Golden gate highlands national park

Overview–southafrica

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Golden Gate Highlands National Park derives its name from the golden glow on its sandstone rocks in the late afternoon (sunsets can be spectacular here). Its appeal lies mostly in the dramatic scenery and hiking opportunities. The park is home to a variety of animals adapted to highland grassland habitat, including several unusual antelope species.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Golden Gate is in the warmer months from October to May. The park is at the height of its beauty during the Wet season, when the skies are free from haze and dust, and the vegetation is green. April and May are particularly stunning when the poplar trees are in autumn foliage. Animals can easily be spotted in the open grassland at any time of the year.

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

Perfect hiking conditions
A chance of snow, making for stunning scenery
There are few other visitors
Wildlife viewing is slightly better, as the grass is shorter
Mornings and nights are cold and days are cool
Dust fills the air making the sky hazy

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

Lush landscapes and beautiful scenery
Pleasant temperatures
The arrival of migratory birds makes for the best birding
Thunderstorms in the afternoons might interfere with hiking
It is high season, and the park is slightly busier

Scenery

Most of the park consists of highland grassland with patches of forest in gorges and ravines, where it is protected from very cold conditions and fire. This is the only grassland national park in South Africa, and 60 different species of grasses have been identified. The impressive Brandwag Buttress sandstone rock formation is a photogenic landmark in the afternoon glow of the setting sun.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: October to May (Beautiful scenery)

High Season

From: October to March (Only busy at school holidays)

Size

From: 116km² / 45mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Golden Gate is not the best wildlife destination, and the focus lies more on the scenery. There is, however, quite a variety of grazers that are well adapted to this specialized environment. Red hartebeest, blesbok, eland, mountain reedbuck and springbok are just some of the antelope to look out for. Black-backed jackal is quite common, and caracal is present as well, but rarely seen.

Wildlife Highlights

The endemic black wildebeest is common in the park, and the dainty endangered oribi can be found single or in pairs on the aptly named Oribi Loop. Grey rhebok is another mountain special, not to be confused with the more widespread and common steenbok, which is the smallest antelope in the park.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Golden Gate can be visited throughout the year. Since the park is not a prime wildlife destination and its main attraction is scenery and hiking, the best time to visit is in the warmer months from October to May. These are the greener, more lush months, due to the summer rainfall. April and May are especially beautiful with rich autumn colors. Winter months from June to September are cold, and the sky tends to be very hazy.

General Wheather

Winter (May to September) and summer (October to April) in South Africa are experienced at opposite times to Europe and North America. In Golden Gate Highlands National Park, the Dry season occurs in winter and the Wet season in summer. Winter gets cold with occasional snow. The park’s relatively high altitude means that winters are cold and summers are mild.

Dry Season –May to September – Winter

The winter months are very cold in the morning and remain cool throughout the day. Warm clothes are a necessity. Most days are sunny with very little rain if any at all. There is occasional snow.

May – This is the beginning of winter. Temperatures cool down, typically to around 3°C/37°F in the morning and 17°C/63°F in the afternoon.
June & July – These are the coldest months. An average morning is about 0°C/32°F, but temperatures often dip below freezing at night. Afternoon temperatures are around 14°C/57°F.
August & September – It gradually gets warmer, with an average temperature of 18°C/64°F in the afternoon. Mornings are still cold with temperatures around 5°C/41°F. Rain might start in September and will bring much-needed relief after a long dry winter.

Wet Season –October to April – Summer

Summer has more comfortable temperatures and regular thunderstorms. Rains rarely last all day and usually come in the afternoon.

October & November – It gets warmer, and temperatures are between 9°C/48°F in the morning and 22°C/72°F in the afternoon. Rain is increasing, and in November, it will rain for many days.
December, January & February – These are the warmest and wettest months with afternoon temperatures averaging 25°C/77°F. Mornings are still cold, but more comfortable at about 11°C/52°F. It will rain most days in the form of afternoon storms.
March & April – It starts to cool down again with an average daily temperature of 22°C/72°F in the afternoon and 8°C/46°F in the morning. Rainfall begins to slow.

Prons

Stunning scenery and many self-guided hiking trails
Great birding destination
Malaria-free
Variety of accommodation in nearby artist’s village, Clarens
Little-visited, off-the-beaten-track destination

Cons

Small game-drive circuit
A public road runs through the park
Limited variety of wildlife

How To Get There

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is situated 320km/190mi from Johannesburg and the direct drive takes about 4 hours*. It is a self-drive destination seldom visited by itself, but more likely as part of a tour through the country.

Most visitors fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and start their tour here, either on an organized safari or self-drive package.

There are no scheduled flights to Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and what tickets would cost.