within the parks. It is an offence to drive on South African roads without a recognized driver’s license or under the influence of alcohol. Driving or operating any vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner or in a deliberate disregard for the safety of a person, animal or property is a serious offence and can result in a summons being issued Driving a vehicle in a manner that constitutes a nuisance, disturbance, inconvenience or danger to any other person may also be subject to a summons being issued.
Gate times must be strictly adhered to. Please take note of the different times that apply at gates and also camps and lodges within the parks. Guests must plan their traveling thoroughly and make adequate provision for contingencies. After hours driving is not allowed and could result in a summons being issued.
Guests are only allowed to stay at a booked and recognized overnight facilities and must report to the relevant reception before occupying accommodation or camping.
Campsites
Camping base rates include one motorized vehicle per campsite. Additional motorized vehicles per campsite are charged at a rate equivalent to the campsite base rate per night.
For safety reasons some activities conducted in parks have age restrictions. Please take cognizance of these in order to prevent disappointments.
All accommodation and camping sites may be occupied from 14:00 on day of arrival and must be vacated by 10:00 on the day of departure.
Vehicles must remain on the designated roads at all times and off-road driving or driving on closed or no-entry roads is a serious offence. In many areas, overnight facilities are to be accessed only by booked overnight guests.
The feeding or intentional disturbance of wildlife is a serious offence. By feeding any wildlife you are potentially signing their death warrant, as they may become dependent and often become aggressive and dangerous, and thus have to be exterminated.
No plant, animal, wildlife or any natural or cultural items may be removed from the park without permission. To cut, damage, destroy or be in possession of any plant or part thereof, including dry wood or firewood is a serious offence. Importing of any specimen of an alien or listed invasive species into a national park is prohibited.
There are restrictions to the type of vehicle that may enter national parks. Please take careful note of vehicle restrictions applicable to the different roads and areas of the parks.
No pets (dogs, cats, birds or any other) may be brought into a Park. Transgressors will be dealt with firmly, issued with a summons and the pets will be destroyed. Guide dogs for visually impaired guests are one exception, but only in consultation with park management and if the owner has the necessary inoculations and permits as ordained by the state veterinary department.
Littering is prohibited. Deposit or leaving of any litter except in receptacles for that purpose will result in a fine.
All firearms/dangerous weapons of any sort, any explosive, trap or poison must be declared upon entry, and firearms will be sealed.
Poaching and killing or injuring of animals is strictly prohibited.
Starting or causing of any fire, whether it be intentional or unintentional other than in a fireplace or container purposely made available is strictly prohibited and will result in a summons being issued.
Please take note of the smoking regulations applicable in the parks.
Behaving in an offensive, improper, indecent or disorderly manner including the playing of any radio, compact disc player, music system, musical system or instrument, or in any way cause of any noise in any manner likely to disturb any species or specimen or other person is strictly prohibited and will be fined if not adhered to. The hindering, intimidating or obstructing of an authorized official in the execution if his/her duties or the performance of his/her functions will not be tolerated and is subject to a penalty. Violation, refusal or failure to obey or comply with any prohibition, request or instruction imposed by these regulations or by the management authority or authorized official will result in prosecution.
Please enlighten yourself with the rules and regulations applicable to the use of roller skates, skateboards, bicycles and motorbikes for the park/s that you will be visiting as there are restrictions in some of the parks.
Kruger and Mapungubwe National Parks fall within a malaria zone. A 24-hour malaria hotline is available on +27 (0)82 234 1800 and where relevant, please consult your medical practitioner.
The use of drones inside (and over) national parks is strictly prohibited.
Kindly familiarize yourself with the general conditions prevalent in the park you are going to visit as there may be vital information to assist with your visit.
