Major price hikes coming for key South African nature reserves

Visitors to North West’s nature reserves will soon pay significantly more to enter, with entrance tariffs for South African adults increasing by as much as 332% from 1 December 2025.

The steepest hike will be at Madikwe Game Reserve, where adult entry will jump from R180 to R777, while most other reserves, including the popular Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, will see fees more than double.

In addition to higher entry fees for visitors, vehicle tariffs at North West’s nature reserves will also surge from 1 December 2025, with increases of up to 740% at several parks.

International tourists are particularly hard hit, with average tariffs increasing by over 450% for them.

The recent announcement of tariff hikes for Nature Reserves across the North West has been met with fierce opposition.

The increases have drawn criticism from some quarters, with opponents warning that the steep fees could have a negative impact on tourism in the region.

Tourism operators and guides around the Pilanesburg who spoke to Tourism Update expressed concern about the hefty price hikes, saying that this could result in some businesses losing money if they have already locked in contracts for guests at the old rates.

They are circulating an online petition, #SaveOurPark, in protest against the tariff hikes.

The North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) has, however, urged the public to support the new tariffs for 2025/26 as it unveils ambitious plans to revitalise the destination.

“These tariffs are designed to help us generate sustainable revenue, essential for protecting our beautiful parks and uplifting the local communities that depend on them,” said the NWPTB.

Jonathan Denga, Acting CEO of the NWPTB, stated that the fee increase was necessary to achieve acceptable standards.

He noted that recent reports indicate a nationwide decline in provincial nature reserves, which puts South Africa’s biodiversity at risk.

Denga said the parks desperately need attention as their roads are in a poor state, and deteriorating infrastructure, including broken fences, leads to animal escapes endangering lives, while picnic sites and ablutions are in dire need of refurbishment.

To restore the functionality and sustainability of protected areas and rehabilitate deteriorated conservation and tourism facilities, Denga said that the board implemented a turnaround plan based on a “user pays” principle.

A conservationist and former North West Provincial Director for Biodiversity Management, Denga warned that Pilanesberg faces possible closure due to unsustainable funding reliant on Treasury.

“The entity has not been as sustainable as it is now. It faces closure. That’s why you had, at the beginning of the year, people not being paid and strikes,” he said.

“Our updated tariffs for the 2025/26 season, though higher, are essential in the repositioning of the NWPTB to generate sustainable revenue to maintain and improve our reserves.”

He added that the funds will support critical anti-poaching efforts, infrastructure upgrades, and ensure that land-owning and surrounding communities finally benefit.

“Your contributions will empower us to break the viability challenge cycle and deliver real, lasting benefits for conservation and local people alike,” said Denga.

Nature Reserve tariff hikes in the North West

As of 1 December 2025, tariffs to enter the following reserves as a South African adult will be:

Nature Reserve	Entry (Current R)	Entry (New R)	% Increase	Vehicle Fee (Current R)	Vehicle Fee (New R)	% Increase
Madikwe	180	777	332%	1,925 (landing fee)	1,925 (landing fee)	0%
Molopo	40	105	163%	30	168	460%
Pilanesberg	80	168	110%	50	168	236%
Vaalkop Dam	50	105	110%	20	168	740%
Borakalalo	60	126	110%	30	168	460%
Kgaswane Mountain	50	105	110%	20	168	740%
Mafikeng	50	105	110%	30	168	460%
Botsalano	50	105	110%	40	168	320%
Molemane Eye	50	105	110%	30	168	460%
Boskop Dam	50	105	110%	20	168	740%
Wolwesspruit	50	105	110%	20	168	740%
SA Lombard	50	105	110%	10	168	1,580%
Bloemhof Dam	50	105	110%	20	168	740%
Baberspan Bird Sanctuary	60	126	110%	Free	168	—

Non-SADC international tourists are going to see particularly hefty increases:

Nature Reserve	International Adult (Current)	International Adult (New)	% Increase
Madikwe	180	1,232	584%
Molopo	40	275	588%
Pilanesberg	110	748	580%
Vaalkop Dam	50	275	450%
Borakalalo	80	275	244%
Kgaswane Mountain	50	275	450%
Mafikeng	50	275	450%
Botsalano	50	275	450%
Molemane Eye	50	275	450%
Boskop Dam	50	275	450%
Wolwesspruit	50	275	450%
SA Lombard	50	275	450%
Bloemhof Dam	50	275	450%
Baberspan Bird Sanctuary	60	275	358%

Turbulent waters

The board is no stranger to controversy, as Denga stepped in after turbulent waters.

Earlier this year, legal action was taken against former chairperson Adv. Matshidiso Mogale and other board members by the provincial legislature.

This was for failing to appear before the provincial portfolio committee a second time to account for delayed salary payments and the entity’s status.

Concerns were raised about requent and irregular appointment of acting CEOs, with six acting CEOs in six months.

According to the North West Legislature Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism, records indicate the entity lacked funds to pay salaries for February and March 2025, prompting calls for departmental intervention to ensure timely payments.

Board members’ repeated failure to account for operations and governance, coupled with cashflow challenges affecting salaries, creditors, and subsidiaries, demonstrates a lack of oversight.

Members admitted that their own appointments did not follow proper recruitment procedures.

The entity’s 2023/24 budget of R221 million, supplemented by expected revenue of R97 million, fell short due to generating only 40% of anticipated income.

They had requested advance payments to cover financial obligations, but despite plans to increase revenue through concessions, the entity remained unstable.

The Committee planed to propose a full legislative enquiry into the entity and its subsidiaries, citing concerns over operational instability and the impact on the province’s parks.