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Now it seems that we will miss our days at Golden Gate
Because of the strike of SAA, it looks like it that we won't be able to fly coming friday via London to JHB!
Our travel agent made a preliminary booking on a flight coming sunday via Nairobi, though (just reading on the internet that Nairobi airport is chaos...). So sad children overhere:they were counting the days (as was I!).
Just waiting and hoping that the strike will be solved on time. And luckily our Kruger visit is at the end of our trip!

Hi all - I am visiting Golden Gate for the first time and have some questions:

1. What is the best route between Johannesburg and Golden Gate? Via Vereeniging/Heilbron or the N3.

2. Are any waterfalls reachable on a day walk?

3. We will only arrive at 22:00 hours - will this be a problem at this reserve?

Thanks for your help

Hennie, we have traveled from Vereeniging to GG via Betlehem. Try www.shellgeostar.co.za from the best and fastest routes.

I can't recall any flowing waterfall when we were there. There did seem to be a seasonl one on one of the daywalks behind the camping area.

Hi and Welcome
There is a short hike were you can walk through a waterfall, it takes about an hour and a half (kids really enjoy it) . At the end you get to a very small river with you can swim in to cool off. There are acctualy quite a few of these lovely, short hikes to explore

Definitely Vereeniging/Heilbron, for a few reasons.

The road has far/far less traffic. You will pay less toll fees (if any). Clarens is worth a visit. You have probably been on the N3 often already.

Thanks for the replies I got sofar. We have fallen in love with the Drakensberg and have been up and the N3 quite a few times this year on our way to either Cathedral Peak or Royal Natal. I can really recommend the Thukela Gorge walk.

We have once driven from Bethlehem via Reitz, Frankfort, Villiers, N3 but the section of road between Reitz and Frankfort is in very poor shape. Vereeniging/Heilbron/R59 is certainly better then.

I haven't driven on these roads for 4 years. They were fine then, but maybe someone else has more up to date info.

I would stay off the highway completely and go through Heilbron,Petrus Steyn, Bethlehem. I traveled that road in May and it was fine. Less traffic and much better on the eyes.

1. Vereeniging/Heilbron definitely. Road is in good shape right now. You can't afford not to drive through Bethlehem/Clarens.

2. Yes, on one of the day walks, but it's seasonal. Bad rainfall - no waterfall. Ask at the shop first.

3. Best phone them. We're usually there early afternoon, so can't help you there

Enjoy. One of my fav NP.

This waterfall is like a swimming pool for the camp, it is just a small walk away from the camping area

The last time we were there, October I think, we hiked in shorts in snow. Swimming in waterfalls didn't really come to mind.

We were the January, and the weather was perfect for hikeing and definetly for the waterfall it was +-35 degrees . I have never been there in the very cold conditions.

Is it nice in the cold winter time, to visit the park

Brrr very cold, but if you take warm clothes it will be nice. Been there in winter and walked in the snow on the mountain

It's a once in a lifetime experience. Extremely cold, but if you're not used to snow, need I say more.

It wasn't cold when we were there. It had snowed a day or so before we got there, so it must hav been cold then, but we went walking in shorts. It was quite wierd to wear shorts in snow. It got cooler as we got higher, but was never cold.