GRNP sees positive turnout
GARDEN ROUTE - The Garden Route National Park saw muchimproved participation in SANParks week this year, with a 60% increase in day visitors on last year's numbers.
South African National Parks (SANParks) celebrated its 18th SA National Parks Week from 16 to 24 September. The week saw 8 119 day visitors participating in the campaign in the Garden Route National Park, as opposed to last year's 5 068. The 2023 SANParks Week was held under the theme "Know your national parks" and afforded South Africans the opportunity to spend a day at a national park of their choice free of charge.
The Tsitsikamma Section saw a total of 3 502 day visitors, Knysna Lakes Section had 2 292 and the Wilderness Section received 2 325 people during the week. According to Garden Route National Park general manager Vuyiswa Radebe, the annual event is a celebration of the area's rich natural heritage and an opportunity for all South Africans to discover and enjoy the beauty of national parks.
"The Garden Route National Park would like to thank everyone who took the time to learn more about the parks in their neighbourhood, ensuring that the week becomes a success," she said. Despite the challenges posed by nature, including the storm surge during the opening weekend and severe rainfall toward the end of the week, the park was committed to ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all visitors. In the interest of safety, some hiking trails had to be closed temporarily due to the severe weather conditions.
Radebe thanked all who visited the parks during the week including local communities, school groups, youth groups and pensioners.
"While we faced some obstacles, we see them as opportunities for growth and improvement. We will continue working tirelessly to make Garden Route National Park an even more accessible and enjoyable destination for all," she said.
Garden Route National Park extends an open invitation to everyone to continue exploring and supporting the unique natural wonders in its care, not just during SA National Parks Week but throughout the year.