Cannabis in Mpumalanga and Kruger: What Safari Visitors Should Know

Cannabis in Mpumalanga and the Kruger area: the short answer

Visitors to Mpumalanga and Kruger often ask whether cannabis is legal in South Africa. Private use and possession by adults are covered by a 2018 Constitutional Court ruling, while selling and public use remain prohibited. This guide covers the rules and the practical side.

More on South Africa: South Africa Cannabis Law for Tourists in 2026, Travelling With Cannabis To and From South Africa, Responsible Use Tips for Visitors to South Africa.

The rules for visitors in Mpumalanga and the Kruger area

• Private use: Adults may use and possess cannabis in private and grow it for personal use. The 2018 ruling does not cover selling.
• No legal shops for visitors: Buying from street dealers is illegal, and the quality is unknown.
• Public places: Use in public places is not allowed.
• Driving: Driving under the influence is an offence.
• Travel: Never take cannabis to the airport, onto a plane or across a border.
• Age: You must be 18 or older, and venues usually check your ID or passport.

Private clubs and venues in Mpumalanga and the Kruger area

Some venues operate as private clubs or member venues, and each one sets its own membership and admission rules and may refuse a visitor. Zazapass currently lists no venue in Mpumalanga and the Kruger area. The venues Zazapass lists are in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The Zazapass Invite Pass covers only the entry fee at participating venues, if the venue accepts you, and does not guarantee admission. See the passes page for current Invite Passes.

Getting to and around Mpumalanga and Kruger

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Mbombela is the usual gateway, and Skukuza has its own airstrip inside the Kruger National Park. By road, the trip from Johannesburg takes around four to five hours.

Mpumalanga and Kruger in practice

Safari lodges, reserves and national parks set their own rules, and many do not allow cannabis. Ask the lodge before you travel, and never bring cannabis into a park or reserve on your own initiative.

Etiquette: how not to be that tourist

• Bring your passport or ID. Venues check age and identity.
• Consume only in private, in places where it is allowed. Ask your host or accommodation first.
• Do not consume in public, in vehicles or at the beach.
• Never drive after consuming. Use a ride-hailing app or a taxi.
• Follow the house rules of every venue, lodge or guest house.
• Do not buy from street sellers.

FAQ: Cannabis in Mpumalanga and the Kruger area

Is it legal to smoke weed in Mpumalanga and the Kruger area?

In private, adults are covered by the 2018 Constitutional Court ruling. Use in public places is not allowed, and neither is selling. Always follow the house rules of the venue or accommodation.

Does an Invite Pass guarantee entry to a venue?

No. The Zazapass Invite Pass covers only the entry fee at participating venues, if the venue accepts you. Each venue decides about admission and may refuse a visitor.

Can I take cannabis on a flight in South Africa?

No. Do not take cannabis through airport security or onto any flight, and never across a border.

Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction and can change. You must be 18 or older. This guide is for information only and is not legal advice.