When I left early on the Saturday morning, I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. The N3 to Harrismith wasn’t too busy, and before I knew it I turned off towards Golden Gate. My sense of excitement tripled when I drove past the sign indicating that I was now entering the boundaries of the Park. I stopped to appreciate the scenery.
Golden Gate NP is less about the animals, and more about the scenery. The Mountains are just breathtaking. More than once I found myself stopping and staring.
The Park only has two loops to drive, and no matter where you were, you were surrounded by the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. During the late afternoon, some clouds formed towards the south, creating an even more dramatic view.
I drove along the Oribi loop. There were vast grasslands with little Cisticolas, Stonechats and Widowbirds flying about. A Red Hartebeest disappeared into the distance. At the lookout point just past the vulture hide a little Cape Longclaw was quenching his thirst in one of the many puddles that were around.
The Blesbok loop was even more scenic. The views from Langtoon Dam and Zulupoint Lookout were astonishing. 
The main scenic attraction in the area is obviously the Brandwag Buttress. It was the first time I had seen it, and it was stunning.
There are mammals in the Park, but they were always far away.
One did come a little closer. While I was having my morning coffee outside my tent, this Black-backed Jackal came trotting past..
The Park is also home to some smaller creatures. This Speckled Rock Skink was hanging out at the Vulture hide.
There were a few butterfly species around. There were many Pioneer Caper Whites and a few of the Zebra Blue Group. I saw a Pirate and an African Plain Tiger at the Vulture Hide.
While I was having a drink at my camp site, this Pondo Pondo Longhhorn Beetle landed in the Weeping Willow Tree in front of me.
The park obviously had had a lot of rain, and there were lots of wild flowers around.
Apparently there are about 50 grass species in Golden Gate NP, and it is one of the few places in the country where the grasslands are actively protected. I thought it appropriate to feature some of these grasses in my trip report.
During the various trips this year I will be traveling to parts of the country that I had never been to. So obviously I have to inspect the worlds of the small creatures in each area that I visit. The first night I spent in the Park was cold and windy, and it rained for a bit, so I did not go for a walk. But the next day and evening I did walk around camp and found a variety of creatures.
There were a number of spider species. One of my favourites was this Vlei spider with its supper.
I still have to confirm the IDs of all the spiders, such as these Comb Footed Spiders.
There were loads of Wolf and Nursery Web Spiders, as well as this gorgeous Neoscona Hairy Field Spider.
Another arachnid I came across was this Harvestman with a little passenger. They are not spiders, and I have to be honest, something about those long spindly legs freak me out a little.
Weevils are by far my favourite beetles, and I found many of these adorable little guys.
Another cool creature I saw was this Racous Toad. I love that fat belly!
The rain and the wind from the first night did not last long, and the next morning was clear and absolutely stunning. I went for a short run. It was one of those mornings that will stay in my memory forever. The scenery did more than just take my breath away. It left me speechless. I felt humbled by what I saw, and grateful that I was able to see and enjoy such incredible beauty.
I stopped about halfway up the trail. I spent a good few minutes just appreciating where I was, and giving thanks to the One who created it all and who blessed my life to allow me to come on this trip.
The bird list for the Park is quite impressive but I saw just short of fifty species, not as many as I thought I would see. The main reason for this is that I was completely distracted by the mountains and the scenery.
The first bird that I saw after entering the boundaries of the Park was a Secretary Bird.
Some of the other notable species included a Half-collared Kingfisher in the stream next to my campsite, and a Spotted Eagle Owl that I flushed on one of my walks.
At the Langtoon Dam I got a slightly different than usual view of the nest of a Red-knobbed Coot..
I also saw a few Jackal Buzzards and Amur Falcons, African Harrier Hawk, Bokmakierie, Red-chested Cuckoo and Cape Vultures to name a few.
At the top of the Blesbok loop a family of Grey-winged Francolins crossed the road.
Closer to camp I found Cape Canaries and a Cape Grassbird.
On one of my walks I found a Karoo Prinia with a couple of cute little ones.
I am not sure what it is about my car’s windscreen that attracts the birds. It happened in Kruger, and it happened again here. Twice. I had fun watching this little Grey-headed Sparrow on my car’s windscreen.
After my morning run I spent quite a while relaxing in camp. I had a couple of cups of coffee, and just relaxed and enjoyed the sounds of the birds and the little stream next to the camp site. Eventually I decided to go for a drive. I stopped at the shop for water, and as I left, I reflected on how ecstatically happy I was. I was about to get happier.
I drove to the Vulture hide. I had a very specific goal. I parked my car and started walking towards the hide. That is when I spotted the shapes high in the sky. There were two and they were unmistakable.
Bearded Vultures.
They were very high, and my record photos were crap. But I saw them. I followed them with the binoculars until they disappeared. I will admit that I may have cried a little, I was so very, very, very happy. OK. I didn’t cry, I blubbered. And not a little. A lot.
When something happens that you have really been looking forward to, it is hard to describe the emotions and excitement.
I continued my drive. As I approached the turn off to the Oribi loop on the way back to camp, a voice said to go back to the hide. I did. And there was another Bearded Vulture! This time closer than the first pair, but still far. I was even more ecstatic than earlier. The bird circled once or twice, and then headed west.
I started driving back to camp with a huge smile on my face. Just as I reached the main road, I saw him flying straight towards me.
I parked my car and jumped out. He was almost close enough to touch.
I could not have asked for a better sighting. I took many, many photos, but also just watched the bird and marveled at its closeness. It was an incredible few minutes.
Golden Gate is different to other Parks. There is no need to rush. I spent a lot of time just relaxing. The drives were short and slow and wonderful. It is an incredibly beautiful Park.
I will be coming back. And soon.