Theprotected areas of South Africa includenational parks and marine protected areas managed by thenational government , publicnature reserves managed byprovincial andlocal governments , and private nature reserves managed by private landowners. Most protected areas are intended for theconservation of flora and fauna . National parks are maintained bySouth African National Parks (SANParks ).[ 1] A number of national parks have been incorporated intransfrontier conservation areas .
Protected areas may also be protected for their value and importance as historical, cultural heritage or scientific sites. More information on these can be found in thelist of heritage sites in South Africa .
Special Nature Reserves [ edit ] Special nature reserves are highly protected areas from which all people and human activities are excluded, except for conservation and scientific research. ThePrince Edward Islands , which are South African territories in the Southern Ocean, have been declared as a special nature reserve.[ 2] [ 3]
The following are thenational parks of South Africa:[ 4]
Transfrontier conservation areas [ edit ] South Africa is involved in the followingtransfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs), also known as "peace parks".
TheLubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area , involving South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland, is planned to be formed from theiSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Nsubane Pongola, Songimvelo-Malolotja and Usuthu-Tembe-Futi TFCAs.
Marine Protected Areas [ edit ]
Marine protected areas of South Africa
[ 5] [ 6] There are 30 designated Ramsar sites in South Africa:
Barberspan Berg Estuary – River in the Western Cape, South AfricaBlesbokspruit – River in South AfricaBot - Kleinmond Estuarine System – Section of the Bot-Kleinmond Estuarine SystemDassen Island Nature Reserve – Ramsar site island in South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets De Berg Nature Reserve De Hoop Vlei – Nature reserve in the Western Cape, South AfricaDe Mond – Nature reserve in Western Cape, South AfricaDyer Island Nature Reserve Complex – Protected islets off the coast of Gansbaai, South AfricaFalse Bay Nature Reserve Ingula Nature Reserve Kgaswane Mountain Reserve – Ramsar site reserve within the Magaliesberg Biosphere, North West, South AfricaKosi Bay Lake Sibhayi – Lake in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Langebaan Lagoon – Marine conservation area in the Langebaan lagoon in the Western Cape province of South AfricaMakuleke Wetlands Middelpunt Nature Reserve Natal Drakensberg Park – Part of a world heritage site in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Ndumo Game Reserve – South African game reserve in MaputalandNtsikeni Nature Reserve – South African wetlands areaNylsvley Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Limpopo Province, South AfricaOrange River Mouth – Major river in southern AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Prince Edward Islands – Two small subantarctic islands belonging to South AfricaSeekoeivlei Nature Reserve – Wetland reserve in the Free State, South AfricaSt Lucia System – South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km of coastlinePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Turtle Beaches / Coral Reefs of Tongaland – Marine conservation area in northern kwaZulu-Natal in South AfricaVerloren Valei Nature Reserve – Protected area of South AfricaVerlorenvlei – River in the Western Cape, South AfricaWilderness Lakes uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve – Protected Ramsar wetland in KZN, South AfricaWorld Heritage Sites [ edit ] World heritage sites in South Africa are protected by the World Heritage Convention Act (Act 49 of 1999). These include:
FossilHominid sites and environs of:Sterkfontein – Archaeological site in Gauteng, South AfricaSwartkrans – Fossil-bearing cave in South AfricaKromdraai – Protected conservation park in South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Baviaanskloof Wilderness Areas – Conservation area in Eastern Cape, South AfricaCape Floral Region – Smallest of the six recognised floral kingdoms of the worldPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Protected AreasiSimangaliso Wetland Park – South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km of coastlineMapungubwe – Ancient kingdom in the Limpopo-Shashe Basin, northern South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Cultural LandscapeRichtersveld – Desert in South Africa Cultural and Botanical LandscapeRobben Island – Island in Table Bay, South AfricauKhahlamba/Drakensberg – Mountain range in South Africa Park Vredefort Dome – Largest verified impact structure on EarthPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Durban Botanic Gardens – Africa's oldest surviving botanical gardens, in South AfricaFree State National Botanical Garden – National Botanical Garden just outside Bloemfontein, South AfricaGarden Route Botanical Garden – Botanical Garden in George, Western CapeHantam National Botanical Garden – Botanical Garden just outside Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape, South AfricaHarold Porter National Botanical Garden – Conservation area at Betty's Bay in the Western Cape, South AfricaJohannesburg Botanical Garden – Botanical garden in Emmarentia, Johannesburg, South AfricaKaroo Desert National Botanical Garden – Botanical garden focused on succulents and other plants of arid regionsKirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – Botanical garden at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape TownKwelera National Botanical Garden – National botanical garden in the Eastern CapePietermaritzburg National Botanical Garden – Botanical garden in Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaLowveld National Botanical Garden – Botanical garden near Mbombela in Mpumalanga, South AfricaManie van der Schijff Botanical Garden – Botanical garden in Pretoria, South AfricaNorth-West University Botanical Garden – Botanical Garden on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West UniversityPretoria National Botanical Garden – Garden in eastern Pretoria, GautengStellenbosch University Botanical Garden – Oldest university botanical garden in South AfricaUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal Botanical Garden – Botanical garden in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-NatalWalter Sisulu National Botanical Garden – Botanical reserve in Roodepoort, South AfricaUNESCO Biosphere Reserves of South Africa [ edit ] National Parks situated in the Eastern Cape [ edit ] Mega Parks in the making, predominantly in the Eastern Cape[ edit ] Parks Managed by Eastern Cape Parks [ edit ] Bridle Drift Dam Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in the Eastern Cape, South AfricaCommando Drift Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Eastern Cape Province, South AfricaDwesa Nature Reserve , also known as Dwesa-Cwebe Provincial Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in the Eastern Cape Province, South AfricaEast London Coast Nature Reserve – Protected area in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (consists of 12 smaller reserves)Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Eastern Cape Province, South AfricaGreat Fish River Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Eastern Cape Province, South AfricaGreat Kei Nature Reserve Hluleka Nature Reserve , also known as Hluleka Provincial Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Eastern Cape Province, South AfricaMkhambathi Nature Reserve , also known as Mkambati – Coastal nature reserve at Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape, South AfricaMpofu Nature Reserve , also known as Mpofu Provincial Game Reserve – Nature reserve in the Amatole district of the Eastern Cape Province, South AfricaOviston Nature Reserve – Protected area in the Eastern Cape Province, South AfricaPotters Pass Nature Reserve – Coastal reserve in the Eastern CapeQuenera Nature Reserve – Riverine protected area in the Eastern CapeShamwari Game Reserve – Game reserve near Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South AfricaSilaka Nature Reserve , also known as Silaka Provincial Wilderness Reserve – Nature reserve in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, near Port St JohnsThomas Baines Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Eastern Cape, South Africa, near GrahamstownTsolwana Nature Reserve – South African protected area in Eastern CapeWaters Meeting Nature Reserve – Forest reserve in the Eastern Cape, South AfricaNatural Heritage Sites [ edit ] Private and Other Parks [ edit ] World Heritage Sites [ edit ] Private and Other Parks [ edit ] Caledon Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Free State, South Africa around theWelbedacht Dam .Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve Gariep Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in South Africa formerly known asHendrik Verwoerd Dam Nature Reserve , only on theFree State side of theGariep Dam , the park on theEastern Cape side of the dam is called theOviston Nature Reserve .Kalkfontein Nature Reserve around theKalkfontein Dam .Koppies Dam Nature Reserve – Nature Reserve in the Free State, South AfricaLaohu Valley Reserve – National reserve in South africaMaria Moroka Nature Reserve Paul Saunders Nature Reserve Rolfontein Nature Reserve around theVanderkloof Dam .Rustfontein Dam Nature Reserve Sandveld Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in South Africa around theBloemhof Dam (Free State ) side only, the park on theNorth West is called theBloemhof Dam Nature Reserve .Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve – Wetland reserve in the Free State, South AfricaSneeuwberg Protected Environment near Seekoeivlei Nature ReserveSterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in West State, South Africa around theSterkfontein Dam .Soetdoring Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Free State, South Africa around theKrugersdrift Dam .Tussen-die- Riviere Nature Reserve , also at theGariep Dam , on the other side of theOrange River is theOviston Nature Reserve , Eastern Cape.Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve around theAllemanskraal Dam .Other parks and private reserves [ edit ] Bishop Bird, Rooihuiskraal, Centuion
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife [ edit ] iSimangaliso Wetland Park – South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning 280 km of coastline previously known as Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, includingCape Vidal Game Reserve ,False Bay Park – Ramsar wetland reserve in north Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South Africa,Kosi Bay Nature Reserve ,Kosi Bay (the town is not part of the park)Lake Eteza Nature Reserve ,Lake Sibhayi – Lake in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets ,Mapelane Nature Reserve ,Maputaland Marine Protected Area , also known as Maputaland Marine Reserve – Marine conservation area in northern kwaZulu-Natal in South AfricaMfabeni ,Ozabeni ,St Lucia Game Reserve ,St Lucia Marine Reserve ,St Lucia Marine Sanctuary ,Sodwana Bay National Park – National park in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,Tewate Wilderness Area andUMkhuze Game Reserve , also known as Mkuze Game Reserve – Game reserve in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Chelmsford Nature Reserve , also known as Chelmsford Dam Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaHluhluwe–Imfolozi Park , also known as Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve – Nature reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaIthala Game Reserve , also known as Itala Game Reserve – Game park in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaKrantzkloof Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Kloof, KwaZulu-NatalMidmar Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaNdumo Game Reserve – South African game reserve in MaputalandTembe Elephant Park – Game reserve in Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaOribi Gorge Nature Reserve – Park in the Oribi Gorge, in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaSpioenkop Dam Nature Reserve – Reserved area in South AfricaTembe Elephant Park – Game reserve in Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaUmtamvuna Nature Reserve – Coastal nature reserve in South AfricauKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park – Part of a world heritage site in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaPrivate and Other Parks [ edit ] Albert Falls Game Reserve , also known as Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve – Game reserve in South AfricaAliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area – Marine conservation area at Aliwal Shoal off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaAmatikuku Nature Reserve AmaZulu Game Reserve Athole Natural Reserve Beachwood Mangroves Natural Reserve Bonamanzi Game Park Coleford Nature Reserve Craigie Burn Nature Reserve , also known as Craigie Burn Dam Nature ReserveDlinza Forest Nature Reserve – Protected area in South Africa, also seeDhlinza Forest eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park – Wildlife park and historic place in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaEnseleni Nature Reserve Falaza Game Park Himeville Nature Reserve Hlatikulu Nature Reserve Impendle Nature Reserve Iphithi Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaIqxalingenwa Nature Reserve Karkloof Nature Reserve Makasa Nature Reserve Mount Currie Nature Reserve Mtsikeni Wildlife Nature Reserve Ophathe Nature Reserve Paardeplaats Nature Reserve Phinda Resource Reserve – Private game reserve in KwaZulu-NatalPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Poccolan (Robinson's) Bush Nature Reserve Pongola Bush Nature Reserve Pongolapoort Nature Reserve Qudeni Nature Reserve Richards Bay Game Reserve , also known as Richards Bay Nature ReserveShongweni Game Reserve Sileza Nature Reserve Sodwana Game Reserve Springside Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaUbombo Mountain Nature Reserve Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in South AfricaUmlalazi Nature Reserve – Coastal nature reserve in north Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South AfricaVernon Crookes Nature Reserve Vryheid Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve Weenen Game Reserve , also known as Weenen Provincial Nature ReserveNatural Heritage Sites [ edit ] Private and Other Parks [ edit ] Associated Private Nature Reserves in theGreater Kruger National Park Atherstone Nature Reserve – Reserve in Limpopo province, South AfricaBen Alberts Nature Reserve – Protected area in Limpopo, South AfricaBen Lavin Nature Reserve – Protected area in Limpopo, South AfricaBlouberg Nature Reserve – South African nature reserveBlyde-Olifants Conservancy – Game farm groupD'nyala Nature Reserve Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve Entabeni Game Reserve – Private reserve in Limpopo, South AfricaHanglip Reserve – Mountain in Limpopo, South AfricaHans Merensky Wilderness – Nature reserve in South AfricaKaingo Private Game Reserve Kololo Game Reserve – Biosphere reserve in South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Langjan Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Limpopo, South AfricaLapalala Game Reserve – Conservation area in South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Luvhondo Private Nature Reserve Mabalingwe Game Reserve – Protected area in Limpopo, South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Mabula Game Reserve – Private game reserve in Limpopo, South AfricaMakuleke – Northernmost section of Kruger National Park, South Africa region, Kruger NPMakalali Conservancy Makapansgat Valley – Archaeological and palaeontological site in South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Makuya Nature Reserve Mapesu Private Game Reserve Masebe Nature Reserve Matshakatini Nature Reserve – Military base in Limpopo, South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Modjadji Nature Reserve – Cycad nature reserve in LimpopoMohlabetsi Conservancy Mokolo Dam Nature Reserve – Protected area in Limpopo, South AfricaMusina Nature Reserve Mwanedi Game Reserve Ndzalama Reserve , also known as Ndzalama Wildlife Reserve – Limpopo province, South AfricaNylsvley Conservancy – Nature reserve in Limpopo Province, South AfricaNwanedi Game Reserve – Nature reserve in South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Percy Fyfe Conservancy Philip Herd Nature Reserve Polokwane Game Reserve Rust De Winter Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in South AfricaSchuinsdraai Nature Reserve Selati Game Reserve Soutpansberg Conservancy Touchstone Game Reserve Tshukudu Private Game Reserve – Family-owned game reserve in South AfricaUmhlametsi Game Reserve Welgevonden Game Reserve Wolkberg Wilderness Area – Protected area in Limpopo, South AfricaWonderkop Nature Reserve Private and Other Parks [ edit ] Private and Other Parks [ edit ] Private and Other Parks [ edit ] Garden Route and Little Karoo [ edit ] Private and other Reserves [ edit ] Akkeren Dam Nature Reserve Anrewsfield Private Nature Reserve Annet Private Nature Reserve Annex Arch Rock Private Nature Reserve Aquila Private Game Reserve Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve – Historic estate in the Western Cape, South AfricaBabilonstoring Nature Reserve Banghoek Private Nature Reserve Basjanskloof Private Nature Reserve Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve – Protected area in Eastern Cape, South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets for the rest seeEastern Cape .Ben Etive Nature Reserve Blouberg Nature Reserve – South African nature reserveBoosmansbos Nature Reserve Caledon Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Free State, South AfricaCeres Mountain Fynbos Nature Reserve Dassieshoek Nature Reserve Doringriver Nature Reserve Drie Kuilen Private Nature Reserve Duiwenhoksriviermond Private Nature Reserve Dyer Island Nature Reserve Complex – Protected islets off the coast of Gansbaai, South AfricaElim Private Nature Reserve Eyerpoort Private Nature Reserve Fonteintjiesberg Nature Reserve Gamtoos River Mouth Nature Reserve Gondwana Game Reserve – Game reserve in the Western Cape, South AfricaGoukamma Nature Reserve Gouriqua Kernkor Private Nature Reserve Greyton Nature Reserve Groenlandberg Nature Reserve Groote Kapelfontein Private Nature Reserve Groot Swartberg Nature Reserve Hasekraal Private Nature Reserve Hoek-van-die-Berg Private Nature Reserve Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve – Mountain range in the Western Cape, South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Inverdoorn Private Nature Reserve Kaplip Private Nature Reserve Kareedouw Nature Reserve Keurboomsrivier Nature Reserve Kleinmond Coastal and Mountain Nature Reserve Klipfontein Dam Private Nature Reserve Koeberg Nature Reserve – Nature reserve surrounding Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, South AfricaHexberg Nature Reserve Hopefield Private Nature Reserve Houwhoek Nature Reserve , including the Lebenon State ForestLadismith Klein Karoo Nature Reserve Lourens River Protected Natural Environment – Area along the Lourens River in Helderberg, South AfricaLutzville Nature Reserve Maanschynkop Nature Reserve Marloth Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in South AfricaMatjiesfontein Nature Reserve Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve Moedverloren Nature Reserve Montagu Mountain Nature Reserve Mount Rochelle Nature Reserve Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve Quoin Point Nature Reserve Riverland Nature Reserve Riviersonderend Nature Reserve Robberg Nature Reserve – Conservation area at Plettenberg Bay, South AfricaRooiberg Nature Reserve Rooikrans Private Nature Reserve Ruiterbos Nature Reserve Salmonsdam Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in the Overberg region of the Western Cape in South AfricaSas Saldanha Nature Reserve Skuilkrans Private Nature Reserve Steenbokkie Private Nature Reserve Susterdal Private Nature Reserve Swartberg East Nature Reserve Swartkops Valley Nature Reserve Theewaters Nature Reserve Towerkop Nature Reserve Thaba Manzi Game Farm Twistniet Nature Reserve Tygerberg Nature Reserve – Nature reserve in Cape Town, South AfricaUintjieskraal Private Nature Reserve Vaalkloof Private Nature Reserve Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve Warmwaterberg Nature Reserve Witfontein Nature Reserve Wittebrug Nature Reserve , also known as Mostertshoek ForestWitzenberg Nature Reserve Natural Heritage Sites [ edit ] Mountain Catchment Areas [ edit ] Hawequas Mountain Catchment AreaKammanassie Mountain Catchment Area Klein Swartberg – Mountain range in Western Cape, South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Mountain Catchment AreaKoue Bokkeveld – Mountain range in Western Cape, South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Mountain Catchment AreaLangeberg East Mountain Catchment AreaLangeberg West Mountain Catchment AreaMatroosberg – Second tallest mountain in the Western Cape, South Africa Mountain Catchment AreaSwartberg – Mountain range in Western Cape, South Africa East Mountain Catchment AreaWinterhoek – Mountain range in the Western Cape region of South AfricaPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Mountain Catchment Area
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