Tourists have been flocking to the Kruger National Park since Monday, taking advantage of National Parks Week, also known as Mahala Week.
This special event, which runs from September 9 to 13, offers free entry to the park for all visitors, though accommodation and certain activities are not included in the free offer.
At selected parks, the free entry extends until Sunday, 15 September.
Andries Dlamini, a security officer at the Phalaborwa Kruger Gate, confirmed that he has seen all sorts of people since the start of the event.
“I’ve seen school children, granny clubs, and international tourists coming through the gate. Everyone seems excited to visit the park, and we haven’t had any major issues,” Dlamini said.
On Thursday, Limpopo tourism MEC Tshitekere Matibe visited the park and toured the Masorini Heritage Site and the Letaba Rest Camp Elephant Museum.
Matibe’s visit was part of the #TourismThursday initiative, which Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba declared to promote tourism every Thursday in September.
This was the third Tourism Thursday event, following the launch of the Premier Hotel in Manini Village and the Explore Limpopo event at Tzaneen Country Lodge.
The next event will be at Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve in Mopani District next week.
MEC Matibe said these events encourage local and international tourists to explore the beauty of Limpopo.
“We want to make the province the top destination for domestic tourists and create jobs through the growth of tourism facilities,” Matibe said.
Pictured above: Cars lining up to visit Kruger National Park.
