SANParks urges visitors to be vigilant while enjoying outdoor activities during festive season

CAPE TOWN - The South African National Parks (SANParks) is urging visitors to be extra cautious while enjoying outdoor activities during the festive season.

SANParks said raising awareness of preventative measures is part of its steps to increase safety at Table Mountain National Park.

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SANParks’s call for visitor vigilance comes after some of its parks, such as Table Mountain and Kruger National Park, were in the spotlight when several guests fell victim to criminal activities over the past year.

To counter this, SANParks said it had prioritised safety over the festive season by, among other things, forming a partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to conduct regular safety operations at its national parks. 

The organisation has also deployed more than 112 rangers with various specialities to ensure the safety of visitors.

According to SANParks, Table Mountain also has a sea, air, and mountain special operations team with a K9 unit that will focus on visitor safety and environmental crime, such as abalone poaching.

SANParks added that Table Mountain National Park is the most visited park in South Africa, attracting 4.2 million people every year for various activities.