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Golden Gate Highlands National Park, lies nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north-eastern Free State.

This is true highlands habitat, home to a variety of mammals - black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbok and Burchell’s zebra - and birds, including the rare bearded vulture (lammergeier) and the equally rare bald ibis, which breed in the ledges of the sandstone cliff.

The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park’s sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock.

Generaalskop, the highest point in the park, reveals a breathtaking tapestry of red, yellow and purple hues as its warm shades merge with the cool mountain shadows towards evening.

Places of interest at Golden Gate Highlands National Park include:

  • The Van Reenen family graveyard
  • The impressive Brandwag buttress rock formation
  • A bird hide at the Langtoon Dam
  • Interesting lookout points and viewpoints - Zuluhoek lookout point, Generaalskop viewpoint, the third highest point in the park; Oribi basin and Drakensberg view.

Accommodation

Glen Reenen Restcamp
Situated about 10km from the entrance gate of Golden Gate Highlands National Park, it offers a variety of Rondavels, Longdavels and Family Cottages as well as a Farm House.

Highlands Mountain Retreat
Highlands Mountain Retreat is a luxury camp 2200m above sea-level offering eight log cabins nestled in the foothills of Golden Gate.

Basotho Cultural Village Rest Camp
Situated on the eastern side of the Park at the Cultural Village with selfcatering accommodation in rondawels.

Golden Gate Hotel
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Hotel in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

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.

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.
3. Golden Gate Highlands National Park currently does not have a liquor license, you are welcome to bring your own liquor.

Facilities at Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Picnic site for day visitors has ablution and barbecue facilities.
Glen Reenen Restcamp has a general dealer.

Activities at Golden Gate Highlands National Park

  • Short nature trails (varying from 1 hour to 5 hours): no bookings required.
  • Game viewing at leisure in own vehicle.
  • Environmental education courses (varying from 1 to 5 days).
  • Horse-riding during peak periods.
  • Swimming in natural pool at Glen Reenen Restcamp.
  • Basotho Cultural Village
  • Rhebok Hiking Trail (2 days and 1 night): maximum of 18 persons per group.

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

 

Rooms and Units Available:

Glen Reenen - Camp Site (CK6P)

Camp Site (CK6P): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, Extra vehicles are charged a fee per night, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, PowerPoint.

Amount of similar units: 15
Sleeps 6 Adults

Glen Reenen - Family Cottage (FA4)(FA4B)

Family Cottage (FA4B): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 1 bedroom with double bed, Barbeque facilities, DSTV (limited channels), Fireplace, Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking, WC and shower.

Family Cottage (FA4): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 1 bedroom with double bed, 2 en-suite bathrooms (w/c and shower), Barbeque facilities, DSTV (limited channels), Fireplace, Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking.

Amount of similar units: 3
Sleeps 4 Adults

Glen Reenen - Family Cottage (FA4D)

Family Cottage (FA4D): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 1 bedroom with double bed, 1 stack bed (sleeps 2), Barbeque facilities, DSTV (limited channels), Fireplace, Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking, WC and shower.

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

Glen Reenen - Family Cottage (FA6B)(FA6DZ)

Family Cottage (FA6B): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 1 bedroom with double bed, 2 bathrooms (w/c and shower), one is en-suite, 2 bedrooms, each with 2 single beds, Barbeque facilities, DSTV (limited channels), Fireplace, Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking.

Family Cottage (FA6DZ): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 1 bedroom with double bed, 1 stack bed (sleeps 2), 2 bathrooms (w/c and shower), one is en-suite, Barbeque facilities, DSTV (limited channels), Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking, Unit accessible to the mobility challenged.

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

Glen Reenen - Longdawel (LD2)(LD2D)(LD2Z)

Longdawel (LD2): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 2 single beds, Barbeque facilities, DSTV (limited channels), Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking, WC and shower.

Longdawel (LD2D): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 1 double bed, Barbeque facilities, DSTV (limited channels), Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking, WC and shower.

Longdawel (LD2Z): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 2 single beds, Barbeque facilities, DSTV (limited channels), Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking, Unit accessible to the mobility challenged, WC and shower.

Amount of similar units: 10
Sleeps 2 Adults

Glen Reenen - Rondawel (HKB2)

Rondawel (HKB2): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 1 bedroom with double bed, Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking, WC and shower.

Amount of similar units: 7
Sleeps 2 Adults

Glen Reenen - Rondawel (HKD4)(HKD4Z)

Rondawel (HKD4Z): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 1 double bedroom & 2 single beds on a loft, Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking, Unit accessible to the mobility challenged, WC and shower.

Rondawel (HKD4): Check in currently done at Golden Gate Hotel only, 1 double bedroom & 2 single beds on a loft, Kitchen, NB: Construction work near camp site till Sep 2020, No smoking, WC and shower.

Amount of similar units: 7
Sleeps 4 Adults

Highlands Mountain - 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

Higlands Mountain Retreat - 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:

Conference facilities
Self-Braai / Barbecue
Bar on the Premises
Restaurant
Curio Shop
Petrol on site
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

We enjoyed our stay, very neat and comfortable. Close to outdoor activities in the area. I fully recommend your establishment. Continue doing the great work. You shall see me and my friends in future.
Siskazi Lindeni Sep 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.

The Protea Hotel Golden Gate is situated at the entrance gate and Glen Reenen Restcamp about 12 km from there.

Visitors with reserved accommodation who arrive after 17:30 may collect the keys to their accommodation at the Security Office, Glen Reenen Filling Station.


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  • Guests Rating: (1)
  • Accommodation Type: Game Lodge and Self-Catering
  • Sleeps: 388
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM
    Check-out: 10:00 AM