THE WELLNESS TRAIL : GOLDEN GATE HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK & GOLDEN GATE HOTEL - SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS & ACCOMMODATION (Maluti Mountains, North Eastern Free State.)

Friday 27 March 2015

GOLDEN GATE HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK & GOLDEN GATE HOTEL - SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS & ACCOMMODATION (Maluti Mountains, North Eastern Free State.)

This is the last of our features on our beautiful National Parks in South Africa, but there are way too many to mention, each of which we should at least see once in our lifetime, and hopefully pick a few to visit regularly, they are all incredible features of this majestic place we live in that we still take for granted.

Please meet the gracious...

This is seriously the perfect movie set for a film set for a gladiator war, you know that old untouched scenery that is majestic and speaks more than the story, and becomes the main actor in the movie because it takes over with its presence....that, that's what this is, pure perfection.

Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north eastern Free State, close to the Kwa-Zulu Natal side of Lesotho, lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the parks sandstone cliffs, an incredible feature, and especially the imposing Brandwag rock, which keeps vigil over the main rest camp.

This 11 600 hectares of unique environment is true highland habitat, providing home to a variety of mammals, including Black Wildebeest, Eland, Blesbok, Oribi, Springbok and Burchell's Zebra, as well as many birds, including the rare bearded vulture, and the equally rare bald Ibis.

Ribbokkop, the highest point in the park, reveals a breathtaking tapestry of red, yellow and purple hues as its warm shades with the cool mountain shadows towards the evenings....this is mesmerising natural beauty.

Special ares of interest are the Van Reenens Family Graveyard, the impressive Brandwag buttress rock formation, the Vulture Restaurant, Cathedral Grave, as well as ZuluHoek viewpoint, Generaalskop viewpoint, Oribi Basin and the Drakensberg view, all very beautiful and interesting.

And staying here is awesome, there are so many in-park options, and well priced too.

There is the Glen Reenen Rest Camp, with Rondavels, Longdavels and Guest Cottages, as well as camping.
Then there is the Basuto Cultural Villge Rest Camp, which closely resembles and 18th century Basuto Village.

There is also the Highlands Mountain Retreat, which is the luxury camp in Golden Gate, and we also have the Noord Braband Historic Guest House, but we choose to feature the GOLDEN GATE HOTEL. Its perfect for all needs, and its setting is simply stunning.

The hotel is formerly known as the Brandwag Hotel, and is a luxury accommodation that has always been synonymous with the Golden Gate with a wide spectrum of services and facilities, which is stretched out onto the 34 adjacent fully-equipped chalets.

Recently renovated, the hotel is nothing short of fabulous luxury.

To find out ore about the Park please visit them @ GOLDEN GATE HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK, and to view their extensive accommodation options, go to GOLDEN GATE HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK ACCOMMODATION...you wont be sorry.