Flanked between the magnificent Orange and Vaal Rivers lies the Free State, a province in South Africa blessed with spectacular natural beauty, warm hospitality and charming towns.
Flat? The Free State Province? You’ve got to be kidding! Adventurers who’ve explored the Moolmanshoek or Golden Gate (up in the north-eastern corner of the province) will be quick to counter such a ‘flat earth’ fallacy. Nonetheless, it does rate as one of South Africa’s Cinderella Provinces when it comes to tourism, but only to the uninitiated. With its easy-to-reach central location within the country and a fresh take on outdoor activities, perceptions are sure to change.
Free State Province regions where adventure has boomed in the past decade includes Bloemfontein, where everything from sky-diving to singletrack riding have become ‘de rigueur’ required by etiquette or current fashion. Venture to the Thabo Mofutsanyana region, and you’ll soon come face-to-face with gravity along the slopes of Harrismith’s Platberg. In the vicinity of Clarens - often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Free State’ - the picturesque Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
The Gariep Dam rates as a personal favourite spot; the extensive nature reserve surrounding this man made lake is a treasure trove of note for outdoor addicts. Plus there is the Dome Conservancy to add to your destination list.
The Free State is a rural province, but spectacular to say the least. The Free State Province is encompassed by wide horizons, farmland, mountains, golf fields and charming towns. Even though the Free State is the third largest province in South Africa, it has the second smallest population and the second lowest population density.
The capital of the Free State Province is Bloemfontein, the educational, administrative and commercial heart of the province. Bloemfontein is also the judicial capital of South Africa, housing the seat of the Provincial Government, as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal. Other important areas to note are Welkom, the heart of the Goldfields, Bethlehem, Sasolburg, Ladybrand, Parys and Botshabelo.
South Africa's landlocked Orange Free State Province is the brunt of many jokes, particularly concerning the absolute flatness of so much of...
Conflict in the Cape colony between the British and the predominantly Dutch farmers (Boers) that had settled there to supply the Dutch East ...
Towns such as Ladybrand in the eastern Free State highlands have a reputation for fine old dressed-sandstone buildings....
Flanked between the magnificent Orange and Vaal Rivers lies the Free State, a province in South Africa blessed with spectacular natural beau...