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South African National Parks today (Wednesday, August 4) announced that accommodation in the majority of its parks would open from August 14.
Guided overland safari vehicles (OSVs) will be permitted as soon as the relevant regulations are gazetted.
Other parks are scheduled to open their accommodation as follows:
- Addo, Camdeboo, and Karoo National Parks: August 17
- Mountain Zebra National Park: August, 20
This comes after the announcement by Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane that overnight leisure accommodation would be allowed intra-provincially. Only residents from provinces where national parks are located will be accommodated. Inter-provincial visitors will be prohibited entry into the parks.
“We are in the process of ensuring that the opening of our national parks for accommodation is done under the strictest health protocols to safeguard both our staff and guests, but accommodation will not run at full capacity as we will employ a phased-in approach to opening,” said SANParks CEO, Fundisile Mketeni.
“Therefore, our loyal guests can expect limited availability of accommodation in some parks at these beginning stages of our reopening, with a gradual increase in availability in the next few weeks.”
Mketeni added that SANParks had implemented additional visitor management procedures in line with regulations and to further mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19. Overnight guests must provide proof of residence (municipal account or similar legally accepted form of verification of primary residence) at the time of booking and again when checking in.
No more than two people will be allowed per unit except for parents and children. Tour operators will be allowed to conduct guided tours in OSVs once regulations pertaining to their operations are gazetted:
All OSV operators need to be registered with SANParks before they are permitted to enter the parks.
Self-drive guests are still restricted to a 70% vehicle capacity as per the Department of
Transport’s regulations and the quota system still applies for day visitors.
The opening of visitor activities and tourist attractions in the parks will be in keeping with restrictions and aligned with the opening dates set out.
“We look forward to welcoming all our loyal guests but we appeal to our colleagues, tourists and their friends and families to travel responsibly. Enjoy the parks and please make sure you follow all health and safety protocols,” said Mketeni.
Source: tourismupdate.co.za
 announced that accommodation in the majority of its parks would open from August 14. Guided overland safari vehicles (OSVs) will be permitted as soon as the relevant regulations are gazetted. Other parks… "Pin It")