Visit your local parks for free

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

North West MEC for Tourism Desbo Mohono has urged residents in the province to take advantage of the Parks Mahala Week to explore their own province. 

During South African Parks Week, which runs from 11 – 15 September, local parks will be open for free to all South Africans. 

Mohono said this is an opportunity to drive domestic tourism in the province and residents should take full advantage of Open Parks Week.

“During the month of Tourism, it is important to highlight the significance of domestic tourism in the province and more so the impact that it has on the growth of the economy.

“Domestic tourism plays a critical role in creating a more transformed, inclusive and sustainable tourism economy,” Mohono said.

She encouraged people to go out in their numbers to enjoy the unique wilderness experience the province has to offer. 

“People can go in groups, as families and friends, and schools need to make provision for learners to visit the parks because there is a lot to learn about the nature reserves we have, the different kinds of animal species and most importantly, the rich history that forms a great part of our province today.

“We want locals to visit and get to know the province before they can go out to explore other places through the Shapa Rando campaign. We as a department aim to cultivate that culture,” Mohono said.

Residents are reminded to have their South African identity documents or cards to have access to the parks.

Parks to visit during Parks Mahala Week are the Barberspan Bird Sanctuary, Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve, Borakalalo National Park, Boskop Dam Nature Reserve and Botsalano Nature Reserve.

The parks also include Highveld Nature Reserve, Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, Mafikeng Nature Reserve, Molemane Eye Nature Reserve, Molopo Game Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park, SA Lombard Nature Reserve, Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve and Wolwespruit Nature Reserve. – SAnews.gov.za