Golden Gate Highlands National Park

National Park · Free State, 🇿🇦 South Africa

Area 330 km²

Time zone Africa/Johannesburg

Official website www.sanparks.org/parks/golden_gate

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Featured Lists

Golden Gate Highlands Essentials

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is defined by its iron-rich red and golden sandstone cliffs. This selection highlights the park's geological landmarks, such as the Brandwag Buttress and Mushroom Rock, alongside its significant heritage sites. The list includes the Basotho Cultural Village, ancient San rock art, and the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, which showcases the region’s globally significant Triassic-era fossil records and dinosaur nesting sites.

10 places

Golden Gate Highlands National Park — Map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: September

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Fair

25° (feels like 24°) · extremes 9°–30°
12° at night
23 rainy days
17 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 12 · extreme

Typical weather in February

Good

25° (feels like 23°) · extremes 9°–29°
12° at night
20 rainy days
15 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in March

Good

23° (feels like 21°) · extremes 7°–28°
11° at night
18 rainy days
18 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in April

Good

20° (feels like 17°) · extremes 3°–25°
7° at night
11 rainy days
19 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in May

Good

18° (feels like 13°) · extremes -1°–22°
4° at night
4 rainy days
25 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in June

Fair

15° (feels like 10°) · extremes -2°–19°
1° at night
2 rainy days
25 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in July

Fair

14° (feels like 9°) · extremes -4°–19°
0° at night
2 rainy days
27 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in August

Good

18° (feels like 12°) · extremes -2°–23°
2° at night
4 rainy days
26 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

22° (feels like 17°) · extremes 0°–27°
5° at night
6 rainy days
23 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in October

Good

24° (feels like 20°) · extremes 3°–30°
8° at night
14 rainy days
20 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in November

Good

24° (feels like 21°) · extremes 4°–30°
10° at night
17 rainy days
18 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in December

Fair

25° (feels like 23°) · extremes 8°–30°
11° at night
23 rainy days
16 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 12 · extreme

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency: South African Rand ZAR R · Card payments · Widely accepted
Electricity: Type C / Type D / Type M / Type N
230 V · 50 Hz

Languages: Afrikaans, English, South Ndebele, Swati, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Tap water: Safe to drink
Driving side: Left
Calling code: +27