South African National Parks (SANParks) has integrated Google maps into the SANParks website in an effort to further enhance online visitors experience and to simplify travel to and from and within the SANParks stable.
According to Acting Head of Communications Reynold Thakhuli, “By making use of Google Maps within the website, visitors will be able to access a variety of user-friendly features and information that will make travelling easy”.
Some of the new features introduced with Google Maps include turn-by-turn directions, an overview of the activities and facilities available within a certain park/camp, direct access to the availability feature of a stipulated park/camp and a summary of the contact information for the specified park/camp.
“Guests will also be able to view travel notices/warnings applicable to relevant parks/camps/gates, view images of landscapes, accommodation and activities and go from a bird’s-eye-view to an enhanced satellite view of a specified area/location,” said Thakhuli.
This is a bold new step for SANParks as smaller camps and parks were often not catered for on Google Maps and guests struggled to find their destinations. “As this is a new feature we request the public to notify SANParks at editor@sanparks.org should there be any discrepancies with regards to the location of or direction to parks, camps, gates and tourism markers within the map,” concluded Thakhuli.
