Golden Gate National Park

Free State

The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is one of the real highlights of the Free State. Its main attractions are the massive, colourful sandstone formations, which shine golden-yellow in the evening sun, and from which the area takes its name. The vegetation in the Golden Gate nature reserve consists mainly of indigenous grassland. Long hiking paths lead through the quiet mountain world.



Top: Golden Gate National Park.
Centre: Caves in the sandstone.
Left: Colourful sandstone formations.

The 11,600 hectares of unique environment is true highland habitat, providing home to a variety of mammals: black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbok and Burchell's zebra. The birdlife includes the rare bearded vulture and the bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs.

The numerous caves in the sandstone rocks were once shelters for the Bushmen. Many of their cave paintings are well preserved. During the Anglo-Boer War (see "History" menu), many Afrikaans families hid here from the British.

Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve

Free State

Anyone going to visit the nearby Royal Natal NP, passes through the Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve. The landscape alone is reason enough to leave the mainstream for a day's break, and the generously laid-out, modern holiday resort is usually not fully booked.



Travel tips and accommodation






The extended nature conservation area around the dam of Sterkfontein is characterised by rugged mountains, endless expanse and a lot of water. Besides long walks and hikes, it offers watersport and fishing facilities in the big dam.



Top: Sterkfontein Dam. In the background the Drakensberg of Lesotho and Natal.
Centre: The camp ground in Sterkfontein.
Left: Green plateau with conical mountains.