Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Golden Gate Highlands National Park lies at the foot of the Maluti Mountains in the north eastern Free State.

After several boundary changes, the park currently measures 11 600 hectares and consists of highland habitat, sheltering black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbok and Burchell's zebra. Birds of note include the rare bearded vulture (lammergeier) and the bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs.

It is currently the only park that protects the grassland biome. Golden Gate is situated in one of the most important Water Catchment Areas in South Africa and that more than 50% of the water supply of South Africa comes from this area.

Golden Gate is part of one of South Africa’s Transfrontier Conservation Areas, the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Project.

 

Five things to see and do

 

• Take a museum tour – exhibits depict the architecture and life style of the Basotho people from as early as the 16th century to the present day. 
• Walk a wilderness trail with the village traditional healer. Discover some of the ancient medicinal herbs and visit caves to view San rock art.  
• Get sporty – activities in the park include horse-riding, canoeing, abseiling, hiking, swimming and games. 
• Check out sweeping vistas from Zuluhoek lookout point, Generaalskop viewpoint, Oribi basin and Drakensberg view. 
• Hold a wedding, christening or conference in the park.

 

Accommodation

From chalets, cottages and rondavels to mountain retreats, this park has much accommodation on offer. CLICK HERE to view options.

 

Information from the SANParks Website 

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