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A great escape for the mind, body and soul, the Highlands Mountain Retreat, is a luxury camp 2200m above sea-level in Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

Close your eyes and allow your senses to totally relax. Breathe in the crisp, fresh mountain air and slowly allow your eyelids to open. Take in the awesome view of the overlapping mountain range, all the while knowing that you are standing 2200m above sea-level, the only place in South Africa at this height.

Home to eight log cabins nestled in the foothills of Golden Gate, that can accommodate 4 families of 4 each (2 bedrooms each en-suite) and 4 that can accommodate 2 persons each (1 bedroom), making this camp, a definite must visit for all.

Highlands Mountain Retreat Accommodation
Gate Times
The gates in Golden Gate do not close. The road running through the Park is a public road which does not allow for the installation of any boom gates. Gate control is done at both receptions (Golden Gate Hotel and Glen Reenen Rest Camp) on arrival.

Log Cottage (FT2/4):
- Check-in at Glen Reenen Reception
- Double Sleeper Couch (not suitable for adults)
- DSTV (Limited Channels)
- Fireplace
- Kitchen
- One bedroom with double bed
- One en-suite bathroom (wc and shower)
- Veranda with Weber braai

Family Log Cottage (FT4Z):
- DSTV (Limited Channels)
- Fireplace
- Kitchen
- One bedroom with 2 single beds
- One bedroom with double bed
- Two bathrooms (en-suite, with wc and shower)
- Veranda with Weber braai

A unit is accessible to the mobility challenged.

Important Notice
1. Accommodation rates do not include Conservation Fees which are payable at the entrance gates.
2. Please ensure that you are familiar with the Rules & Regulations of National Parks before making a booking.

Other Accommodation options in Golden Gate Highlands National Park:
- Glen Reenen Restcamp
- Basotho Cultural Village Rest Camp

Alternatively Clarens Accommodation options range from guest houses to self catering apartments.

 

Health and Climate:

Mild highveld summers with the possibility of thunderstorms in the afternoon and cold winters with occasional snow transforming the park into a white wonderland.

The winter temperatures in Golden Gate can plummet to a mere -9 to -15 degrees C and that snow is a regular occurrence in the park.

Golden Gate primarily falls in a summer rainfall area (Sept to April) and the annual rainfall is approximately 760 mm per year. In very wet years this figure can rise to 1250 mm.

Rooms and Units Available:

Family Log Cottage (FT4)(FT4Z)

Family Log Cottage (FT4): Check-in at Glen Reenen Reception, Fireplace, Kitchen, No smoking, One bedroom with 2 single beds, One bedroom with double bed, Two bathrooms (en-suite, with wc and shower), Veranda with Weber braai.
Family Log Cottage (FT4Z): Check-in at Glen Reenen Reception, Fireplace, Kitchen, No smoking, One bedroom with 2 single beds, One bedroom with double bed, Two bathrooms (en-suite, with wc and shower), Unit accessible to the mobility challenged, Veranda with Weber braai.

Amount of similar units: 4
Sleeps 4 Adults

Log Cottage (FT2/4)

Log Cottage (FT2/4): Check-in at Glen Reenen Reception, Double sleeper couch (not suitable for adults), Fireplace, Kitchen, No smoking, One bedroom with double bed, One en-suite bathroom (wc and shower), Veranda with Weber braai.

Amount of similar units: 4
Sleeps 2 Adults and 2 children

Facilities & Services available:

Hiking / Walking Trails
Horse Riding
Swimming Pool
Tennis Court
No Pets Allowed

Cancellation Policy:

- No cancellation fee will be incurred for cancellations made after payment of first deposit up to and including 46 days prior to arrival.
- Cancellation fees equal to 50% of the total reservation cost is payable in a case of cancellation made between 45 days and 30 days prior to arrival.
- Cancellation fee equal to 100% of the total reservation cost is payable in a case of a cancellation made between 29 days prior to and date of arrival
- 100% of the total cost for any non-arrival/no-shows

Reservation made within 45 days prior to arrival is payable within 24 hours from the day reservation is made.

- Conservation levy is always excluded from the booking amount and needs to be settled on arrival.

Terms and Conditions

It is your responsibility to check if the reservation is correct. Should the reservation be incorrect, please contact our office immediately.

If the arrival date of the itinerary is postponed prior to or on date of arrival and then cancelled at a later stage, the fees that applied at the time of amendment will be enforced if the amount is greater than the new cancellation fees.

Cancelling or downgrading of a reservation 45 days prior to or on arrival will result in cancellation fees according to a sliding scale (based on the total reservation cost) which varies between 50% and 100%.

Should the reservation not be taken up on the arrival date the accommodation will be held until 09:00 the following day after which the reservation will be cancelled and the deposit, where applicable, forfeited.

Latest Reviews

The view from the cabin is out of this world. The log cabins are well stocked and comfortable. The fireplace and electric blankets are a hit. There were a couple of issues with the TV not working as well as some of the bedside lights but otherwise we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would recommend it.
Margaret Arnold Aug 2022
Highlands Mountain Retreat probably has some of the most beautiful views in South Africa. What an amazing place! It is beautiful beyond words.
The log cabins have a lovely atmosphere and the beds are great.
The 3 star rating is purely because of maintenance issues. We occupied two units - in the one unit the one electrical blanket did not work, the tap in the bathroom did not have water, the whole unit's electricity was off when we got there. The maintenance team was on the job quickly and could fix the electricity and the tap. Unfortunately they could not do anything about the electrical blanket. (It was in the middle of winter.) They usually provide wood (one bag) for the fireplace but on our last day, they did not bring wood to this unit. The excuse was that they ran out and that the manager would see if he could get more. That did not happen. Once again, in the middle of winter, that would have been nice.
In the other unit, the stove did not work and the bedside lamp in one room was broken. Luckily the maintenance team could help with that on the second day.
They do have a generator but unfortunately the generator could not keep up with Eskom's longer load shedding hours. We had power for about an hour of the four hour sessions.
I mention all of the above for guests to prepare and plan better when they visit. Bring extra wood, bring rechargeable lights and power banks for load shedding and in winter time a warm water bottle could help if the electrical blankets don't work.
The staff is friendly and helpful. It would be great if the maintenance can be done proactively instead of just doing it when they receive a complaint. We did appreciate the team's efforts though.
If you come prepared and know what the possible issues might be, you will have a lovely stay. It really is an incredible view and I will go back just to sit on the veranda again at sunrise - so good for the soul.

Carina de Villiers Aug 2022
The chalet is very dark inside, especially at night. Very stunning views though!
Rozaan Bekker Nov 2021

Directions:

From Johannesburg take the N3 south towards Durban. At Villiers turn-off and follow the R26 through Villiers, Frankfort, Reitz to Bethlehem.

From Bethlehem take the road to Clarens (R711) and from Clarens proceed to the Park. About 320km.

Glen Reenen Restcamp is about 12 km from the entrance gate. Please check-in and you'll be directed to the camp.


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  • Guests Rating: (3)
  • Accommodation Type: Self-Catering
  • Sleeps: 32
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM
    Check-out: 10:00 AM