Twelve kilometres away from Clarens is the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, which is renowned for its magnificent scenery. Weird rock formations in various shades of russet, ochre and purple, which have been sculpted from the sandstone cliffs by wind and rain, form a spectacular backdrop to the park. Below the cliffs the mountain slopes are covered in green vegetation and wild flowers. There are lovely indigenous trees in the sheltered ravines, while willow trees and poplars line the banks of the Little Caledon River. The area is a paradise for walking, hiking and horse riding. Various species of game including eland, black wildebeest, oribi, zebra and warthog have been re-introduced into the park. Ostriches, waterbirds, black eagles, jackal buzzards and other raptors are a feature of the reserve while the rare lammergeyer (bearded vulture), with its 2,5-metre wingspan, nests here every year. The camps offer excellent facilities including bowls, tennis, golf, trout fishing and horse riding. 

Seasons: Mild highveld summers (October-March) with the possibility of thunderstorms in the afternoon and cold winters with occasional snow transforming the park into a white wonderland. 

Wildlife: You should see: eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, oribi, zebra, blesbok, springbok, warthog, ostriches and baboon. You may see: black eagles, jackal buzzards, rare lammergeyer (bearded vulture), ibis, porcupine, aardwolf, genet, mongoose, duiker, steenbok,