When Callum and I started our road trip we had no idea where to go. We just knew that we had to get to Cape Town somehow, some way, within a two-week time span. We’re both avid hikers, both enjoy places that fewer people know about, and both love nature.
Therefore, the next logical place to visit was Golden Gate Park and the Drakensberg mountain range in the Free State of South Africa – not far from Johannesburg. Though a 3-4 day backpacking adventure through the Drakensberg mountains would have been ideal, I had to get to Cape Town by a certain date in order to participate in a project I’ll discuss here later.
It’s the great plague of traveling and movement that there is, by nature, limited time to see everything. It seems the more I move around, the more I become aware of and the longer my must-see list grows.
Even less sensical, I go places and immediately think to myself, “when I return, I’ll do this! I’ll do that! I’ll bring so-and-so with me!”
As if in some mystical future I’ll suddenly, magically, have all this extra time that I don’t seem to have in the moment. I’ll be able to move more slowly. I’ll immerse myself more.
Shouldn’t I try to be more present? Show of hands, who else does this? We’re getting off-topic here but that’s something to marinade on.
To bring us back I’ll start with Golden Gate Highlands National Park:
This was the hike Callum and I did on day two of our epic road trip. We had really started off with a bang seeing wildlife and the origin of human kind on day one, and yet again we were in for a mind-blowing day when we started this trek into the Golden Gate.
Even the drive to the park was stunning. We saw zebras for the first time, which was surprisingly delightful.
There was all kinds of game running around the park – Kudu (one even barked at me) which is a very large, curly-horned deer-looking thing, Springbock, and ostriches.
All of those taste delicious, I might add, and I extend my apologies if I’m being inappropriate by always wondering how a wild animal tastes when I see it running around.
The hike itself is supposed to take about 4-5 hours and is easy to moderate in difficulty.
Even if you’re not really a hiker, you should do this trail. It’s so beautiful that the reward for your efforts is well worth it:
After the hike, be sure to head back down and catch the sunset as it reflects on the rocks below.
This sight is how Golden Gate got its name, after all.
Follow this map to get to the trail head:
Next on the docket the following day was the Amphitheater hike to Sentinel Peak and Tugela falls in the Drakensberg mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tugela Falls is the apparent second tallest waterfall in the world which straddles the border of South Africa and Lesotho.
The day started off quite misty and we were a bit concerned that there would be no view, but decided that exercise is for winners and got to hiking anyway.
Thankfully the mist cleared and we were rewarded handsomely:
This hike, by the way, is an easy one and mostly flat. It takes around 4 hours round trip from the Sentinel car park but be sure to budget a lot of time at the top.
The only thing to be aware of is, if you’re afraid of heights, the chain ladder that you’ll have to climb up, and back down again.
I’m not very fearful of heights but this had me shaking a bit to be honest.
Again, I really wish we’d had more like 3-4 days to do a full trek through the mountains, because if this hike is any indication, it would be stunning.
However, if your time is limited like mine was, this is a really great way to see some seriously impressive natural beauty.
To do it yourself, head to the Sentinel Car park on this map.
Be forewarned: though they’re slowly paving the road, much of it is very rocky and difficult to drive on. We somehow did it in a Volkswagon Vevo, but we probably very narrowly missed popping a tire and it’s a good thing Callum was driving because I would not have been able to navigate it nearly as well!
If you find yourself there, I really liked Karma Backpackers as a place to stay. It’s peaceful, in a cute small town (with a really fun pub – check it out!), and the owner is just lovely.
Have you hiked here? Is it on your list now?
Shelby says
This is a lovely post I cannot wait to go to South Africa
Ryan says
So beautiful, I need to see Africa soon, seems like it’s been getting a lot of attention lately and just looks incredible. And awesome glasses by the way. Glad to see you’re doing videos now!
Kristin says
Thanks for watching. I wish they got more views but it’ll come in time and I need to learn patience!
Zoe @ Tales from over the Horizon says
I have never known much about South Africa – you make it look so beautiful!
Kristin says
Thank you! It’s nothing I’m doing, it just is beautiful! I hope more people visit because it’s just stunning.
Jo (The Blonde) says
These are amazing! The photos are simply stunning!
Renuka says
The hike sounds amazing! And the views..ah! So gorgeous!
Kristin says
was just so beautiful!
Christine | The Traveloguer says
Gorgeous photos Kristin. South Africa looks and sounds amazing. I’m glad you ended up travelling there. 🙂
Kristin says
I’m glad to be here too.
Kristin says
It so is
Mike | VagabondingMike says
That picture you took of Tugela Falls is awesome.
Well done!
Simone says
I have to say that I’ve never had this massive desire to go to South Africa…that is until this post! I’m absolutely awestruck by your video and photos, just wow! Really enjoying your vlogs 🙂 Love that you’ve got Hakuna Matata playing too! haha
Kristin says
That’s so wonderful, Simone! I hope you do come here and if so, let me know! I see myself spending a lot more time here in the coming years.
Chalsie says
Holy crap! That is incredibly beautiful!!
South Africa, you’re now on my travel list 🙂
Chalsie | The Workshop Co. x
Kristin says
Glad to read that!
Chris says
Nice trip report. It’s a lovely place. But I think the falls in your picture is eland falls. Tugela falls is about one km further once you climbed the chain ladders. Much much higher falls.
Kristin says
Nope, definitely Tugela. You had me wondering but the Lesotho horsemen and the locals I met who were returning for a third time had confirmed in Person. Then I looked up eland on images and I never actually saw that one. I went as high as one could go.
Dez says
I’m planning a backpacking trip across South Africa now and loving all of your tips and tools for reference! Very good, detailed writing!
Chris says
I would definitely like to attempt one of these treks. Those chains do not look like they are for the faint at heart!
Gioko Pat says
Even for short treks, these trails seem to be quite a mouthful, you know, the things that can make one say “I have been to Africa.” Nice information and pictures too.
Wendy says
Hi Kristin! I’m wondering if you felt it was safe to leave your stuff in your car while you hiked? We have large backpacks and would like to just take day packs on hikes. What do you think?
Kristin says
I mean in general it’s best not to leave anything of value at all in the car in South Africa, and if you must make sure it’s not showing. We were just out for a day hike so we didn’t leave anything in the car.
Archana Vallabhaneni says
Hey Kristin,
I am finally embarking on this roadtrip route myself after putting you and Callum up to it, 3 years ago ;). I would love to repeat the exact same itinerary that you did. Drive from JoBurg to Wodehouse Trail and start hiking right away. Spend the night around there and then drive to Sentinal the next morning to do the Amphitheater Hike.
Now, I have been reading various resources and been seeing a bit of conflicting info. So would you answering a few of my questions so I can plan my days better please?
1. How hard is Wodehouse Trail hike, considering one would have to drive nearly 4hrs to get to it first? Would you advice a beginner to attempt it or not?
2. Same question as above about the Amphitheater Hike. This one especially reads to be quite difficult in different sources. How much of an altitude gain does it involve not counting the ladder climb?
3. Are both these hikes easily accessible to do on my own? As simple as driving up to the trail head and beginning the walk? Do you have to pay any fee at any point? Any chances of getting lost without a guide?
4. I am guessing you’d suggest to start the hikes early in the morning but would it be too terrible to do start midday?
Thank you so much!
Archana
Kristin says
Hey Archana!
First of all thank you so much for introducing Callum and I! He was the best road trip buddy, honestly. It was so much fun.
1) It’s so hard to say because hiking is subjective, but I don’t recall it being very long nor steep. I would say it’s moderate to easy, though it is uphill.
2) It’s pretty flat up until the ladder climb. I think the ladders really freak out some people, which I get. That part is over quickly, though.
3) They’re easy to follow trails. I think we maybe did pay a fee but it was small. I remember the road to Sentinel being pretty bad but it was under construction so it’s probably all paved now. If you can find a hiking buddy that’s always better of course.
4) I did Wodehouse by midday and the other in the AM and it worked out well. Neither take all day.
Have fun!