During a cold and rainy evening in Europe we came to the idea to travel to Africa. "A 'once in a lifetime experience' with the entire family". Plans came together and a year later we took the plane to set off to South Africa. All kind of expectations but no one really knows what to expect... Immediately we felt at home with Ritchard and Robbie, our guide buddies during the trip.
They did all they could do to make this the trip of our life. Travelling with Imagina Africa Safaris was luxurious, relaxing, beautifull, adventurous and fun all together. Seeying wild dogs hunt in front of the 4x4, snorkeling half a meter away from a whale sharks, driving with quad bikes through the villages, get… 
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Just a quick note to let you know that everything for our trip to Zimbabwe was perfectly organised – thank you so much!!
We had a great time and even caught some reasonably big tiger fish at Chikwenya (see pictures) – the biggest was 6.5kg!
Both of the lodges were very nice and we will tell you all about it when we are in Hoedspruit again in December (22 – 30 December).
Keep well, cold and foggy regards from Uster
Marianne… - Category: Golden Gate Highlands National Park
- 31 Jul
- Written by Super User
Golden Gate Highlands National Park is one of the Free State’s major natural highlights and this protected grassland area is the only national park of its kind in South Africa. It could be South Africa’s “Jurassic Park” with its geological formations and the world’s oldest fossilized dinosaur eggs and embryos. This 12 000 hectare park is situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains and derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs. The Brandwag rock overlooks the main restcamp, Generaalskop is the highest point in the park and guided walks to Cathedral Cave or the 31 kilometre Rhebok Trail provide majestic views and great exercise.
There are many activities from hiking, horse riding, abseiling, canoeing to game and bird watching. Various animals such as Highveld grassland antelope, eland, black wildebeest, rooi haartebeest, blesbok, reedbuck, zebra and a few pairs of the highly endangered Oribi can be seen along with the rare bearded vulture (lammergeier) and the equally rare bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs and accumulate in the feeding area for vultures. Cultural resources span from mid to late Stone Age through to Basotho and early Settler and the Van Reenen Family Graveyard is also a popular site. Stay at the Glen Reenen Rest Camp or the luxury Highlands Mountain Retreat while the Qwa Qwa Rest Camp (a replica of an 18th century Basotho Village) is still a work in progress and should be ready for use by the end of 2007.
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north-eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock, keeping vigil over the main rest camp.
This 11 600 hectares of unique environment is true highland habitat, providing home to a variety of mammals including black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbok and Burchell's zebra - and birds, including the rare bearded vulture (lammergeier) and the equally rare bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs. Ribbokkop, the highest point in the park, reveals a breathtaking tapestry of red, yellow and purple hues as its warm shades merge with the cool mountain shadows towards evening.
