Golden Gate Highlands National Park Best Time To Visit

By Philip Briggs
Philip is author of ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

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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.

Best Time October to May (Beautiful scenery)

High Season October to March (The park might get a bit busier during school holidays)

Low Season April to September (Very cold)

Best Weather October to March (Warmer)

Worst Weather May to August (Cold with mornings dropping to below freezing point)

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

Best Time To Go by Major Park