Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Golden Gate Highlands National Park can be found in the Free State province, a stone’s throw from the picturesque tourist hamlet of Clarens. Famous for its ancient sandstone cliff formations, Golden Gate National Park is a quiet haven for wildlife and visitors alike.

A self-drive through the park is an opportunity to see black wildebeest, red hartebeest and blesbok; but there are also smaller, less renowned antelope. The elegant little oribi is usually seen on its own, while the grey rhebok can be found in larger family groups.

The park also provides a great opportunity to see both the bearded vulture and the Cape vulture up close from the comfort of a bird hide set up at the area’s “vulture restaurant”. A trip to Golden Gate is worth it just for sightings of these ugly-beautiful birds, as the bearded vulture is listed as critically endangered in Southern Africa, while the Cape vulture is vulnerable.

Interestingly, the bearded vulture’s entire range in the Southern Hemisphere falls within the Maluti-Drakensberg Mountains. 

Other birds of prey in the park include the majestic Marshall eagle, as well as the jackal buzzard, Peregrine falcon and rock kestrel. In total, there are around 200 bird species that have been identified in the area.

Golden Gate National Park is also a great venue for getting in touch with nature by taking on the various hiking trails. There are no fewer than eight trails from which to choose, from one to four hours in length, or an overnight option. You can even opt for a herbal trail with a local traditional healer, who will explain the medicinal benefits of the herbs found on the walk; this tour also includes a visit to a San rock art site. For something more challenging, the 28km Ribbok trail is a two-day hike through the Maluti mountains. The hike includes an overnight stop at the Ribbok hut, and a chance to cool off in the Ribbokspruit waterfall. You can choose to either admire the Brandwag or Sentinel Buttress from a distance, or trek to the top. It’s not a long hike and makes for a perfect spot at sunrise or sundown. Another well-known rock formation that makes for an instantly recognisable, Instagrammable moment is the Titanic rock closer to Clarens. 

There are a number of accommodation options at Golden Gate National Park, including a hotel and chalets, cottages and rondavels, the rustic charm of the Noordt Brabant guest house, and the serene seclusion of eight luxury log cabins at the Highlands Mountain Retreat.