The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Golden Gate Highland National Park
Afrikaans name: Golden Gate Hoogland Nasionale Park
Photo © hannesthirion - Fotolia.com
Free State
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is the only national park in the Free State. It is 340 square kilometres in extent and is located near Clarens.
The park gets its name from the beautiful golden colours that appear on the sandstone cliffs in the early morning and late afternoon.
Activities in the park include hiking, horse-riding and birding.
Accommodation in the park includes a hotel and camp sites.
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is not known for its wildlife but it does have around 100 species of birds on its checklist and mammals such as Mountain Reedbuck, Eland, Black Wildebeest, Oribi and Springbok may possibly be seen.
Above - Visitors centre at Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - Hotel and hotel chalets
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - Glen Reenen Rest Camp Chalets
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - Spectacular scenery
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - The Golden Gate is lit up at night
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Mammals of Golden Gate Highland National Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Black-footed Cat
Grey Rhebuck
South African Hedgehog
Water Mongoose
Wild Cat
Bird checklist for Golden Gate Highland National Park
Grey-winged Francolin
Southern Pochard
Ground Woodpecker
Red-chested Cuckoo
Alpine Swift
African Black Swift
Horus Swift
White-rumped Swift
African Snipe
Bearded Vulture
Black Harrier
Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk
Lesser Kestrel
Rock Kestrel
Amur Falcon
Cape Batis
Cape Crow
Drakensberg Rock-jumper
Greater Striped Swallow
Rock Martin
Fairy Flycatcher
Cape Grassbird
Lesser Swamp-Warbler
Wailing Cisticola
Neddicky
Zitting Cisticola
Drakensberg Prinia
Cape Rock-Thrush
Sentinel Rock-Thrush
Buff-streaked Chat
Familiar Chat
Malachite Sunbird
Cape Weaver
Yellow-crowned Bishop
Yellow Bishop
Red-collared Widowbird
African Rock Pipit
Long-billed Pipit
Cape Canary
Black-throated Canary
Streaky-headed Seedeater
Cape Bunting
References and further reading
Wild Issue 39 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 36Wild Issue 46 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 25
Wild Issue 31 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 13
Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 58
Wild Issue 24 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 78
Wild Issue 23 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 89
Wild Issue 21 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 42
Wild Issue 22 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 8
Wild Issue 11 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 27
Wild Issue 13 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 56
Wild Issue 11 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 9
Wild Issue 1 - Author: - Published: 2007 - Page: 38
Where to Watch Birds in Southern Africa - Author: A. Berruti and J.C. Sinclair - Published: 1983 - Page: 118
Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 1992 - Page: 238
The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 106
The National Parks of South Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Rene Gordon and Anthony Bannister - Published: 1987 - Page: 135
Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 124
Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 157
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 319
Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2014 - Page: 124
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 305
Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2014 - Page: 12
Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 348
On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 365
On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 246
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 108
Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 204
go! Drive & Camp No 39 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 62
Getaway - Vol 35 No 09 - Author: - Published: 2024 - Page: 86
go! - Issue 137 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 44
go! - Issue 171 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 31
Getaway - Vol 29 No 07 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 66
Getaway - Vol 30 No 06 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 78
Getaway - Vol 27 No 04 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 16
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 153
Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 335
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 667 (Nov 2017) - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 21
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 653 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 29
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 641 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 58
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 635 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 6
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 90
Birding Hotspots - Author: Trevor Hardaker - Published: 2007 - Page: 18
A - Z of South African National Parks - Author: South African National Parks - Published: 0 - Page: 24
SANParks - Golden Gate Highlands National Park
This website features affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
Copyright Steven Herbert Projects, 2013 - 2024. All rights reserved.