Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Sunset Magic

Although not containing any of the Big 5 and no large predators, the flip side to this park is the hiking trails. This means you can really get out and see some African wilderness under your own steam. I have seen plenty of antelope here while wandering around the grasslands, including rhebok as well as zebra, jackals and cheeky baboons.

The best time of day to come is around sunset when a blaze of colour flares over the Maluti Mountains in a kaleidoscope of soft, surreal light. The open-air museum at the Basotho Cultural Village within the park is also worth a meander, although I found nearby township tours to be more interesting.