Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Tucked in the Maluti Mountains’ foothills in the Free State province, Golden Gate Highlands National Park is like nature’s golden masterpiece, offering scenic hikes and game drives among golden sandstone cliffs and endless reddish grasslands, that get covered in a golden glow at sunset…(hence the name!) Located in between Durban and Bloemfontein, the park stretches across 11,000 hectares – ample space to meet with wildlife like springbok, zebra, eland, and the rare bearded vulture! 

Fossils/dinosaurs

Here’s a fun fact; around 200 million years ago, when South America and Africa were one big supercontinent called Gondwana, Jurassic dinosaurs roamed where Golden Gate Highlands National Park now stands. On your first visit to the area, you might laugh if someone offers you a fossilized dinosaur dropping to examine. But hold onto your hats, because there’s more to it – this park is a fossil hotspot! You can actually take guided tours or visit the local museum to see fossils like a 190-million-year-old egg from the Massospondylus dinosaur. Whether you’re exploring the park or browsing the exhibits, you’ll easily get a taste of what it’s like to be a real fossil hunter in this ancient land.

Breathtaking scenery and traditional culture

Known for its stunning views and the golden glow on its sandstone cliffs at sunset, this park is a great place for stretching your legs, breathing fresh mountain air, and letting nature refresh your spirit. Wildlife lovers can rejoice, as during game drives black wildebeest, blesbok, oribi, eland, Burchell’s zebra, and springbok can all be spotted on the grassy plains, with the rare bearded vulture soaring above. In between game drives, you can dive into the Basotho culture at the traditional village within the park.

Hiking 

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a hiker’s paradise with trails for everyone! Most trails start right near a central campground – so you can hit the trails with just a quick footbridge crossing. For a bit of a challenge, try the Brandwag Buttress Trail – two hours of hiking with a final climb using a chain rail for epic valley views! Prefer something scenic? The Echo Ravine Trail leads you to a cool curved rock formation that looks like a semi-open cave in just two hours. For a slow-paced stroll, the Boskloof and Mushroom Rock Trails offer gentle walks, with one through a valley and the other to funky mushroom-shaped rocks. 

You can also experience a bigger adventure by tackling the 11-kilometre Wodehouse Peak Trail for panoramic views, or go all out with the 28-kilometre Ribbok Hiking Trail that allows you to conquer Ribbokko, the highest point of the park at 2829 meters above sea level. And if you’re up for more, multi-day hiking tours can show you ancient caves of the San hunter-gatherers, together with their rock art!

Activities in Golden Gate Highlands National Park

• Scenic drives: Take in stunning views on the 4.2-kilometre Oribi Loop or the 6.7-kilometre Blesbok Loop, with highlights like the Vulture Feeding Project and Generaal’s Kop viewpoint.
• Horse riding: Ride through the Maluti Mountains with Gladstone Stables, which offers daily sessions at R350 per person, except on Mondays, when the horses rest.
• Explore Basotho culture: Experience the Basotho Cultural Village through a Cultural Route tour, a Herbal Trail, or a museum tour.
• Abseiling: Descend rugged cliffs at the Wilgenhof Educational Centre, guided by experts for an exhilarating adventure.

How to get there

By road: The drive to Golden Gate Highlands National Park from Johannesburg or Durban takes 4 hours, while from Bloemfontein, it’s just over 3 hours. 

By air: The nearest airport is O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. From there it’s a 4-hour drive to the park.

Climate

In Golden Gate Highlands National Park winter lasts from May to September, with daytime temperatures rarely exceeding 16°C and mornings are often around 3°C. Snow is possible, especially in June and July when temperatures drop to 0°C. From October to April, summer is milder, with temperatures ranging from 9°C in the morning to 25°C in the afternoon, accompanied by frequent thunderstorms. Rain increases from October, peaking in December through February. By March and April, temperatures cool slightly to 22°C during the day and 8°C in the morning.

Best time to visit Golden Gate Highlands National Park

The best time to visit Golden Gate Highlands National Park is from October to May. The park really comes alive with lush greenery and clear skies! April and May are particularly stunning, with poplar trees showing off their autumn colours. Wildlife is around all year, but the park’s landscapes are at their most vibrant in the wet season (November to March).

Just a heads-up, it can get busier during school holidays in December and January. If you like milder weather and fewer crowds, aim for the other summer months. The winter months are ideal for serious hiking!