Wild Horses is the only privately owned guesthouse in the Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve which lies in the foothills of the Drakensberg Escarpment, in the Free State province of South Africa.
It is conveniently situated close to a number of quaint South African towns including Harrismith, named after an early governor of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith, and Clarens, a popular tourist destination.
The Area |
 | Sterkfontein Dam
The massive expanse of water which is the Sterkfontein Dam lies just a few kilometres from the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment in the very upper reaches of the Vaal Dam catchment on the Nuwejaarspruit. Deep and cool, it creates ideal conditions for trout and other varieties of fish, and is therefore a popular angling area. It is the third largest dam in South Africa and has the largest dam wall.
For the holidaymaker, the area offers an unrivalled outdoor vacation and the opportunity to get back to nature with long walks and hikes through the beautiful landscape, a variety of watersport and excellent fishing.
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 | Sentinel Peak
Standing 3,165m high, The Sentinel Peak, is the highest free standing peak in the Northern Drakensberg and is the site of a number of impressively beautiful waterfalls and streams which run during the summer months. In winter the peak is often covered in snow. An easy climb of 500m will take you to the top of the Drakensberg escarpment to the Amphitheatre and Tugela Falls.
A number of hiking trails are available for more active guests and we are happy to advise you about them and make bookings for you.
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 | Clarens
Within a short driving distance from Wild Horses is the town of Clarens. Known as the Jewel of the Free State it boasts a growing population of artists and entrepreneurs and has become a hub of creative activity. It has more than 18 art galleries, a number of interesting curio and antique shops and a host of pubs and restaurants.
Many of the beautiful old homes here have been built from the golden sandstone of the area. The Free State has rich deposits of fossils, and visitors to Clarens area can go on fossil-hunting expeditions. You may be lucky to find dinosaur bones, eggs or teeth!
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 | Harrismith
Harrismith, just off the N3 highway, is named after a previous Governor of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith. It nestles at the foot of the Platberg, meaning flat mountain, and sometimes experiences snow falls in Winter.
The Botanical Gardens and Blockhouse and the Community Museum are worth a visit, while the Historical Tours make an interesting excursion, particulary for those interested in the Anglo Boer War, as a number of battles were fought in this area.
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 | Basotho Cultural Village
The Basotho Cultural Village lies adjacent to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and showcases both historical and contemporatry aspects of the Sotho culture, which extends across the Free State and the adjacent kingdom of Lesotho.
The Village offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the Sotho tribe with guided tours, music and dance demonstrations, a museum, curio shop, art gallery, crafts and a restaurant which serves traditional Sotho meals.
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 | Golden Gate Highlands National Park
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park, located in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, covers some 12,000 ha and takes its name from the magnificent golden-hued sandstone cliffs which characterise the area. It has many walks and hiking trails, pony trails, rock art and small game including eland, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, blesbuck and zebra. Some famous landmarks such as Oribi Basin, Brandwag Rock and Cathedral Cave are well worth a visit.
Golden Gate is also a birders paradise with more than a 100 species of birds frequently spotted on walks. Some rare finds include the very rare bearded vulture as well as the equally rare bald ibis.
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The Drakensberg |
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South African's spectacular Drakensberg escarpment is a 200-kilometre-long world heritage site which stretches from the north western border of Kwazulu Natal to the Tugela Region in the south. Its mountains rise as high as 3000m, and host some of the most popular South African Nature Reserves, all of which have unique, breathtaking views. It is the source of many rivers and spectacular waterfalls, including the Tugela Falls, the second highest in the world.
The foothills and caves of the Drakensberg contain over 35,000 San rock art images - evidence of the tiny, indigenous people who practiced a prehistoric lifestyle in the area hundreds of years ago. The Drakensberg Mountains are synonymous with a unique richness of biological diversity.
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South Afica |
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South Africa is known for its secenic beauty, sunny weather, unmatched outdoor lifestyle and the warm hospitality of its people. It is fast becoming a sophisticated tourist destination representing excellent value for money and offering a host of adventure and soft adventure activities, excellent cuisine and an opportunity to relax and recharge in an environment that few destinations in the world can rival.
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