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FREE STATE PROVINCE
This tranquil land is the geographic and agricultural centre of South Africa. However, The Free State is fast becoming a tourist destination in its own right. Famous for its warm South African hospitality, `boerekos’ (traditional Afrikaner farm-style cuisine) and decidedly slower-paced lifestyle, this province has become a draw-card for holiday-makers intent on exploring small-town South Africa. Known, locally, as South Africa's 'bread basket', the Free State is cultivated by more than 30 000 farms to produce over 70% of South Africa's grain consumption. It is also home to the most productive gold and diamond mines in the world.
The Free State lies in the heart of South Africa, with the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho nestling in the hollow of its bean-like shape. Between the Vaal River, in the north, and the Orange River, in the south, this immense rolling prairie stretches as far as the eye can see. Formerly known as the Orange Free State, this province has had its share of battles – most importantly, perhaps, the Anglo Boer War.
The Free State is the third-largest province in South Africa. However, it has the second-smallest population and the second-lowest population density, housing some 2,8 million people on about 129 480 km2 of land. There is a wide mix of cultures and people living in this laid-back province.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
City Centre
The province’s capital, Bloemfontein, has a well-established institutional, educational and administrative infrastructure, and houses the Supreme Court of Appeal. The province has a well-known university (Free State University) and many other training institutions.
Eco-tourism
The Free State Province boasts an extensive system of parks and reserves, including one national park (Golden Gate) and more than 80 provincial, municipal, and privately owned nature parks, nature reserves, game reserves, and game farms.
Activities include bird and game viewing, hiking, horse-riding, biking, 4x4 off-road driving, camping and climbing.
Routes
The Free State has much to offer the tourist in search of insight and adventure. As a result, various tourist routes have been suitably packaged to meet the needs of the on-the-road traveller.
The Maluti Route: This route follows the scenic Highlands of the Free State and over the border into the magnificent Maluti Mountains of Lesotho and ends at the Seekoelvlei Nature Reserve.
The Goldfields Route: Follow the fascinating history of the many gold mines of the Lejweleputswa area.
BBT Heritage Route: Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu are in close geographical relationship to each other and, yet, have an extreme diverse cultural and political heritage.
Diamond & Wine Route: Follow the route of the diamond prospectors of the past and present. A man-made diamond hole at Jagersfontein of 760m beats the better-known Big Hole of Kimberley for size. Also visit the wine cellars of Landzicht and Wilreza in the scenic Jacobsdal area.
Steam Train Route: Steam train enthusiasts can take a trip down memory lane, along the historic Bethlehem-Bloemfontein Railroad to destinations such as Maseru and Ladybrand.
The Battlefield Route:The province contains many historic sites related to the Anglo-Boer War, including 13 battlefield sites, 8 military monuments, 2 war museums and 3 war and concentration camp cemeteries.
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Golden Gate is famous for its ‘Mountains of Gold’ – where the famous ochre and gold sandstone outcrops offer up some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The Gold Gate Highlands National Park is an area of highveld and montane grassland, covering 12 000 hectares. The park is well-stocked with eland, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, blesbok and zebra.
Smalltown Splendour
The beautiful town of Clarens lies just west of the Maluti mountain range and is the perfect country retreat. Known as the `jewel of the Free State’, Clarens is very popular with the artistic community and there are loads of B&B’s and guesthouses in the area.
Fossil Hunting
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, dinosaur eggs or dinosaur teeth.
Rock Art
Throughout the Maluti mountains, one can find caves and cracks where the San people took shelter. Countless examples of historic rock-art are to be seen at Spitskop (Brandfort district), Sterkstroom (between Rouxville and Aliwal North), Stowlands (near Christiana), Tandjesberg (close to Clarens and Golden Gate), Sterkstroom (between Rouxville and Aliwal North) and at Stowlands (near Christiana).
Watersports
The Free State has three major watersports venues: the Vaal River (northern Free State); Gariep Dam (the largest dam in the country) and Sterkfontein Dam (near Harrismith). Activities such as fishing, camping, and watersports can be arranged on request.
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