Kruger National Park Free Entry Days & Discounts

Quick summary: Kruger National Park is not regularly free to enter — it charges daily conservation (entrance) fees year-round — but SANParks runs an annual SA National Parks Week (often called “Mahala Week”) during which day-entry is free at participating parks (including Kruger on the announced dates). There are also regular concessions (senior discounts, Wild Card membership) and booking/administration rules you should know before you go. (SANParks)

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1) Official free-entry events (what, when, who)

• SA National Parks Week (Mahala Week): SANParks announces one week each year when day access is free to South African citizens/residents (selected parks may extend dates). For example, SANParks opened Kruger for free day access on 22–26 September 2025 as part of SA National Parks Week. These are official SANParks initiatives and dates change year-to-year — always check SANParks’ events/news pages before planning. (SANParks)
• Who qualifies during Mahala Week: Free day entry is offered to qualifying South African citizens/residents (SANParks’ announcements specify the scope — e.g., day visitors who present valid ID). International visitors generally do not qualify for the free-entry week unless SANParks explicitly states otherwise. Always confirm the exact eligibility on the SANParks announcement for that year. (SANParks)

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2) Regular (non-free week) fees & typical concessions

• Standard conservation (entrance) fees: SANParks publishes annual conservation fees. For the 1 Nov 2025–31 Oct 2026 period Kruger’s daily conservation fees listed on SANParks were: South African citizens & residents R134 (adult) / R67 (child); SADC nationals R275 / R137; International visitors R602 / R300. These are the normal per-person daily conservation fees outside any free-entry events. (SANParks)
• Senior / pensioner discounts & concessions: SANParks offers discounted tariffs to qualifying social pensioners and residents 60+ (with conditions and blackout dates). Concession rules (what qualifies, booking name requirements and excluded dates) are explained on SANParks’ rates/discount pages. (SANParks)
• SANParks Wild Card: The Wild Card is a paid membership that gives many holders free entry to SANParks for the card’s validity period (different Wild Card types/prices apply). Wild Card holders still need to follow booking procedures and other admin rules. (SANParks)

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3) Bookings, admin fees and day-visitor rules

• Online bookings & day-visitor quotas: Kruger enforces a maximum number of day visitors; when that threshold is reached, only pre-booked overnight guests may be admitted. For popular periods (festive season, public holidays, and the free-entry week) SANParks enforces quotas and recommends/requires online bookings. (SANParks)
• Booking/administration fees: SANParks has introduced a non-refundable booking/admin fee that applies to day visitors (the fee can apply even to some Wild Card holders depending on the policy at the time). For example, recent guidance noted a R59 per adult / R29 per child non-refundable booking fee for day visitors in busy periods — check the SANParks site for the latest booking fee rules before travel. (Getaway Magazine)

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4) Practical steps to get free or discounted entry

1. Check SANParks’ official news/events & Kruger Rates page for current “SA National Parks Week” dates and eligibility. SANParks is the authoritative source for free-entry announcements. (SANParks)
2. If you plan to travel during Mahala Week or peak season: book online early — quotas apply and some parks limit gate access to pre-booked visitors. (SANParks)
3. Bring ID that proves eligibility (South African green bar-coded ID or other documents SANParks requires) if you expect to use a free-entry concession. (SANParks)
4. Consider a Wild Card if you’ll visit SANParks repeatedly in a year — it can be cost-effective for frequent visitors. Confirm whether the Wild Card still requires the booking/admin fee for day visits at the moment you travel. (SANParks)

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5) Bottom line

• Kruger is not normally free; standard daily conservation fees apply year-round for most visitors. (SANParks)
• Free day entry happens occasionally during SANParks’ SA National Parks Week (Mahala Week) and is an official SANParks programme; Kruger has participated in those free-entry weeks (dates and eligibility announced annually). (SANParks)
• Always confirm current fees, concession rules, booking requirements and specific free-entry dates on SANParks’ official website before you travel. (SANParks)