National Parks Week
No excuse not to benefit from, with weekend now part of the package
Escape the hustle and bustle and head to Garden Route National Park (GRNP) from September 8-15, when all South African citizens gain free entry thanks to a South African National Parks (SANforks) partnership with Total SA and FNB.
This year, SANParks has heeded the request from those unable to visit any of the country’s 21 national parks during the week, to include a Saturday and Sunday in SA’s 14th National Parks Week.
The indigenous forests managed within GRNP form the biggest forest complex in Southern Africa, the Garden Route boasting the westernmost distribution of numerous of these species, according to ecologist Jessica Hayes.
Including its Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wilderness sections, GRNP terrestrial vegetation is one-third indigenous forest and the balance fynbos Other national parks in the vicinity of CX Country include Addo Elephant National Pork (outside fort Elizabeth), Camdeboo National Park (on the border of Graaft’-Reinet), Karoo National fork (outside Beaufort West), and Mounlam Zebra National Park (near Cradock).
Due to the popularity of Addo Elephant Park and its proximity to fort Elizabeth, gate quotas of 700 people per day per gale will apply over the weekend.
The number of locals visiting GRNP has increased yearly since the campaign’s inception in 2006, largely due to great weather and the fact that visitors arrive in groups. The park is perfect for a remote getaway, while in close proximity to several Garden Route towns.
Explore the GRNP’s scenic picnic spots: the Wilderness section has Island Lake and Ebb & Flow Rest Camp’s day visitor areas, and Jubilee Creek in the Goudveld/ Millwood Forest. Knysna offers its Diepwalle Museum, self-drive forest excursions, and the Garden of Eden picnic spot.
In the Tsitsikamma section, the Big Tree (largest in the region) will be open to visitors, as well as the suspension bridge and hiking trails inside Storms River Rest Camp.
“We hope to see everyone taking advantage of these inexpensive getaways, especially since parks will be open for seven days from one weekend to the next,” says GRNP park manager Paddy Gordon.
Upgrade of the entrance gate to Storms River Rest Camp was completed last year, and maintenance of the road to Wilderness was also completed, so access to all three GRNP sections is clear.
These wow stats make the Garden Route so very wonderful: – Number 1 estuary in South Africa in terms of biodiversity significance – Knysna Estuary.
• Three estuaries where the Knysna seahorse can be found – Knysna. Swart-vlei and Keurbooms.
• Several GRNP estuaries, particularly the larger systems, are high conservation value ecosystems assessed according to their physical and biological attributes, habitat importance and rarity (of SA’s ±250 estuaries Swartvlei is sixth, Knysna first).
• Boasting 84.000ha forest and 44.000ha fynbos, the forest is a haven for 470 plant species.
• In excess of 22 species of amphibians, 24 types of reptile, 305 bird species and 69 mammal species have been recorded in GRNP.
Visit https://www.sanparks.org for details.