Inventory of geoheritage sites in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Abstract

The inventory of geoheritage is important for the geoconservation, management, and public awareness of geoheritage sites. Due to the limited focus on geotourism research and inventory of geoheritage sites in Africa, it is crucial to adopt a methodology to inventory, evaluate, and prioritize them. Through this case of the Kruger National Park in South Africa, this paper contributes to new knowledge on national systematic geoheritage inventory. Fifteen geoheritage sites are evaluated according to six indicators. Findings revealed that out of 15 geoheritage sites, eight geoheritage sites have both very high geotourism and cultural value. It is suggested that projects in Africa should start by creating a list of geoheritage sites to be used as geotourism attractions, as outlined in this paper, especially in areas where geoheritage and geotourism are not yet considered. This study could serve as a basis for similar studies to be conducted in other developing countries where geotourism has not yet been recognised.