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Golden
Gate National Park travel info
Twelve kilometres away from Clarens is the Golden Gate Highlands
National Park, which is renowned for its magnificent scenery. Weird
rock formations in various shades of russet, ochre and purple, which
have been sculpted from the sandstone cliffs by wind and rain, form a
spectacular backdrop to the park. Below the cliffs the mountain slopes
are covered in green vegetation and wild flowers. There are lovely
indigenous trees in the sheltered ravines, while willow trees and
poplars line the banks of the Little Caledon River. The area is a
paradise for walking, hiking and horse riding. Various species of game
including eland, black wildebeest, oribi, zebra and warthog have been
re-introduced into the park. Ostriches, waterbirds, black eagles,
jackal buzzards and other raptors are a feature of the reserve while
the rare lammergeyer (bearded vulture), with its 2,5-metre wingspan,
nests here every year. The camps offer excellent facilities including
bowls, tennis, golf, trout fishing and horse riding.
Seasons
Mild highveld summers (October-March) with the possibility of
thunderstorms in the afternoon and cold winters with occasional snow
transforming the park into a white wonderland.
Wildlife
You should see: eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, oribi, zebra,
blesbok, springbok, warthog, ostriches, baboon
You may see: black eagles, jackal buzzards, rare lammergeyer (bearded
vulture), ibis, porcupine, aardwolf, genet, mongoose, duiker,
steenbok,
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