Situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, in the Eastern Free State, Golden Gate National park encompasses 48 sq km of grassland and spectacular sandstone formations. The park was proclaimed to protect the sandstone cliffs above the Little Caledon valley. It gets its name from the towering 100-metre-high golden-yellow sandstone cliffs, the Golden Gate, that flank the valley of the Little Caledon river at the western entrance of the park. The natural colours of the sandstone are themselves brilliant, but the cliff is so situated as to catch the rays of the setting sun, and the massive pile glows as though with an inner radiance.
Black Wildebeest, grey rhebok, oribi, blesbok and mountain reedbuck can be seen in the Golden Gate National park, as well as the endangered bearded vulture (lammergeyer), black eagle and steppe buzzard.
The natural attributes of the Golden Gate National park make it an outstanding outdoor classroom for studying the earth sciences of geography and geology, but also provide opportunities for practical communication of the environment.
Visitors are in for a surprise when visiting the Golden Gate National park, for the park at first sight appears to be nothing more than a beautifully situated holiday-resort. The main ‘camp’ Brandwag, is a hotel complete with conference facilities and ladies’ bar. Other facilities include bowls, tennis, table- tennis, snooker and horse-riding, while during the holiday seasons the staff organize a daily activity programme for visitors which includes canoeing, abseiling and guided hikes. |
