S
Sanparks
Unclaimed Business
S
Sanparks
Unclaimed Business
18 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, Sanparks delivers a deeply mixed experience where the natural beauty and on-the-ground hospitality of its parks are repeatedly celebrated, while administrative functions draw sharp criticism. Visitors consistently praise camps such as Kruger, Karoo, Kgalagadi and Mokala for clean ablutions, attentive staff and unforgettable wildlife sightings. However, a recurring theme is severe frustration with central reservations, unanswered emails, lengthy call queues and outstanding refunds. Several guests also describe maintenance lapses at specific camps and inconsistent service standards, suggesting the brand reputation rests almost entirely on park-level experiences.
Performance(last 12 months):
Trustindex Rating
2.6TrustIndex
2.6
Review Distribution
1.8|18 Reviews
Jul '25 - Jun '26
Recent reviews (18)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperienceA
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 May 2026, 10:10
Marola tented camp in Kruger Park
Staying at our favourite camp in Kruger - Marola Tented Camp. clean beautiful, well attended by staff. One can relax looking at the river and watching game come and ago across the river. An outstanding restful experience unparalleled anywhere I have ever been in my 82 years on our planet!
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 May 2026, 10:10
Marola tented camp in Kruger Park
Staying at our favourite camp in Kruger - Marola Tented Camp. clean beautiful, well attended by staff. One can relax looking at the river and watching game come and ago across the river. An outstanding restful experience unparalleled anywhere I have ever been in my 82 years on our planet!
0
Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Apr 2026, 11:34
No refund received after early cancelation, still waiting after 7 weeks
Good day I made a booking online in January 2026 for Easter weekend 3-6 April at Mopani camp. Due to unforseen medical circumstances, I had to cancel our trip which I did online on 28 Feb 2026. I received no confirmation of cancelation or how I will be refunded. I went to the Head office at Groenkloof on 20 March 2026 (due to not getting through telephonically) , where they advised on what to do to request a refund. I did send all the requested information as needed, but have not received my refund yet up to date (today is 15 April 2026). I did receive an email on Sunday 12 April 2026 that my query has been closed, but no refund. Have been on the phone for more than 2 hours at a time with no success talking someone. This is an expensive booking, unfair to wait 7 weeks, no correspondence or assistance.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Apr 2026, 11:34
No refund received after early cancelation, still waiting after 7 weeks
Good day I made a booking online in January 2026 for Easter weekend 3-6 April at Mopani camp. Due to unforseen medical circumstances, I had to cancel our trip which I did online on 28 Feb 2026. I received no confirmation of cancelation or how I will be refunded. I went to the Head office at Groenkloof on 20 March 2026 (due to not getting through telephonically) , where they advised on what to do to request a refund. I did send all the requested information as needed, but have not received my refund yet up to date (today is 15 April 2026). I did receive an email on Sunday 12 April 2026 that my query has been closed, but no refund. Have been on the phone for more than 2 hours at a time with no success talking someone. This is an expensive booking, unfair to wait 7 weeks, no correspondence or assistance.
0
Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
31 Mar 2026, 16:20
I am Italian and not always in SA
I am Italian and not always in SA. I booked two nights in the Karoo and two in the Mountain Zebra parks. At the MZ I booked accommodation and a cheeta tracking activity in January. Everything confirmed. 4 days before going there they sent me an email informing me that all activities between the 31/3 and the 5/4 are cancelled. I guess the sudden arrival of the very unpredictable Easter holiday. At the Karoo, when I arrived I was informed that basically all the 4x4 roads are closed. I was there on purpose. Not an email, not a warning to let me change plan, nothing. On top of that, no night drive, no walk, nothing is available. But I still paid in full for this. My whole week on holiday wholly ruined. And Sanparks is missing out on a lot of profit, due to this lack of customer care, interest, organisation.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
31 Mar 2026, 16:20
I am Italian and not always in SA
I am Italian and not always in SA. I booked two nights in the Karoo and two in the Mountain Zebra parks. At the MZ I booked accommodation and a cheeta tracking activity in January. Everything confirmed. 4 days before going there they sent me an email informing me that all activities between the 31/3 and the 5/4 are cancelled. I guess the sudden arrival of the very unpredictable Easter holiday. At the Karoo, when I arrived I was informed that basically all the 4x4 roads are closed. I was there on purpose. Not an email, not a warning to let me change plan, nothing. On top of that, no night drive, no walk, nothing is available. But I still paid in full for this. My whole week on holiday wholly ruined. And Sanparks is missing out on a lot of profit, due to this lack of customer care, interest, organisation.
0
Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
19 Feb 2026, 12:35
Refund still not received. Cannot follow up or escalate.
During the Jan 2026 floods my bookings could be changed to other available camps, for which I was entitled to a refund. Since I submitted a refund request on 5Feb (with all required documents), SANParks have marked my request as resolved, but I have not received a refund. There is no response to my email or calls.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
19 Feb 2026, 12:35
Refund still not received. Cannot follow up or escalate.
During the Jan 2026 floods my bookings could be changed to other available camps, for which I was entitled to a refund. Since I submitted a refund request on 5Feb (with all required documents), SANParks have marked my request as resolved, but I have not received a refund. There is no response to my email or calls.
0
Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
11 Feb 2026, 19:58
Requesting refund
I have cancelled my reservation with SANParks around November last year. Tried to call then for my refund but you will wait for hours for to go through. They will transfer to a line that is not working. Even send several emails no response. Their services is very poor
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
11 Feb 2026, 19:58
Requesting refund
I have cancelled my reservation with SANParks around November last year. Tried to call then for my refund but you will wait for hours for to go through. They will transfer to a line that is not working. Even send several emails no response. Their services is very poor
0
Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
23 Jan 2026, 08:52
Sanparks booking system frustration!
Calling the Sanparks telephonic booking number is utterly frustrating! One has to hold on for VERY LONG periods! As example, on 21 and 22 and 23 January this year I spent a total of 3.5 hours listening to the digital voice message telling me "you are currently number 27 in the queue...." An hour later you hear "you are currently number 13 in the queue..." It is heart breaking! It seems there is only one person operating the call lines! The alternative of using the online booking system is equally frustrating with frequent gremlins and an non-user-friendly interface that sometimes lacks basic user logic. It is such a shame. We can make so much money from our National Parks (that are excellent) if our booking service is just better run!
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
23 Jan 2026, 08:52
Sanparks booking system frustration!
Calling the Sanparks telephonic booking number is utterly frustrating! One has to hold on for VERY LONG periods! As example, on 21 and 22 and 23 January this year I spent a total of 3.5 hours listening to the digital voice message telling me "you are currently number 27 in the queue...." An hour later you hear "you are currently number 13 in the queue..." It is heart breaking! It seems there is only one person operating the call lines! The alternative of using the online booking system is equally frustrating with frequent gremlins and an non-user-friendly interface that sometimes lacks basic user logic. It is such a shame. We can make so much money from our National Parks (that are excellent) if our booking service is just better run!
0
Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
13 Jan 2026, 06:06
No one works at Sanparks
For pensioner discount, one must email which is my preferred means. I wanted to book a rondavel at Ebb and Flow, Wilderness. No reply. Tried again no reply. Others here confirm that there is no communication. I think no one works there. Probably don't want people to stay so that they don't have to do any work. Just sit and wait for the next paycheck. BTW, all the rondavels were available when I wanted to book.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
13 Jan 2026, 06:06
No one works at Sanparks
For pensioner discount, one must email which is my preferred means. I wanted to book a rondavel at Ebb and Flow, Wilderness. No reply. Tried again no reply. Others here confirm that there is no communication. I think no one works there. Probably don't want people to stay so that they don't have to do any work. Just sit and wait for the next paycheck. BTW, all the rondavels were available when I wanted to book.
0
Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
12 Jan 2026, 14:33
Poor Management and Unacceptable Staff Conduct at Boulders Beach
I am lodging a formal complaint regarding an extremely poor experience at Boulders Beach on Sunday, 12 January 2026. My family and I arrived just before 9am. I dropped my wife, daughter, and mother at the entrance so they could queue while I waited for parking. My wife paid for herself, our daughter, and my mother (using her green card), and informed the clerk that I would pay separately once I parked and collected the green card. This arrangement was clearly communicated and accepted. Due to severe congestion, parking took close to two hours. When I arrived at the entrance at approximately 11am to pay, a staff member immediately and rudely informed me that the beach was closed. I was repeatedly spoken over and not allowed to explain the situation. While my wife was standing with me at the entrance, several people were visibly leaving the beach, clearly indicating poor crowd control and management. I understand that allowing one person entry while others are queuing may appear unfair. However, I was a single individual rejoining my immediate family, who had already entered as one unit. This is fundamentally different from allowing new groups entry, many of whom arrived together or were meeting others inside. Despite this, the staff member refused to apply any discretion or common sense. She stated that she is not customer service but “law enforcement,” dismissed the parking issue as “not her problem,” and showed no empathy. When informed that this would require us to remove our child from the water and leave, the response was simply, “It is what it is.” There were also inconsistencies in enforcement, as other families were still being allowed entry despite the beach being deemed full, and several visitors mentioned that the road sign indicating closure was not visible. No refund was offered on site, and we were forced to leave and find an alternative venue. I would like to clarify that the original clerk who assisted my wife appeared unable to help due to being overruled by more senior staff. I do not believe she should be penalised. However, the conduct displayed by the staff member who handled this situation reflects extremely poorly on the management of what should be a world-class tourist destination. I request feedback from management on how this incident will be addressed and what corrective measures will be implemented to prevent a recurrence. I am not asking for special treatment, only fair treatment and the application of basic common sense.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
12 Jan 2026, 14:33
Poor Management and Unacceptable Staff Conduct at Boulders Beach
I am lodging a formal complaint regarding an extremely poor experience at Boulders Beach on Sunday, 12 January 2026. My family and I arrived just before 9am. I dropped my wife, daughter, and mother at the entrance so they could queue while I waited for parking. My wife paid for herself, our daughter, and my mother (using her green card), and informed the clerk that I would pay separately once I parked and collected the green card. This arrangement was clearly communicated and accepted. Due to severe congestion, parking took close to two hours. When I arrived at the entrance at approximately 11am to pay, a staff member immediately and rudely informed me that the beach was closed. I was repeatedly spoken over and not allowed to explain the situation. While my wife was standing with me at the entrance, several people were visibly leaving the beach, clearly indicating poor crowd control and management. I understand that allowing one person entry while others are queuing may appear unfair. However, I was a single individual rejoining my immediate family, who had already entered as one unit. This is fundamentally different from allowing new groups entry, many of whom arrived together or were meeting others inside. Despite this, the staff member refused to apply any discretion or common sense. She stated that she is not customer service but “law enforcement,” dismissed the parking issue as “not her problem,” and showed no empathy. When informed that this would require us to remove our child from the water and leave, the response was simply, “It is what it is.” There were also inconsistencies in enforcement, as other families were still being allowed entry despite the beach being deemed full, and several visitors mentioned that the road sign indicating closure was not visible. No refund was offered on site, and we were forced to leave and find an alternative venue. I would like to clarify that the original clerk who assisted my wife appeared unable to help due to being overruled by more senior staff. I do not believe she should be penalised. However, the conduct displayed by the staff member who handled this situation reflects extremely poorly on the management of what should be a world-class tourist destination. I request feedback from management on how this incident will be addressed and what corrective measures will be implemented to prevent a recurrence. I am not asking for special treatment, only fair treatment and the application of basic common sense.
0
Replies (0)