The South Africa National Parks (SANParks) on Sunday officially launched the 13th annual campaign to grant free day access to national parks for locals from 10 to 14 September.
The launch was held at Phalaborwa at the Kruger National Park (KNP) in Limpopo.
The week gives day visitors free access to most of the 21 national parks, with special emphasis on ensuring people from local communities close to parks get to know and experience a national park.
Free entry excludes the Namaqua National Park, the Boulders Penguin Colony and the Table Mountain Cableway.
It also does not include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities.
SANParks chief executive officer Fundisile Mketeni said the free national parks week arose from the realisation that the majority of South Africans were not visiting national parks.