Golden Gate Zipline: New adventure at Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Visitors to Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa's Free State can now add a new adventure to their itinerary: the Golden Gate Zipline, a seven-cable zipline experience taking visitors across the park's spectacular mountain landscape.

The new attraction gives travellers another way to experience one of South Africa's most scenic national parks, combining an adrenaline-filled activity with views of the distinctive sandstone cliffs and surrounding highlands.

Seven zipline cables across the Golden Gate landscape

The Golden Gate Zipline consists of seven zipline cables and platforms, with the longest cable stretching approximately 650 metres.

The experience starts at an altitude of around 1,300 metres above sea level before finishing at approximately 1,200 metres. The complete adventure takes about one hour, making it relatively easy to fit into a day of sightseeing, hiking or driving through the park.

At R650 per person, the zipline provides a different perspective on Golden Gate Highlands National Park and could be particularly appealing to travellers looking to add something more active to their visit.

Who can use the Golden Gate Zipline?

The attraction is open to visitors aged 6 years and older.

There is also a maximum weight limit of 120 kg, so visitors should take this requirement into account when planning their activity.

The zipline operates daily from 09:00 to 16:00, with the last tour departing at 15:00.

A new activity for a Golden Gate itinerary

The zipline complements the park's existing attractions rather than replacing them. Golden Gate Highlands National Park is already known for its scenic drives, hiking trails and mountain landscapes, while the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre provides an additional family-friendly attraction.

For visitors staying overnight, the park's accommodation options also make it possible to combine the zipline with a longer exploration of the area rather than treating it as a short stopover.

For families, the minimum age of six also makes the attraction potentially suitable for trips with older children, subject to the weight restriction and the operator's safety requirements.

Is the Golden Gate Zipline worth adding to your trip?

If you're already visiting Golden Gate Highlands National Park, the zipline offers a relatively straightforward way to add an adventure activity to your itinerary. The seven cables, mountain setting and 650-metre longest run should make it particularly attractive to visitors who want more than scenic drives and hiking.

It also gives travellers another reason to spend time at Golden Gate Highlands National Park rather than simply passing through the park on a wider Free State and Drakensberg road trip.

Golden Gate Zipline at a glance:

• Location: Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Free State
• Price: R650 per person
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour
• Number of zipline cables: 7
• Longest cable: Approximately 650 metres
• Minimum age: 6 years
• Maximum weight: 120 kg
• Operating days: Daily
• Operating hours: 09:00–16:00
• Last tour: 15:00

For travellers planning a visit to Golden Gate Highlands National Park, the new zipline is therefore worth considering alongside the park's hiking trails, scenic routes and other visitor attractions. 

 

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Golden Gate Highlands NP: Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Centre closed 02–13 March 2026

last update 09 March 2026

SANParks announced that the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre at Golden Gate Highlands National Park re-opens on 10 March 2026! The floors have been fully repaired. 

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Visitors planning a trip to the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located within the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa's Free State, are advised that the centre will be temporarily closed from Monday, 2 March to Friday, 13 March 2026. This closure is required to carry out essential floor repairs, ensuring the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all future visitors.

During this period, guests are encouraged to explore other attractions within Golden Gate Highlands National Park, including scenic hiking trails, picnic spots, and wildlife viewing opportunities. SANParks apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciates visitors’ understanding while the necessary maintenance is completed.

The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, which only opened to the public on 22 June 2025, offers a fascinating insight into the prehistoric world, showcasing life-size dinosaur exhibits, fossil displays, and interactive learning experiences for all ages. Once reopened, it promises an enhanced visitor experience, making it a must-visit destination for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone curious about South Africa's rich paleontological heritage.

 

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Free State: Vredefort Dome Visitor Interpretation Centre nears completion – opening expected in early 2026!

The long-awaited Vredefort Dome Visitor Interpretation Centre in South Africa’s Free State province is finally nearing completion. According to the Department of Tourism, construction of the new visitor facilities is expected to be finished by early 2026, marking the end of a project that has faced multiple delays over the years.

Funded through the Department of Tourism’s “Working for Tourism” programme, the new visitor centre will form the heart of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site, one of the planet’s most extraordinary geological landmarks. The centre will feature interactive geological displays, educational exhibits, and audiovisual presentations that tell the story of the world’s largest verified meteorite impact structure.

Located about 120 kilometres south-west of Johannesburg, the Vredefort Dome boasts a radius of approximately 190 kilometres and offers striking evidence of an impact event that took place over two billion years ago. This cataclysmic collision reshaped the Earth’s surface and left behind the immense ring of hills that can still be seen today.

During an oversight visit to several tourism infrastructure projects in Gauteng and the Free State, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Tourism confirmed that the Vredefort Dome Visitor Interpretation Centre is now 96% complete.
Committee Chairperson Ronalda Nalumango stated that the project is on track for completion by February or March 2026.

“There were some issues with the previous contractors, but those have been resolved with the appointment of a new team,” Nalumango said. “All buildings have been erected, and the Department of Tourism is working closely with Wits University to finalise the visitor facilities.”

Once open, the Vredefort Dome Visitor Interpretation Centre is expected to become a key tourism and education hub for the region, offering visitors an immersive introduction to the geology, history, and cultural heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

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SANParks announces entry fees for Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre at Golden Gate Highlands National Park!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has officially announced the entry fees for the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre, located within the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, South Africa.
The world-class facility, which opened to the public on 22 June 2025, offers a fascinating journey through South Africa's paleontological, archaeological, geological, and cultural heritage. Through immersive and interactive exhibitions, visitors can explore the ancient history of the Maloti-Drakensberg region — a landscape once roamed by dinosaurs.
During its opening period, free entry was granted to all visitors until 30 September 2025. From 01 October 2025, the following admission fees apply:

Entry fees for the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre:

• South African Citizens:
• Adult: R110.00
• Child: R70.00
• South African Groups:
• School (up to 60 pax): R25.00
• Pensioner: R70.00
• Southern African Development Community (SADC):
• Adult: R150.00
• Child: R75.00
• SADC Groups:
• School (up to 60 pax): R50.00
• International Visitors:
• Adult: R250.00
• Child: R125.00
• International Groups:
• School (up to 60 pax): R100.00

Set against the backdrop of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park's iconic sandstone cliffs, the centre perfectly complements the park’s natural beauty and geological significance. Covering around 340 km², the park is famous for its golden-hued cliffs, diverse wildlife — including black wildebeest, eland, and the endangered bearded vulture — as well as its spectacular hiking trails and panoramic mountain vistas.

Whether you’re a nature lover, history enthusiast, or family traveler, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre offers a unique educational experience that connects the ancient past to the breathtaking present-day landscapes of the Maloti Mountains.

 

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Traffic Alert: Roadworks impacting access to Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN)!

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has issued a travel advisory regarding ongoing road maintenance along the A238 (Old N8) between Mahungra and the stream near Midway Butchery in Bloemfontein. These works are currently causing lane closures and significant traffic disruptions on one of the main access routes to Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN).
The road maintenance project includes fog spray treatment, which requires temporary lane closures. While traffic continues to flow, heavy congestion is being reported — especially during morning and afternoon peak hours.
Passengers travelling to or from Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfonteinare strongly encouraged to plan ahead and allow additional travel time to avoid delays and potential missed flights. 

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Golden Gate Highlands National Park: Free entry to the new Kgomomodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that entry to the new Kgomomodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre, located within Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, will be free for all visitors until 30 September 2025.
This initiative aims to promote environmental awareness, foster interest in South Africa’s paleontological heritage, and encourage broader public access to national parks and conservation areas. School learners, university students, nearby communities, and residents of the Thabo Mafutsenyane District Municipality are expected to benefit most from this limited-time offer.
To gain free access, visitors must present a valid form of identification at the entrance.

Set against the backdrop of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park's iconic sandstone cliffs, the Kgomomodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre offers a unique educational experience, highlighting the prehistoric past of the region and the rich biodiversity of the present.

Free State: New dinosaur interpretation centre to open in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park!

The South African Department of Tourism and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) are set to launch the new Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in in the Free State, South Africa, on 22 June 2025.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and Environment Minister Dion George will officiate the opening of this world-class visitor attraction, which showcases paleontological, archaeological, geological, and cultural heritage through interactive exhibitions.
Funded with R120 million from the European Union (EU) via National Treasury, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre aims to boost tourism, increase park visitation, and support local economic development and job creation. Managed by South African National Parks (SANParks), it features exhibition halls, lecture spaces, a coffee and curio shop, children’s activity areas, and modern infrastructure.
The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre celebrates the discovery of the oldest known dinosaur embryos, offering a unique educational experience for visitors. The launch will also include the graduation of newly trained tourist guides linked to the project.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is renowned for its dramatic sandstone cliffs, which take on a golden glow in the sunlight. Spanning approximately 340 km², the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including black wildebeest, eland, and the endangered bearded vulture. With its scenic hiking trails, rich cultural heritage, and stunning Maloti Mountain views, the park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. 

South Africa: Renovations underway at Highlands Mountain Retreat in Golden Gate Highlands National Park

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that construction is currently underway at Highlands Mountain Retreat, located in Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, South Africa. The renovation project began on 30 January 2025 and is expected to be completed by 30 October 2025. While the retreat remains open for bookings, SANParks advises visitors that construction activities will be ongoing during this period.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is renowned for its dramatic sandstone cliffs, which take on a golden glow in the sunlight. Spanning approximately 340 km², the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including black wildebeest, eland, and the endangered bearded vulture. With its scenic hiking trails, rich cultural heritage, and stunning Maloti Mountain views, the park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Highlands Mountain Retreat, a secluded and luxurious accommodation option within the park, offers eight self-catering log cabins perched high in the Maloti Mountains. Guests can enjoy spectacular panoramic views, peaceful surroundings, and a true escape into nature. Despite the ongoing renovations, visitors can still experience the beauty and tranquility of this mountain retreat.

South Africa: FlySafair to launch flights between Johannesburg <> Bloemfontein!

South African low cost airline FlySafair is set to launch a new service to Bloemfontein in the Free State. Effective 16 September 2022, the airline will operate two weekly flights on Fridays and Sundays between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein. Flights will depart Johannesburg at 16:35 and arrive in Bloemfontein at 17:35, while the return flight will depart Bloemfontein at 18:10 and arrive in Johannesburg at 19:10.

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Golden Gate Highlands National Park: New "Godumodumo Dinosaur Centre" is almost complete!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the construction of the Godumodumo Dinosaur Centre in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is at its tail-end phase. The launch of the state-of-the-art interpretive centre is expected towards the end of this financial year. The Godumodumo Dinosaur Centre is a legacy project that was funded by the National Department of Tourism (NDT) through its Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund in 2018. It will serve as an iconic tourist attraction modelled on the narrative interpretation of the paleontological, archaeological and geological evidence found at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is located in north eastern Free State in South Africa. The National Park covers an area of 340 km² and is known for its dramatic golden, ochre, and orange-hued, deeply eroded sandstone cliffs. The Free State's only national park is home to mongooses, eland, zebras, and over 100 bird species.

South Africa renames a town in the Free State after Winne Mandela!

South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has approved another name change. According to Government Gazette No. 44943 (06 August 2021) the town of Brandfort in the Free State will be renamed after South African anti-apartheid activist and politician Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (26 September 1936 – 02 April 2018). However, is not clear if the name chane will take immediate effect.

The second wife of Nelson Mandela was banished from Soweto to Brandfort by the apartheid regime in May 1977. She lived at house number 802 in the Black township in Brandfort.
Brandfort is a small agricultural town in central Free State, about 60 km northeast of Bloemfontein. 

Ingula Nature Reserve designated as South Africa’s 27th Ramsar Site!

The Ingula Nature Reserve in South Africa has been declared a Wetland of International Importance ("Ramsar Site") by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar Convention. This addition brings the number of South Africa's Ramsar Sites to 27 covering a surface area of 571,089 hectares.
The Ingula Nature Reserve sits along the northernmost part of the Drakensberg mountain range, between Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. It lies between 1,260 and 1,900 metres above sea level, and mainly consists of dry grassy plains – which are partly cultivated and irrigated – interspersed with extensive wetlands. The Ingula Nature Reserve is home to over 300 bird species, of which 24 are threatened, 34 mammal species, including 11 carnivores and 10 antelope species, as well as 69 butterflies and 29 reptiles.
The Convention on Wetlands/Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the "wise use", or sustainable use, of all of the wetlands in their territories. 

Annotated List of Wetlands of International Importance/Ramsar Sites in South Africa:

1. Barberspan
2. Blesbokspruit
3. Bot - Kleinmond Estuarine System
4. Dassen Island Nature Reserve
5. De Hoop Vlei
6. De Mond
7. Dyer Island Provincial Nature Reserve and Geyser Island Provincial Nature Reserve
8. False Bay Nature Reserve
9. Ingula Nature Reserve
10. Kgaswane Mountain Reserve
11. Kosi Bay
12. Lake Sibaya
13. Langebaan
14. Makuleke Wetlands
15. Natal Drakensberg Park
16. Ndumo Game Reserve
17. Ntsikeni Nature Reserve
18. Nylsvley Nature Reserve
19. Orange River Mouth
20. Prince Edward Islands
21. Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve
22. St. Lucia System
23. Turtle Beaches/Coral Reefs of Tongaland
24. uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve
25. Verloren Valei Nature Reserve
26. Verlorenvlei
27. Wilderness Lakes

Golden Gate Highlands National Park: SANParks has cancelled the Golden Gate Classics 2020!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Golden Gate Classics 2020 has been cancelled due to the uncertainty regarding COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in South Africa. Usually held in December, the Golden Gate Classics is a weekend of Classical and Jazz music held under the stars at the foothills of the majestic Maluti Mountain Range in Golden Gate Highlands National Park. According to SANParks Managing Executive: Tourism Development & Marketing, Hapiloe Sello, SANParks is looking forward to be hosting the Golden Gate Classics at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in 2021 again.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is located in north eastern Free State in South Africa. The National Park covers an area of 340 km² and is known for its dramatic golden, ochre, and orange-hued, deeply eroded sandstone cliffs. The Free State's only national park is home to mongooses, eland, zebras, and over 100 bird species.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has released a new destination video showcasing Golden Gate Highlands National Park!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has released a new destination video showcasing Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa's north-eastern Free State. Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains, the National Park's most notable features are its golden, ochre amd deeply eroded sandstone cliffs and outcrops as well as its numerous caves and shelters displaying San rock paintings. Golden Gate Highlands National Park consists of 340 km² and is home to a variety of wildlife, including Bearded Vulture, Bald Ibis, Black Wildebeest, Eland and Oribi.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is located close to the villages of Clarens and Kestell, in the upper regions of the Little Caledon River. The National Park is situated 320km from Johannesburg, 330km from Bloemfontein and 350km from Pietermaritzburg. Accommodation in the National Park is available at the Golden Gate Highland Hotel, the Glen Reenen Rest Camp, the Highlands Mountain Retreat, the Basutho Cultural Village, the Noordt Brabant Guest House and the Wilgenhof Environmental Education Centre.

South Africa: Golden Gate Highlands National Park opens new interpretation centre!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has opened a new interactive interpretation centre in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Located in the reception of the Glen Reenen Rest Camp, the "Glen Reenen Interpretation Centre" showcases the natural history, palaeontology, geology and cultural history of the park, offering an additional activity and attraction in the National Park. The exhibition was put together by SANParks Honorary Rangers in cooperation with SANParks. The "Glen Reenen Interpretation Centre" is free for all visitors.

South Africa: Wild cheetahs return to the Free State after 100-year absence

For the first time in about 100 years, wild cheetahs have been reintroduced to the Free State in South Africa as part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's (EWT) Carnivore Conservation Programme. Two male cheetahs, born in July 2010, got released into the privately owned Laohu Valley Reserve. Both cats are coming from the 5,700-hectare Amakhala Game Reserve in South Africa's Eastern Cape and have been roaming free from birth, hunting and fending for themselves. A female cheetah will get introduced to the Laohu Valley Reserve in near future, so that the province will hopefully see the first wild cubs born in over a century pretty soon.
The Laohu Valley Reserve, located near Philippolis, is the largest protected area in the Free State. The 350km² reserve is known for its ambitious tiger rewilding and reintroduction project in a last-ditch effort to save the South China Tiger from extinction.
According to the Endangered Wildlife Trust, cheetahs have been reintroduced into approximately 48 reserves across southern Africa for tourism and ecological reasons, and 272 cheetahs, sourced from South Africa and Namibia, currently occur in fenced reserves.

South African Tourism: South Africa's nine provinces in one video (18 min)

South African Tourism has released new promotional videos: an 18-minute video about all nine provinces of South Africa, as well as single videos about the provinces, namely the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu Natal. I couldn't find the video about the Free State on youtube, though. We will add the video as soon as it appears on the video-sharing website and let you know!

South Africa: Bloemfontein International Airport officially renamed Bram Fischer International Airport

update (14 Dec 2012): Bloemfontein's airport has been officially renamed Bram Fischer International Airport by President Zuma ahead of unveiling a new Nelson Mandela statue in Bloemfontein.  

The Airport in Bloemfontein, previously known as Bloemfontein International Airport (IATA: BFN), has been officially renamed Bram Fischer International Airport. South Africa's Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile, approved and gazetted the renaming of the airport in the capital of the Free State on 02 November 2012. The official launch and re-naming ceremony is planned to take place before the end of 2012.
The South African airlines Airlink, Mango and South African Airways are currently the only carries operating flights to and from Bloemfontein.
Abram "Bram" Fischer (23 April 1908 in Bloemfontein – 8 May 1975 in Bloemfontein), a South African of Afrikaner descent, was one of the "bravest and staunchest friends of the freedom struggle that I have ever known." (Nelson Mandela in Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela). He was a lawyer and led, for instance, Nelson Mandela's legal defense team at the Rivonia Trial of 1963–1964.

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