Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Overview
South Africa Parks
Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.
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.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Golden Gate is not a prime wildlife destination. None of the Big Five is present, but it is home to several species that thrive in the highland habitat. The endemic black wildebeest, with its distinctive white tail, can be seen grazing together with Burchell's zebra, blesbok, mountain reedbuck and oribi. Predators are rarely seen, except for the black-backed jackal.
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.
Weather & Climate
The cold of winter arrives in May and lasts until September, with average daytime temperatures that rarely exceed 16°C/61°F. The sun shines most days, and snow falls on rare occasions. In summer, which stretches from October to April, the temperature gets a lot warmer. There’s also quite a bit of rain in the form of afternoon thunderstorms.
Best Time To Visit
You can see animals year-round, though they’re not very prolific or diverse. The park is all about the landscape, which is particularly attractive in the Wet season (October to April), but be prepared for some rain. There are many small trails, which can be explored at any time, but serious hikers might prefer conditions during the cooler, dry winter months (May to September).
