Eastern Cape Opens Nature Reserves Free for October Week

At a Glance

• Eastern Cape offers free entry to nature reserves Oct. 4–12, 2025.
• The project encourages eco-tourism, protecting the environment, and creating jobs in the area.
• Accommodation and paid activities are still the norm to help pay for conservation.

The Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency (ECPTA) has confirmed the return of its Free Access Week for 2025, giving residents and travelers a chance to explore some of South Africa’s most celebrated reserves without paying entry fees.

From Oct. 4 to 12, day visitors will enjoy complimentary entry to a wide range of nature and game reserves across the province. 

The initiative is part of the Eastern Cape’s broader effort to make eco-tourism more accessible while strengthening the link between communities and the province’s natural heritage.

By removing entry costs, ECPTA hopes more people will connect with South Africa’s landscapes, wildlife, and biodiversity.

Reserves on Offer 

Free entry will cover several ECPTA-managed sites, each offering a different outdoor experience:

Great Fish River Nature Reserve 

Thomas Baines Nature Reserve 

Tsolwana Game Reserve / Commando Drift 

Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve 

Mkhambathi and Hluleka Nature Reserves 

East London Coast Nature Reserve 

Dwesa and Silaka Nature Reserves 

Oviston, Ongeluksnek, Waters Meeting, Mpofu / Fort Fordyce 

From rugged mountains and forests to coastal trails, the reserves give visitors opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife photography.

Boost for Tourism and Local Communities 

The timing comes as South Africa’s tourism industry works to attract more domestic and international visitors.

For tour operators, guides, and small businesses, Free Access Week is a chance for tour operators, guides, and small enterprises to put together packages and show off the province’s natural beauty.

Even though the entrance fees are free, the costs for lodging, overnight stays, and other activities will stay the same.

This balance lets conservation money keep coming in while also letting more people take part.

A Shared Commitment to Conservation 

The weeklong event involves more than just tourism for the people who live nearby.

It makes people more conscious of the environment, makes them proud of the province’s natural resources, and develops a conservation ethic that will help future generations.

The approach also serves as a model for other African destinations, showing how targeted efforts can draw more visitors while preserving fragile ecosystems.

Whether it’s a family picnic, a hiking trip, or a quiet escape into the wild, the Eastern Cape’s Free Access Week offers a rare chance to enjoy South Africa’s most breathtaking reserves—at no cost.

For many, Oct. 4–12 will be the perfect time to reconnect with nature.