Golden Gate Highlands

Instantly recognisable for its emblematic sandstone butte, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park lies 30 miles from Bethlehem. Dramatic cliffs aside, a number of indigenous flowers grow here including arum lilies, fire lilies, watsonias and red-hot pokers.

It features a variety of game (black wildebeest, blesbok, springbok, oribi and eland) and bird life includes the rare bearded vulture and the bald ibis that breed on the high ledges. Caves and rock shelters are plentiful and safe for overnighting. There are two rest camps in the park at Brandwag and Glen Reenen as well as a variety of walking trails, a hiking trail and horseriding excursions in the crisp mountain air.