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Judicial capital of South Africa
Photo: Martin Kozák, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bloemfontein (Fountain of flowers) is popularly and poetically known as "the city of roses", for its abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there. The city hosts numerous museums, including the National Women's Monument, the Anglo-Boer War Museum, the National Museum, and the Oliewenhuis Art Museum.
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Explore the southern skies under dark and clear Free State conditions.
This 70-hectare park is home to about 400 species of plants, largely native to Free State and Northern Cape Provinces and Lesotho. 140 bird species, 50 mammal species, and 50 reptile species live in the park.
The reserve has various wild animals (nothing dangerous) and is located on top of a hill overlooking the centre of the city. There is a driving circuit weaving around the edge of the hill. You can also park the car near the observatory and go for a walk or have a picnic.
Monument commemorating the suffering of some 27,000 Boer women and children who died in British concentration camps during the Second Boer War.
Museum dedicated to the Anglo-Boer Wars of 1899 to 1902.
17 vintage fire engines, cars, bikes steam engines and even ox wagons.
Home to the Florisbad skull.
Outstanding art museum in a beautifully restored Cape-Dutch style house and gardens. Oliewenhuis hosts ever changing temporary displays of contemporary art and photography, whilst upstairs is a more traditional permanent exhibition. There is a very nice cafe in the sculpture garden at the back and is the ideal retreat from the city's sterile shopping malls.
This former residence of presidents of the Orange Free Stare Republic has been restored to what it would have been at the turn of the century.
The SA Armour Museum, on the grounds of Tempe Military Base, exhibits various items dealing specifically with military armour. The SA Armour Museum consists of an indoor-, outdoor-, and reference library area. Some of the more interesting exhibits include South African built apartheid era riot control vehicles, and some old Soviet tanks the South African's captured in Angola.
Exhibitions on the two Boer wars and the apartheid struggle.
formerly Springbok Park
With a capacity of 20,000, this is home to Knights team, representing Free State province.
A pleasant Free State nature reserve close to Bloemfontein. What sets it apart are the lions in the small enclosure in the middle of the park – although the enclosure is big enough to mean that you are not guaranteed to see the cats. The rest of the reserve is pleasant with open plains, wooded areas and a dam – there are no dangerous animals in the main park so walking is allowed. There is a one-day hiking trail which follows the Modder River, easy enough for families with young children.
The place to go. Excellent food in an interesting atmosphere.
There isn't much that is Mexican about this place, except for the big Aztec statue that overlooks the dining area. Seafood and steakhouse. One of the city's more upmarket steakhouses. Fantastic food and service in a beautiful restaurant with a selective bar.
Branch of the popular CTFM chain. Worth the trip into the northern suburbs.
A good choice for breakfast, lunch or a light dinner, and a tad more sophisticated (by Bloemfontein standards) than the chain restaurants in the shopping malls. The only downside is that the terrace overlooks the car park.
One of the better steakhouses in town, although not the best. Not a bad choice for families.
Dorm beds.
Spotlessly clean and functional hotel in a good location equidistant between 2nd Streets restaurants and the Waterfront mall - and Mimosa mall is a 10 minute walk. Secure parking, full English breakfast, en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning and DSTV. A good alternative to the considerably more expensive City Lodge up the road.
Serviced chalets.
Safe parking and accommodation.
A boutique hotel, a good choice if you are with your intended. From R500 per room inc. breakfast.
German-speaking management.
By train
Bloemfontein is a major rail junction in the middle of South Africa, however services have been reduced to trains from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth and East London three times a week.
By car
The N1, N6 and N8 national highways meet in Bloemfontein, making it easily reachable from any part of the country.
By bus
A number of bus services offer connections to major South African cities.
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Bloemfontein · International · BFN
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