TBA November 2026
Clarens Cherry Festival and Golden Gate National Park with Kusudi La
Clarens is a quaint, picturesque village nestled in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the Free State province of South Africa, just north of Lesotho. The village is known for its natural beauty, arts and crafts, and culinary delights.
Here we will attend the cherry festival and activities at the Ionia Cherry Farm AND explore the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
The Ficksburg Cherry Festival is South Africa’s oldest crop festival, celebrated annually in the small town of Ficksburg in the Free State. Known as the “Cherry Capital” of the country, Ficksburg comes alive each year with festivities dedicated to celebrating the cherry harvest.
Cost
R5,000 per person for the weekend (single rate)
**This includes 2 nights accommodation, breakfast, National Park conservation fees and and festival pass
Not included: Lunch and dinner costs, festival activities
The Cherry Festival will feature a wide range of events and activities, including:
- Cherry Picking: Visitors can experience hands-on cherry picking at local farms.
- Cherry Cooking Classes: Workshops where participants can learn to cook with cherries, creating delicious dishes and desserts.
- Sports Competitions: Events like the Cherry Marathon and the Cherry Mountain Biking Challenge attract both local and international athletes.
- Entertainment: The festival includes live music, food stalls, craft markets, and a popular Cherry Jazz Festival, bringing a vibrant cultural experience to attendees.
Before the cherry festival festivities begin, we will spend two mornings at the Golden Gate National Park. The hiking highlights include the sandstone formations, including outcrops, cliffs, and caves, with their varied hues of ochre.
It is the only National park that protects South Africa’s large grassland area and the wildlife. The park provides a refuge for some of South Africa’s rarest birds. These include the bearded vulture and the bald ibis. Several interesting mammals and fossils are found in the park.
Packing List
- Hiking boots or trail shoes
- Day pack
- 3 litres of water per day
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Swimming costume & towel
- Lunch and snacks for the hikes (Can be purchased in Clarens)
Accommodation:
360 Country Hotel offers comfortable overnight and bed-and-breakfast accommodation located in the heart of Clarens and is within walking distance of the town’s square. This lovely hotel is perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the serenity of the countryside.
- Corner of Main and Malherbe Streets, Clarens, South Africa
ON-SITE MANAGER: 067 423 5334
Itinerary
20 nov: Day 1
Day 1: Johannesburg to Clarens
- 3.5-hour drive
We will start our journey, leaving from Johannesburg at 10 am, and drive to our hotel in Clarens. We will check in and relax (or scope out the festivities) before we meet for dinner in town. We will have a briefing together after dinner and check that everyone has the necessary equipment and itinerary.
21 nov: Day 2
Day 2: Wodehouse Peak: Golden Gate Highlands National Park
- 11km, 4+ hours
This hike is a climb up and around the mountain, then back down to Mushroom Rock. The views are amazing, and you’ll run into zebras, elands, wildebeests, and other animals once you turn away from the highway (about halfway through the hike).
After the hike we will head back to the hotel to rest and freshen up for the cherry festival activities.
22 nov: Day 3
Cathedral Cave: Golden Gate Highlands National Park
- 6km, +/- 5 hours
We will meet the guide at 7:30 am for an 8:00 am start at the start of the trail.
This is an easy walk: we start near the stables, and it is a 3 km walk outbound with an elevation gain of about 100 m and a 3 km return.
The roof of the cave has partially eroded. A waterfall drops down into an upper pool, with a smaller waterfall into the lower pool. You can swim across the lower pool to a chain ladder to climb up to the upper pool.
After the hike we will again head back to the hotel to return to Johannesburg. People are welcome to stay in town for more cherry festival activities and head home at their leisure.
Get involved
We are a registered non-profit social enterprise that uses adventure to raise funds for the care and well-being of all living creatures. We are a fundraising organisation and identify specific beneficiaries and projects each year that align with our purpose.
General enquiries:
ask@kusudi-la.com
Hiking Club:
hikingclub@kusudi-la.com
Kilimanjaro & Morocco:
stephanie@kusudi-la.com
Call us: +27 82 388 3432