The 19 National Parks in South Africa: SANParks where & why visit them
Looking for more information about the national parks in South Africa? Find out how many national parks there are, where they are located, their animals and birds, and which parks are best for your interests, hobbies, and itinerary.
How many National Parks in South Africa?
There are currently 19 national parks in South Africa. These are the official national parks run by SANParks (South African National Parks). They are located in seven of South Africa's nine provinces, covering over 4 million hectares in total.
List of South African National Parks (with main attractions and activities)
After each park's name, we've listed the main attractions, animals/birds, and activities found in the national park.
National Park Name |
Attractions: Wildlife, Birds, Habitats, Highlights |
Activities & Interests |
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The park encompasses diverse landscapes, including rolling hills, bushveld, thickets, & a coastal section. Addo is the only park in the world where the Big 7 (elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, & whale) can be seen in one park, although spotting the elusive cheetah can be challenging. Wildlife: Big 7 animals (especially elephants), breeding Cape gannet population, African penguins (St. Croix Island), 5 of South Africa's 7 biomes, endemic flightless dung beetle, southern right whales, great white sharks, coastal dunes. |
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2. Agulhas National Park |
Situated on the southern tip of Africa, the park encompasses a coastal plain with a mix of fynbos vegetation, wetlands, and rocky shores with rugged cliffs along the coastline where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. There is a lighthouse and several historic shipwrecks scattered along the dramatic coastline. Wildlife: Southern right whale (June to November), Antelope like bontebok & springbok, and birds like African black oystercatchers, blue crane, and various seabirds. |
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3. Augrabies Falls National Park |
Situated along the banks of the Orange River in the Northern Cape Province. Remote, arid environment with dramatic landscapes dominated by a massive gorge, carved by the river over millions of years, & Augrabies Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls in South Africa. The park also boasts a rich variety of plant life, with succulents like quiver trees (kokerbome) being a distinctive feature. Wildlife: smaller desert-adapted creatures including antelope: springbok & klipspringers, bat-eared foxes, and reptiles like lizards and snakes. Surprising diversity of birdlife including unique species like the Namaqua Sandgrouse and Bradfield's Swift. |
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In the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains, with the Breede River bordering it to the south. Popular for its scenic beauty and peaceful charm, and part of the Cape Floristic Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional floral diversity. Fynbos is the dominant vegetation type, and during spring, the park transforms into a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers. Wildlife: As the name suggests, the park was established primarily to protect the bontebok, a medium-sized antelope with a distinctive red coat and white markings. Bontebok populations were once on the brink of extinction, but successful conservation efforts have ensured their survival. Other antelope species like springbok, Cape mountain zebra, tortoises, caracal, bat-eared fox, Cape fox, aardwolf & African clawless otter. Birds like Stanley's bustard, secretary bird, blue crane, black eagle |
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5. Camdeboo National Park |
The most dramatic feature is the Valley of Desolation, a national monument characterized by towering dolerite rock formations that have been eroded over millions of years into dramatic pillars, cliffs, and mesas. The park is also home to ancient indigenous San rock art sites. Wildlife: antelopes like springbok, blesbok, kudu, grey duiker, hartebeest, gemsbok & steenbok, wildebeest, endangered Cape mountain zebra, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, rock hyrax. Birds include black eagle, black korhaan, Ludwig's bustard, and the Cape rockjumper. |
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6. Garden Route National Park (Wilderness National Park & Tsitsikamma National Park) |
Tsitsikamma National Park features stunning 605 sq kilometres (234 sq miles) of intact indigenous forest with the Outeniqua Mountains as a scenic backdrop. Wilderness National Park has a dramatic coastline with rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, & sheltered bays, and there are several lakes and lagoons. Wildlife: Antelope species like bontebok, bushbuck, & blue duiker, primates including the Samango monkey. The park's marine protected areas are teeming with marine life including dolphins, seals & whales during the migration season (typically May-November). Birds like Knysna loerie, blue crane, and African fish eagle. |
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7. Golden Gate Highlands National Park |
Known for its dramatic sandstone cliffs bathed in a golden hue, especially during sunrise and sunset, hence the name "Golden Gate." Located in the Free State province, near the border of Lesotho, in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains with the Caledon River forming the southern boundary. Numerous caves and shelters scattered throughout the park, some containing San rock art. Surprisingly rich floral diversity. Wildlife: Antelopes like springbok, black wildebeest, eland, & blesbok, zebras, mongoose, and bat-eared fox. Birds like the rare bearded vulture, bald ibis, and black eagle |
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8. Karoo National Park |
Located in the Great Karoo region of the arid Northern Cape province, the park offers starkly beautiful landscapes. Despite the arid climate, there is a surprising diversity of plant life, and springtime sees wildflowers transform the landscape with vibrant colours. Wildlife: Antelopes like springbok, eland, red hartebeest & gemsbok; smaller mammals like black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox & springhare and birds including Verreaux's eagle, Lidwig's bustard & black korhaan |
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9. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa) |
A vast park on the border of South Africa and Botswana, at 3,6 million hectares this is one of the largest conservation areas in Africa encompassing parts of the Kalahari Desert with red sand dunes, dry riverbeds, and scattered grasslands. Wildlife: 60 species of mammals including black-maned Kalahari lions, cheetahs, leopards, meerkats, brown and spotted hyenas, honey badgers, pangolins, bat-eared foxes, antelopes like gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest, over 52 raptor species, about 92 resident bird species & migratory birds |
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South Africa's flagship national park in northeastern South Africa has a diverse range of landscapes and an incredible diversity of wildlife. It is the best place to see the Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo. Wildlife: Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino (black & white), elephant, buffalo), cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, wildebeest, crocodiles, numerous antelope species and much more. Over 500 bird species, including vultures, eagles, owls, storks, & colourful birds like lilac-breasted rollers and African jacanas. |
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11. Mapungubwe National Park |
Located in the Limpopo Province, bordering Botswana and Zimbabwe, and features historic Mapungubwe Hill, the capital of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe that thrived around 1,000 AD. The park also boasts scenic landscapes along the Limpopo River. Wildlife: Elephants, giraffes, zebras, white rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, various antelope species and over 400 bird species. |
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12. Marakele National Park |
Part of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Limpopo Province. Encompasses a transitional zone between the dry western regions and the moister eastern regions of South Africa resulting in rare fauna like the endemic Waterberg cycad and proteas usually only spotted in the Western Cape. Wildlife: world's largest colony of Cape vultures, small population of cheetahs, leopards, lions, buffalo, black rhinoceros, elephants, leopards, hyenas, antelopes including sable, klipspringer, eland & tsessebe, baboon, vervet monkey |
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13. Mokala National Park |
The newest SANPark, nestled amidst isolated dolerite hills and vast plains dominated by magnificent camel thorn trees, southwest of Kimberley, in the transition zone between Kalahari and Karoo biomes. An ecological success story where previously degraded land has been revived & wildlife re-introduced. Wildlife: Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, antelopes like roan antelope, eland, impala, kudu, red hartebeest, tsessebe, & gemsbok, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, aardvark, brown hyena, warthog, ostrich. High number of endemic birds. |
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14. Mountain Zebra National Park |
In the Eastern Cape province, from the 1930s has played an important role in saving the Cape mountain zebra from extinction. Beautiful scenery: a blend of rolling plains and craggy heights. Wildlife: Cape mountain zebra, cheetah, caracal, black rhino, antelopes like eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, gemsbok, mountain reedbuck & grey rhebok. Birds like blue crane, Denham's bustard, eagles, hawks & vultures |
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15. Namaqua National Park |
In the Namaqualand region of the Northern Cape Province, this park is famous for its springtime transformation, when millions of brightly coloured wildflowers carpet the semi-arid landscape. Wildlife: antelopes like springbok, gemsbok & steenbok, black rhino, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, aardvark, and birds like Verreaux’s eagle, Kori bustard, Namaqua sandgrouse, spotted eagle-owl, black korhaan |
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16. Table Mountain National Park |
In the heart of Cape Town stretching along the Cape Peninsula, from north of the CBD down to Cape Point, Africa's southwesternmost extremity, with Table Mountain as the centrepiece. Home to the Cape Floral Kingdom (80% fynbos & one of the world's 6 floral kingdoms), mountains, beaches, coastal cliffs, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and more Wildlife: Antelope like bontebok, grey rhebok, and klipspringer have adapted to the park's terrain, Cape mountain zebra, caracal, genet, rock hyrax, mongoose, baboons, Cape clawless otter, Cape fox, spectacular marine life including African penguins, whales – southern right & humpback, orcas, dolphins, sharks, seals. Endemic birds like the black harrier, Cape sugarbird, orange-throated longclaw |
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17. Tankwa Karoo National Park |
Rugged mountains, vast open plains, & dramatic rock formations in one of the driest and most isolated regions of South Africa. Tankwa Karoo is part of the Succulent Karoo biome, one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots for succulent plants - a remarkable variety of succulents, like aloes & vygies, come alive with colourful blooms after rare rain showers. Exceptional stargazing opportunities and many rock art sites. Wildlife: desert-adapted animals, from aardvark, tortoise, lizards, antelopes like gemsbok, red hartebeest & springbok, Cape mountain zebra,, mongoose, skinks, toktokkie beetles, and endemic Karoo bird species |
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18. West Coast National Park |
North of Cape Town on South Africa's western coastline, the park encompasses coastal dunes and wetlands. At its heart is Langebaan Lagoon, a haven for birdlife and water sports. Postberg Flower Reserve, within the park, is particularly renowned for its springtime wildflower spectacle. Wildlife: antelopes like gemsbok, bontebok & springbok, mountain zebra, and tortoises. A birders haven including migratory birds - flamingos & pelicans - ostrich, cormorants, pelicans, geese & various waders. |
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19. Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (Richtersveld National Park in South Africa) |
Remote wilderness in the Northern Cape province with dramatic mountainous desert landscapes of deep canyons, mesas, & outcrops of volcanic rock, with the Orange River cutting through. Incredible floral diversity, particularly during the spring wildflower season when the desert explodes with colour, but also home to a significant concentration of quiver trees & other endemic succulents. Numerous San rock art sites Wildlife: desert-adapted small creatures, zebras, rock hyrax, bats, hares, monkeys, baboons, porcupines, caracals, African wild cats, black-backed jackal, bat-eared and silver foxes, Cape clawless otters, honey badgers, meerkat |
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Pros & Cons of National Parks in South Africa
Each of the South African national parks offers something unique and different. They are all scenic in their own way. From indigenous forests and lofty mountains to wildlife-rich bushveld, vast arid landscapes, and dramatic coastline–the national parks have it all.
Below are some of the perks and drawbacks of visiting the national parks in South Africa.
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Cons |
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South Africa Map of National Parks (SANParks Map)
Sanparks relief map.svg by Htonl, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
With so many national parks in South Africa, where do you start? Here's a breakdown of our national parks by province with the closest major city or cities.
National Parks in South Africa by Province & Major City
Below are South Africa's national parks with the closest cities listed to help you plan your trip.
South African National Parks in the Eastern Cape Province
- Addo Elephant National Park – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- Camdeboo National Park - Graaff-Reinet or Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- Garden Route National Park - Gqeberha, George or Cape Town
- Mountain Zebra National Park - Gqeberha and East London
Addo National Park elephants by Bernard Dupont
For budget-friendly tours visiting the Eastern Cape browse our upcoming Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) tour departures.
South African National Parks in the Northern Cape Province
- Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park - Cape Town or Bloemfontein
- Augrabies Falls National Park - Bloemfontein, Johannesburg or Cape Town
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - Pretoria, Johanneburg, Bloemfontein
- Mokala National Park - Kimberley or Johannesburg
- Namaqua National Park - Cape Town
- Tankwa Karoo National Park - Cape Town or George
Namaqua National Park by Malcolm Manners
South African National Parks in the Western Cape Province
- Agulhas National Park - Cape Town
- Bontebok National Park - Cape Town or George
- Karoo National Park - George, Cape Town or Gqeberha
- Table Mountain National Park - Cape Town
- West Coast National Park - Cape Town
Table Mountain National Park by Mig Gilbert
For safaris to the Northern and Western Cape view our upcoming Cape Town tour departures
South African National Parks in the Free State Province
- Golden Gate Highlands National Park - Durban, Bloemfontein or Johannesburg
Golden Gate Highlands National Park by Bernard Dupont
South African National Parks in Limpopo & Mpumalanga Provinces
- Kruger National Park – Johannesburg or Pretoria
- Mapungubwe National Park - Johannesburg, Polokwane (Pietersburg) or Pretoria
- Marakele National Park - Johannesburg, Polokwane (Pietersburg) or Pretoria
Kruger Park buffalos by Michael Jansen
For affordable safaris in the Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces view our upcoming Johannesburg tour departures.
Best National Parks for Big 5 Safaris in South Africa
If you want to see all of the Big 5 animals (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) in a single South African national park head to:
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park safari lions
South Africa's leading national park, Kruger is the most famous and popular safari destination in the country. It's also the oldest and largest national park in the country. Kruger National Park is home to large populations of all of the Big 5 safari animals. On a guided Kruger safari you are highly likely to spot all of the Big 5 over just a few days.
Kruger is one of the 10 Best National Parks in Africa, located in the top African safari countries.
- View our affordable guided Kruger Safaris
Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park safari
Your other Big 5 Safari option out of the national parks in South Africa, is Addo Elephant Park. This is the third largest national park in the country with one of the densest elephant populations in the world. Encompassing both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, Addo hosts the Big 7 animals, which includes the Big 5 safari animals, the southern right whale, and the great white shark.
- View our budget-friendly guided Addo Elephant Park Safaris
Popular Provincial Parks in South Africa
North West Province Parks
- Pilanesberg National Park - Johannesburg or Pretoria [Big 5 Safaris]
- Madikwe Game Reserve - Johannesburg or Pretoria [Big 5 Safaris]
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Parks
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) - Durban or Johannesburg
- Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park (former Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve) - Durban or Johannesburg [Big 5 Safaris]
- Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park - Pietermaritzburg or Durban
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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park rhinos by Ryan Kilpatrick
For budget safaris in KwaZulu-Natal browse our upcoming Durban tour departures
For more in-depth information about the national parks in South Africa visit the SANParks website or talk to one of our South African travel experts.
Many of our budget South Africa Safaris travel to multiple national parks across different provinces of the country. To see what's available browse our South Africa Safari Tours.
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Landia is a nature and animal lover. This South African woman avoids crowds seeking out quiet places. She has worked in the African safari industry for over 16 years!
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