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Golden Gate Highlands National Park: view east Photo by Hendrik van den Berg –

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Golden Gate Highland National Park is located on the eastern side of South Africa, Free State Province. It is one of the 19 National parks managed by South Africa National Parks (SANParks).

The National Park was established in 1963 for the preservation and protection of the historic sandstone rocks that were once shelters for the Bushmen.

The original area of the park was 48km² (11,840 acres) in the foothills of Maluti Mountain Range. In 2007, it was merged with Qwa Qwa National Park and currently has a total area of 340km² (84,000 acres).

Its landscape is a mixture of sandstone cliffs, rocky outcrops, high-altitude grasslands, and shrublands. It hosts an array of biodiversity that adds character to the distinctive physical features.

For tour booking at the national park, safaribookings and SANPark.org provide tour operators who are conversant with the park. The best time to visit the national park would be the warmer months i.e October to May.

1. It Got its Name ‘Golden Gate’ in The 1800s

Brandwag (the Sentinel) in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, South Africa Photo by Zaian –

In 1875, J.N.R Van Reene and his wife were traveling to Vuurland when they came across a valley at Golden Gate dam. The valley had sandstone cliffs that he named ‘Golden Gate’ after he saw how aesthetically pleasing they looked under the setting sun’s rays.

The Brandwag rock lights up in a beautiful golden yellow colour during the sunset.

2. Golden Gate Highlands Park is The Only National Park in Free State Province

Although Free State has game reserves, Golden Gate Highlands National Park is the only National Park in the province. Gariep Dam Nature Reserve is the largest reserve in Free State.

The Caledon River is the Southern Boundary of the park as well as the border between Free State Province and Lesotho. The highest point of Free State Province, Ribbokkop at 2,829m, is found in the Golden Gate Highland Park.

3. It is Mainly Famous for Its Landscape

Golden Gate Highlands National Park, South Africa Photo By Pavel Å pindler –

Golden Gate is known more for its scenery than wildlife. Tourists who visit the park get to explore the Cathedral Cave and see the sandstone cave paintings that were done by the bushmen. The park has indigenous flowers including fire lilies, arum lily, watsonias, and red-hot pokers.

To properly appreciate the terrain and its biodiversity, one can explore the park through its trails and drives.

4. Basotho Cultural Village is Located Within Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Basotho Cultural Village – Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Jihoafrická republika Photo by Pavel Å pindler –

The Basotho Cultural Village lies on the eastern side of the park at the foot of the huge sandstone mountains. The people showcase the traditional ways of life of the Sotho. The rest camp has mimicked a combination of the Sotho Village in the 18^th century, and 16^th century to the present day.

The village houses are decorated with the unique Sotho geometric wall murals called litema. Guests get to sip the traditional Sotho beer before entering the chief’s village as a symbol of hospitality. They are also entertained by art exhibitions, traditional songs, and dances.

Bosotho Village has a curio shop that sells clay pots, woven baskets, and handmade items. Guided tours are conducted daily between 9 am and 4:30 pm.

5. There Are Numerous Trails Within Golden Gate Highlands Park

Due to its vast landscape, the park has several trails, each with its own feature, and 2 driving loops. Some of the notable trails are Oribi Loop, Wodenhouse Peak, and Golden gate Scenic Drive. Pets are not allowed on Wodehouse Peak, Echo Ravine, and Boskloof trail.

Oribi Loop is a 4.2 km secondary access trail with an asphalt/tarmac road. The trail has a 100m climb and is used as biking, hiking, and running trail. On average it takes about 13 minutes to complete the trail.

Wodehouse Peak trail is a moderately challenging 9km track that takes an average of 4 hours to complete. At the top, visitors get to enjoy the view over the Drakensberg Mountain Range.

The Golden Gate Scenic drive is a great track for birding. It is the longest track with a distance of 69.8 km and an average of 21hours to hike.

The Herbal trail takes you on a walk through the wilderness with a traditional healer who explains their medicinal value.

6. Golden Gate Offers an Activity-Packed Adventure

Canoeing Photo by cjuneau –

There are plenty of things to do within the park. Horseback riding, canoeing, and a tennis court are provided within the Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets.

Other activities include zip lining, paintball shooting, archery, fly fishing, game farms, rock art, and bike riding. Activities such as snowboarding and skiing are available during winter (March to September).

7. It Has Available Accommodation Within The Park

In case you plan on spending the night, hotel rooms, rondavels and self-catering chalets are available for accommodation. The chalets have a well-equipped kitchen.

Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets is located 11.2 miles outside Clarens. They have a spa ready to relax those muscles after a long day of hiking or bike riding.

Glen Reenen Rest Camp is divided into 2 areas, one with rondavels and family cottages while the other has a site for camping. Bookings can be done through SAParks.com. Guests can alternatively choose to get accommodation in Clarens, which is 17 km from the park.

8. Golden Gate Highlands is Home to Endangered Wildlife Species

Oribi African mammal animal Photo by Stolz Gary M, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service –

Though popular for its beautiful landscape, Golden Gate hosts an assemblage of wildlife across the 84,000-acre park. The endangered oribi antelope, found only in Africa, can be found in pairs or single along the Oribi Loop.

Other wildlife includes antelopes such as the red hartebeest, blesbok, eland, mountain reedbuck, and springbok, which are spread out through the park. The grey rhebok antelope is found on the park’s mountainous terrain.

Zebras and black wildebeest are commonly seen in the grasslands. The caracal cat is rarely seen but lives within the park.

9. The Park Has Over 200 Bird Species

The list of bird species is endless! The park is home to vultures, falcons, buzzards, and kestrels just to name a few. The southern bald ibis and the lammergeier, also known as the bearded vulture, breed on the high sandstone cliffs.

Guests enjoy bird watching as vultures feed on carcasses at the vulture restaurant. The vulture restaurant was set up to increase the population of bird species like the endangered cape vulture in the park’s ecosystem.

10. It is The Source of Paleontology Finds

In 1978, dinosaur eggs with fossilized foetal skeletons were discovered in the South African park. The eggs are assumed to have been from 220 to 195 million years ago in the Triassic period. Skeletons of dinosaurs with crocodile/bird-like features have also been found in the park.