SANParks is waiving conservation fees at all its national parks for South African citizens and permanent residents this week as part of the annual Mahala Week initiative. The concession runs from Monday 8 to Friday 12 September 2026, coinciding with Heritage Month, which spans all of September in South Africa.
Which Parks Are Included
The free entry concession covers all 21 parks administered by SANParks, including Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mountain Zebra National Park, Bontebok National Park, and the West Coast National Park. Any gate managed directly by SANParks participates in Mahala Week.
Conservation fees - the daily entry charges - are waived in full. For context, Kruger’s 2026 resident conservation fee runs to around R372 per person per day, so the saving across a multi-day visit is meaningful.
One important distinction: Mahala Week covers SANParks-administered parks only. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves - including Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park - are not part of the scheme and apply their normal rates throughout September.
Who Qualifies
The concession is open to South African citizens and permanent residents. Visitors must present valid identification at the gate - a South African ID book or smart card for citizens, a valid permanent residence permit for residents. Foreign nationals pay standard international conservation fees and are not eligible for the Mahala Week waiver.
What to Expect at the Parks
Parks tend to see increased day-visitor numbers during Mahala Week, particularly mid-week when accessibility is easier from major centres. At Kruger, the southern entry gates - Paul Kruger Gate, Crocodile Bridge, and Malelane - draw the most traffic from Gauteng and Mpumalanga visitors. Southern rest camps including Skukuza and Berg-en-Dal are the practical base for first-time visitors.
Those already booked into accommodation inside the park benefit from the waiver on the conservation fee component of their stay; accommodation tariffs remain unchanged.
September Conditions for Game Viewing
Mahala Week falls at a particularly good point in Kruger’s game-viewing calendar. September is deep in the dry season: standing water is limited to the major rivers, grass is sparse, and wildlife concentrates along watercourses. Sightings of predators - lion, leopard, and cheetah - are consistently good, and the reduced vegetation makes locating animals from a vehicle easier than at almost any other time of year.
Temperatures are rising by September but are still manageable during early morning and late afternoon drives, which are the most productive hours in any case.
For guided options that cover the park in depth, our best Kruger tours guide lists reputable operators, and our Kruger National Park overview covers what to expect across the different sections and seasons. Book safaris and tours in Kruger to secure a guided game drive during this productive September dry-season period.