Do the Otter Trail
The world-famous five-day, four-night hike that traverses rugged coastline, indigenous forests, includes an adrenaline-filled Bloukrans River crossing, crystal clear streams and waterfalls, provides a physical challenge that leaves you breathless at the scenic beauty.
See the Big 7
Spot a lion, see the elephant herds congregate at Hapoor Dam, go on a game drive in search of the elusive leopard, try a unique vantage point and book the Addo horse trail to view the rhino and buffalo in the veld and then add the remaining two sightings to this list by going on a marine eco tour and spotting the Southern Right Whale and Great White Shark.
Stand at the southernmost tip of Africa
Take a picture at the monument that marks this unique point. Discover the legendary 'Cape of Storms'. Explore the historic Cape Agulhas lighthouse. Marvel at the shipwrecks that dot this rugged, beautiful coastline. Curl up in front of a cosy fire with the sound of the crashing waves in the background.
Stand at the edge of the Valley of Desolation
The viewpoint provide a breathtaking view of piled dolerite columns against the backdrop of the Great Karoo plains and a timeless sense of wonder at a landscape said to be the product of the erosive and volcanic forces of nature over a period of 200 million years.
Track a Cheetah
An opportunity to track the elusive Mountain Zebra National Park cheetahs on foot. Drive out with your guide to search for them. When signal from a collared cheetah is found, you will have the opportunity to get closer on foot. An unforgettable experience that will bring you up closer to nature than ever before.
Activities & Facitilies
SANParks offers a wide range of activities, including the activities described below.
4x4 Trails
|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld is only accessible in 4x4 vehicles. There are 4x4 trails available at a number of parks. Please see each parks information for more details.
Adventure Activities
External private groups often operate these, e.g. Blackwater Tubing at Tsitsikamma and the 3-in-one challenge at Augrabies. As these activities are external to SANParks, such activities may be advertised in the parks themselves.
Beach Access
Beaches are available at Addo Elephant, Agulhas, Knysna, Wilderness, Namaqua, Table Mountain, Tsitsikamma and West Coast.
Bird Watching
South Africa hosts about one tenth of the world’s bird species. The country’s national parks offer excellent venues to view these birds, and with parks located in all corners of the country, in a variety of habitats, each park has its own unique avi-spectrum.
Canoeing
A 3-day canoe trails are available at Wilderness. Casual boating and canoeing can be done here too and at Golden Gate, Tsitsikamma (Nature's Valley) and Knysna.
Fishing
Fishing permits are available at Addo Elephant, Agulhas, Bontebok, |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld and West Coast. The Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area was recently rezoned to allow fishing for 20% of the coastline by local anglers residing in the Tsitsikamma only.
Flower Season
Flower Season (usually at its height in the months of August and September) is a feature at Agulhas, Bontebok, Namaqua, West Coast and Wilderness. Flower displays are found in other parks as well. Watch these parks' sites for seasonal updates.
Game Watching
There are many wonderful and attracting features of South African National Parks, but as a generalization the biggest drawcard of our parks are the mammals.
Golf
Kruger (Skukuza) is the only SANParks venue that operates a golf course. However many of the other parks have golf courses in their near vicinity.
Guided Game Drives and Guided Walk
Park guided day and night drives are permanently available at a number of parks. Please see each parks information for more details.
Hikes, Walks & Trails
There are a variety of hiked, trails and walks across all 19 Parks.
Historical Exhibits
Historical exhibits are to be found in all of the parks
Horse Riding
Park facilitated horse riding is available in Addo Elephant, Golden Gate and Mountain Zebra.
Motorcycling
- Agulhas National Park – Motorcycle friendly
- Golden Gate Highlands National Park – Motorcycle friendly
- Karoo National Park – Motorcycles allowed after prior arrangement
- Knysna National Lake Area – Motorcycle friendly
- Namaqua National Park – Motorcycles allowed on all public roads
- Tankwa Karoo National Park – Motorcycles allowed
- Tsitsikamma National Park – Motorcycle friendly
- West Coast National Park – Motorcycle friendly
- Wilderness National Park – Motorcycles allowed on designated routes
Mountain Bike Trails
Mountain Biking is permitted in a number of parks where animals do not pose a safety threat to riders, as well as at Olifants in the KNP.
Picnic Sites
Available in all parks.
Restaurants & Caferterias
Such facilities affiliated to SANParks are available at most parks, and if not there is usually such a facility in nearby towns. |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld is perhaps the exception.
Sailing
Permitted at Knysna and Wilderness Sections of the the Garden Route National Park as well as West Coast National Park.
Scenic Landmarks
Occuring in all the parks. Table Mountain (Table Mountain NP), Augrabies Falls (Augrabies NP) and the Agulhas Lighthouse (Agulhas NP) are some of the more renowned landmarks, Valley of Desolation (Camdeboo NP).
Shopping
Shops of some size are found in virtually all the parks and if not are available in adjacent towns or urban settlements.
Snooker
Available at Golden Gate NP.
Television
Available in some parks. Some other camps and parks will put up a big screen to cover major sporting events.
Tennis
Available at Golden Gate NP.
Whale Watching
This activity can be done at Addo Elephant NP, Agulhas NP, Table Mountain NP, Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wilderness Sections of GRNP and West Coast NP.