SANParks

What is World Ranger Day? Observed annually on 31 July, World Ranger Day honours rangers who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty while celebrating the important work rangers do to protect our natural and cultural heritage. As we count down to World Ranger Day 2026, join us in celebrating the dedication of SANParks Rangers who help conserve biodiversity and protect our national parks. What does a ranger mean to you? Share your thoughts using #WhatDoesARangerMeanToMe. #WorldRangerDay2026 #SANParksRangers #WhatDoesARangerMeanToMe

DID YOU KNOW: Red-billed oxpeckers were successfully reintroduced to #MountainZebraNationalPark in 2010. 40 birds were flown in and they now thrive, frequently seen riding on Cape mountain zebras, buffalo and kudu to feed on parasites.📷Sandri Lia Michau #LiveYourWild @SANParks

Fire Incident at Skukuza Warehouse – Kruger National Park A fire occurred at a storage warehouse in Skukuza, Kruger National Park, during the late hours of Saturday, 18 July 2026. The warehouse in question is situated a considerable distance from all tourism accommodation and administrative offices. As such, there was no immediate risk to guests or core operational facilities, and no injuries have been reported: shorturl.at/osXU7

Sunset views from the lookout deck in #CamdebooNationalPark's Rest Camp are just something else... 📷Annabelle Burgess #LiveYourWild #WildBackYard @SANParks

Mount Taishan and SANParks Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement On 17 July 2026, Mount Taishan and South African National Parks (SANParks), with the support of the Western Cape Government and the Government of Shandong Province, signed a Cooperation Agreement (CA) that marks an important milestone in strengthening international cooperation on conservation and sustainable development. Building on the longstanding partnership between the Western Cape Government and Shandong Province, the CA provides a framework for collaboration in biodiversity conservation, protected area management, sustainable tourism, environmental education, climate change adaptation, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise: shorturl.at/rX86w

Security making sure no one enters where they're not supposed to in #AddoElephantNationalPark 🦁📷Jessica Foskett #LiveYourWild #WildBackYard @SANParks

In the spirit of Nelson Mandela, SANParks encourages all South Africans to take action, uplift communities and help build a more equal and just society. #MandelaDay #MandelaDay2026 #ItsInYourHands #NelsonMandelaDay #67Minutes

Details relating to recent incident in Deer Park, Table Mountain National Park In light of two incidents in the vicinity of Deer Park in Table Mountain National Park, SANParks increased visibility in the area. Furthermore, following a preliminary investigation by SANParks, together with information obtained by South African Police Service (SAPS) related to the incident in the area on 8 July 2026, it was established that the victim sustained cut wounds to his arm and twisted his ankle because of a struggle during the attack. SANParks is keeping track of developments in this case and offering required support to SAPS: shorturl.at/Mxq8w

📷Cambria Blanton - "Day 6 of South Africa. We spent all day touring #AddoElephantNationalPark with Uncuthu Tours! Siseko allowed me to stop and photograph every creature we saw." #LiveYourWild #WildBackYard @SANParks

#KarooNationalPark's Fossil Trail overlooking the rest camp towards the Nuweveld Mountains. 📷Jens Friis #LiveYourWild #WildBackYard @SANParks

DID YOU KNOW: Springboks fight for dominance, access to mates and territory. The clashes can become so intense that their horns get inextricably bound together, occasionally resulting in death. 📷Ebb & Flow Glengariff #MountainZebraNationalPark #LiveYourWild @SANParks

Classic #AddoElephantNationalPark 🐘📷 Jaco Roux #LiveYourWild #WildBackYard @SANParks

#KarooNationalPark's looking blooming good! 🌺🌻🌾🌼📷Rosemary Scheepers #LiveYourWild #WildBackYard @SANParks

📷Pete Leyland - "#CheetahTracking is always a highlight! We were fortunate to spend time with CJ and her five almost adult offspring. They were very sleepy and enjoyed being sprawled out on top of each other in the winter sunshine." #MountainZebraNationalPark @SANParks

Temporary Full Closure of the Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge From 20 to 31 July 2026. Access to the Suspension Bridge in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park will be temporarily closed from 20 July to 31 July 2026 to complete the final phase of refurbishment work. To enable the contractor to complete the remaining work, the suspension bridge and access to all three suspension bridges will not be accessible during this period. This temporary full closure is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors and construction personnel while the final refurbishment activities are carried out: shorturl.at/XS5HC

Did you know? 🐗 Bushpigs are mostly nocturnal, so spotting one rooting through the undergrowth during daylight hours is a rare and rewarding sight. This bushpig, photographed in Addo Elephant National Park, showcases the species' distinctive shaggy grey-and-white mane that runs from its ears to its rump. When alert or displaying, these bristles stand upright, making the animal appear even larger and more formidable. __ 🎥 Anne Laing📍 #AddoElephantNationalPark #LiveYourWild #WildBackyard #bushpig #wildlife

Did you know? 🐾 Once African wild dog pups become mobile but are still too young to keep up with the pack, the adults stop using a fixed den. Instead, they move the pups between a series of temporary "rendezvous sites", relocating them periodically until they are strong enough to travel with the pack full-time. This strategy helps protect the pups while allowing the pack to continue hunting and ranging across their territory. __ 🎥 Martina Diebel📍 #KrugerNationalPark #LiveYourWild #WildBackyard #africanwilddog #wildlife

Somewhere in Kruger, an old Leadwood tree carries a mark that has puzzled historians for over a century. Carved into its bark is a Portuguese Cross, believed to have been made by Diocleciano Fernandes das Neves, a trader and hunter who moved through the interior during the 1850s and 60s accompanied by over 200 porters and 20 heavily armed elephant hunters. The cross may also be linked to one of Joao Albasini's Portuguese mail runners, adding another layer of mystery to its origins. #KNP100 #Kruger100 #Next100 #KrugerCentenary #DidYouKnow #OurHeritageOurFuture #SANParks #AfricanHeritage

"From zebras and antelope to an incredible variety of birdlife, every turn revealed another natural wonder. Days like these are a powerful reminder of the beauty, drama and diversity of South Africa's wild places." - 📷 Ebb & Flow Glengariff #MountainZebraNationalPark @SANParks

#ValleyOfDesolation #CamdebooNationalPark #LiveYourWild #WildBackYard @SANParks 📹 Sharon Louw