Abstract
This study assesses the Kruger National Park as an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (EE), with the aim of determining the characteristics and dynamics of this ecosystem within which tourism SMEs operate. As such, this study has three main objectives: (1) to identify the opportunities and motivations driving tourism entrepreneurship within the KNP EE; (2) to examine the key challenges constraining the effectiveness of this ecosystem; and (3) to propose recommendations based on both the existing literature and insights gathered from tourism entrepreneurs operating in the KNP area. This study used a qualitative approach, conducting face-to-face and online semi-structured interviews with 14 tourism SME owners and managers around KNP, following ethical guidelines from the University of Johannesburg research committee. Data were collected through purposive and snowball sampling and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings reveal that while KNP offers significant entrepreneurial opportunities, the local EE is hindered by challenges such as government regulations, electricity shortages, high commodity prices, bureaucratic delays, COVID-19 impacts, community roadblocks, limited business promotion, and resource constraints. To address these issues, the managerial implications consisted of making recommendations drawn from literature and participants' input for policymakers, local communities near KNP, and entrepreneurs.