QwaQwa National Park, Nature reserve in Free State, South Africa

QwaQwa National Park is a conservation area in Free State that covers grasslands and sandstone cliffs at the base of the Maluti Mountains. The park connects with Golden Gate Highlands to form a larger protected zone preserving diverse habitats and rock formations.

The area is the historical home of the Bakoena and Batlokoa peoples. In 1984 the South African Development Trust bought land north and northwest of QwaQwa to ease overcrowding. The remaining trust land was proclaimed QwaQwa National Park in January 1992 under section 18(1) of the Qwaqwa Nature Conservation Act (No. 5) of 1976, and the park was reincorporated into Free State province in 1994.

The place holds strong ties to the Basotho people, with nearby traditional settlements offering views of how communities organized daily life and practiced crafts for generations. Walking through these areas, visitors can observe architectural styles and farming methods that shaped the landscape.

The site is reached via the R712 Golden Gate Road from the surrounding region. Visitors should prepare for varying trail conditions and bring sturdy footwear and water, especially when planning longer walks through the hillier sections.

The park was proclaimed in January 1992 under section 18(1) of the Qwaqwa Nature Conservation Act (No. 5) of 1976, on land the South African Development Trust had bought north and northwest of QwaQwa in 1984. Its 22,000 hectares were fenced until the barriers came down to let 3,000 game animals move freely.