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Did you do the long weekend in winter? We were in Golden Gate from 23/6 for a few days and boy, was it cold! We Capetonians are not used to that kind of cold. It was my first time there (and for the life of me I cannot think why I did not go there before - it is wonderful) and I will definitely return. Although it was cold, the advantage in winter is peace and quiet - few other visitors.

Has anybody stayed in the Rondawels at the Basuto Cultural Camp at Golden Gate NP and what is this camp like?

Self Catering and stunning, lovely views, peaceful, tranquil, etc etc etc
Stayed there a few times
Closest shops Glen Reenen and Clarence but well worth the visit

Thank you Holigan

Sounds good, will include it in our itinerary

Hi

I really like the SANSPARK website and the ability to check availability and book online is awesome

It would be nice if the SANPARKS website could however provide more detailed information about the units and what they contain

I too hve booked to stay in the HKB2 rondavel at Glen Reenen and would like to know exactly what they mean by kitchen

From the post I can gather that it includes 2 place stove, fridge and cutlery. I dont think there is a microwave

Does the rondawel have braai facilities

If anyone could provide more detailed information on what the rondawel contains this would be great

Thanks
Mark

after browsing through this thread I am SUPER excited to have 4 nights staying in the Highland Village mountain retreat in about 2 weeks' time

thanks DINKYBIRD for the pics of the magnificent views - cannot wait to set up my tripod there and capture epic landscape photos of the area, and even more to spend time with my lovely wife and young baby in that peaceful setting...

bring it on...

Hi,

We staying in Basotho Cultural Village, can anyone give maps/trail to Cleopatra Pools. The reception at Glen Reenen wasn't able to give any information.

Apart from tarred roads are there any other dirt tracks which one can take.

Thanks

There are a few loops, but not many. Two I think, Oribi loop, and ....
But you dont really need them, the important ones are the trails. And of them there are many!

This morning I booked 4 nights with our caravan in the Reenen Rest camp for March next year, but reading some posts re the traffic through the camp and the state of the ablutions, I think it is best to cancel.

Has anybody been there lately? Is it still a problem?

It has never been a real problem!

Yes, there is traffic next to the camp, and unfortunately the road on is laid out with many bends, so (I admit) perfect for driving a motorbike on.
Those come during the day though, while you are out hiking or having a drive. And even if you are in camp, they fill up their tanks, visit the shop, and are gone again.
No reason at all not to go!

Bundi,

I stayed at Glen Reenen camp site in 2011 in March over a long weekend. The park is open 24 hours a day and if you look on a map you can clearly see the advantage for taxis to follow this route from Clarens to Qwa-Qwa.

Besides the taxis passing trucks use this route through out the night. Speed bumps may slow them down, but that is where the problem comes in. Long before the truck pass the campsite and after passing it you can hear it driving over the speed bumps repeating a few times. Just as soon as you sleeping again the next truck comes passed.

Maybe those sleeping in chalets are not that much effected, but definitely in a tent the road is a disturbance for peace and quiet time.

I've been visiting the park since 1983 and if it was not for the road we would have visit more often. When we visit again we will try to book the cabins at the Highlands Mountain retreat or try out the farm house, but about camping I will think twice. The only problem is that we love camping and might book again. Its like a person hiking the Fish River canyon. When you finish the last km and drink your beer at Ais-Ais you promise not to do it again, but a few years later you do the same trip over.

Golden Gate can be a great outing and maybe you will experience it differently. The ablution were fine for me as far as my memory goes and the camping area is a lovely spot and nice to visit before the winter cold. If you very energetic you will love all the trails and even the swim in the pool. So I won't say cancell, because you can still have a great time and maybe you not such a light sleeper as me that hears every movement in the camp.

Some feedback from my last post...we enjoyed our stay in the Highlands Mountain Retreat immensely!
To see some of my photos taken during our trip, check out the TR here:

viewtopic.php?style=2&f=27&t=63355

Hi, we want to book 2 nights camping at Golden Gate next year September 2013. I shall like to know if it is ok for camping that time of the year or do you think it is best to book a chalet? Has never before visit Golden Gate. We are from Paarl and book 16 nights at KNP and has think that it will be nice to visit Golden Gate when we return home.

A visit to GG on your way from KNP is really a great idea, and will be worth while.

A couple of thoughts from me re the camping:

Golden Gate can be very cold at night, and I think that could be the case in Sept ... so do you enjoy camping in the cold, and will you be equipped with enough bedding etc if you are coming from a warmer area like KNP.

We have camped there in May, and it was cold.

The camping area is lovely, and very pretty and you can camp in a secluded spot away from the road through the park.

Hi, thanks for answering my question. We always take our heater with us. We visited Mountain Zebra in September and know that in the karoo the nights are very cold. Warm nighties and extra blankets. Hope it will help us