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South African National Parks (SANParks) has unveiled its Vision 2040 strategy, aiming to “reimagine the role of conservation as a catalyst of redress, economic advancement, and job creation” over the next 15 years.
The government body, which is responsible for managing our spectacular national parks, says the initiative will “promote social justice and inclusivity by guaranteeing that all communities, particularly the disadvantaged and marginalised, have fair and equitable access to opportunities and resources.”
Sounds encouraging, doesn’t it? After all, local communities are central to the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, all the way from the mighty Big Five to the unique flora that makes our ecosystems so precious. Read on to learn more about Vision 2040 and how SANParks plans to shape the next generation of national parks conservation in South Africa.
Photo: Getty
In 2026, SANParks will celebrate 100 years of managing South Africa’s national parks on behalf of its people, fauna, and flora. Today, there are 21 national parks in total, including world-famous examples like Kruger National Park and Table Mountain National Park and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
SANParks calls these “natural and cultural heritage assets” and works to develop, protect, expand, and manage them to promote responsible tourism. In turn, this ensures equitable socio-economic benefits for the South African people. Most of our national parks are found in rural areas, and over the decades, they have become key drivers of economic upliftment for local communities.
Naturally, a major focus is the protection of our remarkable biodiversity. If you’ve ever visited a national park on a self-drive safari or otherwise, you’ll know that South Africa is home to nearly 300 mammal species and nearly 1,000 bird species. Add to that our mind-blowing floral diversity, spanning over 20,000 species, and there’s really no doubt that conservation needs to be a priority.
Photo: Getty
That’s simple: it’s just so easy to visit and explore South Africa’s national parks. All but one, Meerkat National Park, are open to the public, and some, like Table Mountain National Park, exist within urban areas. This accessibility is part of the SANParks success story, and each year, hordes of local and international travellers take full advantage.
SANParks also offers excellent accommodation at most of its parks. Travellers can opt for budget-friendly camping or full-on guesthouses, all set right in the midst of spectacular wilderness. Everything is designed to get people closer to nature, with the proceeds directly contributing to conservation efforts and the upkeep of these facilities.
Take Kruger National Park, for example. It’s one of the best safari destinations in the world, but despite its wildness and huge animal population, you can navigate it in a tiny hatchback. The road infrastructure is excellent and most rest camps have fully-stocked shops and restaurants. It’s so incredibly easy to travel the full extent of the park, and over the years, this has made it one of the best self-drive wilderness areas on the planet. Of course, it’s still packed with 4×4 trails!
Put it this way: you don’t need to splash out to see the Big Five. Instead, these parks are made accessible to as many people as possible, especially those South Africans who, historically, were denied the opportunity.
Photo: Getty
SANParks is starting from the ground up, aiming to totally reimagine the future of conservation in South Africa. Beyond that, it aims to cement SANParks as a world-class organisation.
“This long-term plan envisions a nation where nature and people thrive together, creating a harmonious and sustainable future for all,” SANParks says” “Vision 2040 aims to ensure that every South African has a stake in conservation, with tangible benefits that improve livelihoods and create opportunities.”
The strategy is backed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. It’s also South Africa’s answer to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which has set 23 conservation targets for countries around the world.
Furthermore, SANParks has been working on Vision 2040 since 2022, and in the years since, it says it has consulted extensively with “communities neighbouring national parks, visitors to national parks, traditional leaders, employees, conservationists, traditional healers, women, scientists, and youth organisations”.
Core to the strategy is the rollout of something called “Mega Living Landscapes”.
“MLLs are essentially massive, interconnected areas that are set to break the myth that conservation is solely the playground of scientists and environmentalists,” SANParks explains. “Protected areas will no longer be isolated islands, but interconnected to their surrounding communities. This approach will foster co-existence, inclusivity, and sustainable development, ensuring that most South Africans participate in conservation efforts.”
Ultimately, SANParks hopes that these MLLs will become “anchors” for local development.
Photo: Getty
SANParks continues to innovate and improve our national parks network here in South Africa. As we look forward to 2040 and all the progress that comes along the way, we can help by continuing to take full advantage of these protected areas and all they offer. In our opinion, the best way to do that is to visit them and enjoy self-drive safaris.
At the end of the day, it’s an accessible way to create incredible wilderness memories! When you’re ready for your own national parks road trip, check out our wide range of rental vehicles, including everything from fuel-efficient hatchbacks to luxury SUVs and camping-equipped 4x4s.