Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Golden Gate Highlands National Park | |
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Bethlehem | |
Coordinates | 28°30′22″S 28°37′0″E / 28.50611°S 28.61667°E |
Area | 340 km2 (130 sq mi) |
Established | 1963 |
Governing body | South African National Parks |
www | |
Golden Gate Highlands National Park is located in
Geography and climate
"Golden Gate" refers to the sandstone cliffs found on either side of the valley at the Golden Gate dam. In 1875, a farmer called J.N.R. van Reenen and his wife stopped here as they travelled to their new farm in Vuurland. He named the location "Golden Gate" when he saw the last rays of the setting sun fall on the cliffs.[6]
In 1963, 47.92 km2 (11,840 acres) was proclaimed as a national park, specifically to preserve the scenic beauty of the area. In 1981, the park was enlarged to 62.41 km2 (15,420 acres), and in 1988, it was enlarged to 116.33 km2 (28,750 acres).[6] In 2004, the park was announced to be joining with the neighbouring QwaQwa National Park.[7] The amalgamation of QwaQwa National Park was completed in 2007, increasing the park's area to 340 km2 (84,000 acres).[1][8]
The park is 320 km (200 mi) from
The park is located in the eastern highveld region of South Africa and experiences a dry, sunny climate from June to August. It has showers, hail, and thunderstorms between October and April. It has thick snowfalls in the winter.[10] The park has a relatively high rainfall of 800 mm (31 in) per year.[6]
Vegetation
The park is an area of rich highveld and
Wildlife
Instead of reintroducing one of the "big five" into the park, the sungazer lizard and water mongoose were reintroduced. Twelve species of mice, 10 species of carnivores, and 10 antelope species have been recorded in the park.[11] The grey rhebok and the mountain reedbuck were present when the park was established.
Mammals
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Malespringbok
Birds
Over 210 bird species have been observed in the park,
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Secretary bird
Snakes and fishes
Seven snake species, including the
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Puff adder
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Mountain adder
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Rinkhals
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Carp
Geology and palaeontology
The geology of the park provides very visual "textbook" examples of
The following sequence of geological formations is visible in the park (starting from the bottom): the Molteno Formation, Elliott Formation, Clarens Formation, and Drakensberg Formation. The yellow-brown Golden Gate and Brandwag cliffs are made up of the Clarens formation. The layers in this formation are 140 to 160 m (460 to 520 ft) thick. The Drakensberg Formation comprises the basaltic lava that flowed over the desert. It forms the mountain summits in the park. On Ribbokkop, it is 600 m (2,000 ft) thick.[6] The Elliot Formation is a red mudstone where many dinosaur fossils have been found.
The oldest dinosaur
Accommodation
Accommodation in the park is available at Glen Reenen and Brandwag Rest camps. Caravan and campsites with all amenities are available at Glen Reenen camp. The hotel was formerly part of the Brandwag camp, but since its recent refurbishment, it is managed separately by
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Golden Gate Hotel
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Basotho Cultural Village landscape
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Basotho Cultural Village hut
Notes
This park will be included in the
See also
- QwaQwa National Park (incorporated into Golden Gate Park as the QwaQwa homeland no longer exists).
References
- ^ ISBN 1-77009-273-0.
- ISBN 0-87779-546-0.
- ^ South African National Parks. "Golden Gate Highlands National Park". Retrieved 13 August 2006.
- ^ a b c d Geological Heritage Tours (13 August 2006). "Golden Gate Highlands National Park". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
- ^ Savannah-Africa. "Free State". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Footprint. "Rhebok Hiking Trail" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2006.
- ^ South African Government Information. "QwaQwa National Park Incorporated With The Golden Gate Highlands National Park". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2006.
- ^ South African National Parks. "Annual Report 2006/07" (PDF). Retrieved 22 October 2007.
- ^ Masai Mara Migration. "Park Entry Fees Golden Gate Highlands National Park". Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ISBN 1-74104-162-7.
- ^ List of Mammals present in Golden Gate
- ^ "South African National Parks - SANParks - Official Website - Accommodation, Activities, Prices, Reservations". www.sanparks.org. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ [1] Archived 26 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, downloaded 17 July 2012.
- ^ Knight, Will (28 July 2005). "Early dinosaurs crawled before they ran". New Scientist. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
External links
- South Africa National Parks Official site.