NATIONAL NEWS - Although suspects in a recent incident were apprehended by the police, SANParks continues to roll out security plans for its Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma sections of the of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP). The park spans across more than 155 000 hectares.

According to the manager of the GRNP, Paddy Gordon, the open-access nature of the park could make people vulnerable but they are moving ahead with operational systems internally as well as externally. 

“In addition SANParks continues to form part of the local policing forums in each town and works very closely with police and rescue teams.”

With Easter Weekend approaching, teams are preparing to co-host the third Garden Route walking festival expected to kick off on Easter Friday. 

South Africans are encouraged to take up the offer to explore the Garden Route National Park on foot. 

There are at least 4 multiple day hiking trail (not part of the Garden Route Walking Festival- the Harkerville Coastal hiking trail rerouted after the Knysna fires, the Outeniqua hiking trail, the Otter trail and the Dolphin trail in Tsitsikamma).

There are six day routes in Wilderness, eight in Knysna and 12 in Tsitsikamma open for the upcoming Garden Route walking festival: http://walkingfestival.co.za/

A conservation fee is payable at reception areas prior to walking on trails (Wilderness, Ebb & Flow, Knysna and Tsitsikamma). 

For more information on trails, please see descriptions for each trail: www.sanparks.org or phone the reception areas: 044 8771196 (Wilderness), 044 302 5600 (Knysna) and 042 281 1607 (Tsitsikamma).

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