SANParks.org Forums

Hi all.

I'm planning to visit Golden Gate in October and like the look of the family log cottages at Highlands Mountain Retreat. Having never been to Golden Gate before, I was just wondering how easy access to these cottages is (hopefully one doesn't need a 4x4 to reach them?) and how far away the cottages are from Glen Reenen Rest Camp.

Also, how demanding are the nature trails? I'll be bringing my in-laws, who are in their early 70s. They're very fit and love their walks, but aren't hardcore hikers.

Many thanks,
Markus

Hi - I'm going to Golden Gate this weekend and am wondering what the best (and most scenic) route is from Pretoria and approximately how long it takes. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

Hi All,
Can anybody inform me if there is a map, that shows the roads or loops in Golden Gate, or is it just one road with no side branches.

Hi Johan316,

I dont have a map or know where you can reference one. There are at least 2 or 3 loops going from the main road that passes through GGNP.

I'll check for a map and let you know.

Thanks Jacov,
Also can you tell me if the 4x4 routes are long and very taxing, or just nice and easy.

Hi Johan,

There is one main road (not nice at all because the people speed like crazy and you can not really drive slow or stop ) and then 2 one way loops, Blesbok (going past Langtoon dam and Oribi (where the Vulture restaurant is situated and also going to Highlands Mountain retreat).
Then there is also some roads in the Qwa-qwa part of the park. The one seems like a 4x4 track, tried to drive it the past weekend but turned around quite early due to the condition

There is a map for GG, showing all the roads and the hiking trails. Unfortunately there is not any info on it about the Qwa-qwa part, and impossible to find any info about it

Johann will post the map some time this week

I have posted the map here

Could one of the mods maybe make it a sticky please?

Thanks Johan!

Thank You very much Johann, this helps alot.

Can someone also tell me if the vultures get fed daily, and if it is in the morning or evening?

On our trip to Kruger in the coming holiday, we overnight in Golden Gate. As there is a public road through the park I assume there are no specific times that gates to the park/camp close and open? I just want to make 100% sure to plan times of departure and don't want to go on assumption. Any help will be appreciated

Hey Arnold,
You are basically correct. The road that runs through GGHNP is a public road so it does not have opening/closing times. Reception at Glen Reenen however closes at 6pm where you check in if you are staying at Glen Reenen or the other rest camps besides the hotel. Hope you have a good overight here at GGHNP, it is getting a bit chilly, bring some warm clothes!!

Cheers,
Ben

Does anybody happen to have the GPS waypoints for the Farm House a couple of km from Glen Reenen Rest Camp in Golden Gate? It is also rented out by SANP.

Hi, we are camping in Glen Reenen in December 2007. We would like to know if it is possible to visit the Qwa-Qwa National Park from Golden Gate. We have heard that the two parks are now amalgamated? We have never visited either park and would like to know if we can visit the two simultaneously.
Do we need passports etc. to get into Qwa-Qwa?
We have also read that the game is fairly scarce in Golden Gate since the two parks have been amalgamated, is this so? We will be most grateful if anyone can give us a little more info.
Many thanks,
Ina Pelser.

The road travelling through Golden Gate continues on towards Qwa Qwa and then goes through the park. You are doing game viewing from the main road. There is a couple of dirt roads branching of the main which you could drive on but unfortunately the last time I checked there were no maps available.
There is a map at the Basotho Cultural Village taped on the counter which might be of some help. (You get there by following the main road through Golden Gate and Qwa Qwa, lots of signage to the BCV)

No need for a passport, only if you cross into Lesotho will you need one.

Dear all,

On our trip through SA we will stay for some days in KNP, and will then be heading through the North East coastal area for GG. I learn there are basically two routes, either along the coastline until Stanger / Dukuza and then over the R 74 to Harrismith, or the other way round taking R 618 and R 33 over Vryheid, Dundee and Ladysmith.

Has anyone a good advice?

We will be staying end September at the mountain retreat
, but a 4*4 is not (yet) planned. Is a 4*4 necessary? If yes, would a Nissan X-Trail be sufficient?

From MR, are there not to hard / easy hikings possible?


Any reaction will be appreciated!

Wim