Tourism & Conservation

Recreational fishing in South Africa — sea, estuary or freshwater — requires a permit under the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998 and provincial conservation laws. Short-term (monthly) and annual permits are sold at Post Offices, and species, size and bag limits apply.

Short-term recreational fishing permits for South Africa's coast, estuaries and many inland waters are sold over the counter at Post Offices nationwide, with freshwater permits handled by provincial conservation agencies. A one-month permit suits holiday visitors; regulars save with the annual option.

A recreational fishing licence or permit lets you fish for your own use — not for sale. Sea and estuary angling permits are issued through the Post Office on behalf of the national department, while freshwater angling is licensed by the provincial nature conservation authority.

Hunting in South Africa is regulated province by province. You generally need a provincial hunting permit or licence for the species and area, landowner permission, and — for visiting hunters — additional permits for firearms and trophy export.

Camping outside a formal campsite — in a nature reserve, on state land, along a hiking trail or at a temporary event campsite — needs permission from the land manager: SANParks, the provincial conservation authority, the municipality or the private landowner.

Harvesting marine resources — rock lobster, abalone, oysters, mussels, seaweed, bait organisms and line fish — needs a permit under the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998. Recreational permits are sold through the Post Office; commercial and subsistence rights are allocated by the department.