Re: Golden Gate Vulture restaurant & Hide

[Imberbe]

Photos from the inside of the public area.

Stunning views.







Inside of the photographer's area:



Key from Glenn Rheenen reception.

[granjan]

I visited at the beginning of the month. As Imberbe says a great facility with wonderful views. I spent quite some time there on 2 consecutive days.
There was no remotely fresh carcase, just very old bones and sadly no lammergeiers.
The other problem for photographers is that the grass is quite long so that focussing is very difficult.
I got the key from reception at Van Reenen though the receptionist was very unsure about the procedure, but I'm sure once the hiccups are sorted, it will be a great facility.
AND I saw this from the carpark which is a few hundred yards from the hide.

015 by jansp, on Flickr

[Imberbe]

Any time is a good time to visit. It has stunning views even when there is no wildlife around.

Visitors do not have the opportunity to scatter bones.

We have been there a number of times an twice had the privilege of seeing bearded vultures. Also jackal a number of times and smaller birds are almost always around.

The photography area is locked and you need to pay to use it. The key is at reception at Glenn Rheenen. The public area is however open and there is no fee.

[JDW]

Imberbe
We are visiting Golden Gate in October.
What is the advantage of using the photography area over the public area.
Is food for the vultures placed daily or other specific times.
Regards
JDW

[Imberbe]

The two sections are part of the same building. When booking the photography area you will have exclusive use of this section. It is separated by a door from the rest of the hide. Both the public area and the photography area have one direction windows shielding you from view.

The photography area has sections cut in to the window through which you can place your camera lenses to eliminate shooting through a window. If I remember correctly there are three (?) such openings. These have canvas coverings which can be lifted.

Food is not placed daily and I don't know the exact schedule.

Remember that the one major attraction at this hide is the possibility of seeing the bearded vulture. Their main diet is the bones and the marrow it contains. So a fresh carcass is not needed.

It is the hide with the best possible scenery. It gives a magnificent backdrop to any photo and is worth a photo by itself.

[PNF]

Don't know when last a carcass was placed there but we were told in June by Reception at Golden Gate that feeding is totally dependant on donations of carcasses by the local farmers and that this is irregular - maybe once or twice a month. No carcass was placed during our one week stay in that area.

[HermanPienaar]

I'm visiting Golden Gate soon. What is the best time of day to spot the bearded vultures at the vulture hide?

[Son godin]

Early morning at the coldest time of the day we had some luck, but it is very unpredictable.

[Guinea Pig]

We've seen them late afternoon and in the middle of the day, so very unpredictable.

All I can say is good luck. We've been VERY lucky with them and seen them on all but one visit to Golden Gate. Just keep your eyes peeled.

[wildtuinman]

Hi Herman,

I saw 7 Bearded Vultures flying about in the vicinity of the hide on 2014:04:28 at 10:02:24 from the main road leading towards reception.

Good luck!

[shortcourse]

Have just returned from a quick weekend trip to Golden Gate. Stopped by the vulture hide - the first thing we noted when we tried to open the door to the building were the flies!!! The wall was covered in flies so much so that we did not even manage to sneak in. Apparently this was also an issue at the recent trail run which was held there. I did have a look round the side to see whether there was any action - no birds / jackal unfortunately although there was an old carcass - the flies really need to be attended to somehow. Surely other vulture hides have similar issues which have been addressed already?

[HermanPienaar]

I was one of the lucky ones to spot the Bearded Vulture ans Southern Bold Ibis at Golden Gate vulture hide in Sept 2014. Didn't use the photo portholes - shoot straight through the glass.

[acierpka]

We would like to spend some time at the Golden Gate Nationalpark and I would like to spend some time at the Vulture Hide. Unfortunately I don't find any information on the webpage.

• Do I need to book in advance

• How much do I need to pay

• Where do I book

Thanks

[RichardJ]

Hi @acierpka

No, Nothing (access to the park is free) and not required.

Enjoy your time there.

We had Cape Vultures (8May 15H02) feed and a pair of Bearded Vultures (9 May 14H18) flew overhead, circled and then moved off. Most of the sighting was above and behind the hide.

[acierpka]

Thanks, sounds good!