Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Name: Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Address: South Africa

The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is named after its golden-yellow sandstone cliffs, which glow particularly intensely at sunset. In the grasslands live zebras, eland, wildebeest, and bearded vultures.

Sights in Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Attraction

Basotho Cultural Village

The open-air museum in the east of the park showcases the building methods and way of life of the Basotho over the centuries, from simple huts to painted mud houses. Guided tours explain traditions, clothing, and cuisine; plus there's often music and home-brewed beer.

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Restaurants in Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Sandstone and Grassland

Founded in 1963, the national park sits at the foot of the Maluti Mountains, over 1,900 meters high. It's named after its sandstone cliffs, which glow golden in the low sun, especially the striking Brandwag Rock. The grasslands are home to elands, blesboks, springboks, zebras, and wildebeest; bearded and Cape vultures breed on the rock faces. Predators are largely absent, so you can hike many trails independently.

Getting There and Orientation

The R712 leads from Clarens right through the park; transit is free, but a day fee applies for hikes and scenic drives. The drive from Johannesburg is about four hours. In winter, nights can freeze and occasionally snow; in summer, afternoon thunderstorms appear.