In the northeast of the Free State lie the gently rising foothills of the Maluti Mountains. This is where you’ll find Golden Gate Highlands National Park, whose location places the region’s mountainous landscape centre stage. The park offers various ways to experience it: you can hike, ride horses and explore caves. This brings opportunities for both activity and landscape discovery, without reducing the park to a single pursuit.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park is accessible via the R712, east of Clarens in the eastern Free State; then follow the signs to the park. The Maloti Drakensberg Route offers a different perspective on the region. It is a self-drive tourist route that includes parts of the Free State.
Hiking trails and special views
Near Fouriesburg, the Bushman’s Cave Hiking Trail passes San rock art. Other highlights along the trail include views across Lesotho, an unfinished castle on a steep cliff, an old fort and a diverse birdlife. Rock art, structures, scenery and birdwatching give the trail several distinct facets. If these subjects interest you, you’ll find more here to draw you into the hike than just a single viewpoint.
Insights into geological history
The Vredefort Dome turns the focus to the geological history of the Free State. It is the oldest and largest known meteorite impact structure on Earth. The Dome contains high-quality, accessible geological outcrops that provide evidence of a complex meteorite impact structure. This makes the site a distinctive counterpart to the region’s landscape and cultural attractions: here, the traces of a massive impact take centre stage.
Museums and nature in Bloemfontein
In Bloemfontein, the Anglo-Boer War Museum explores the background to the Anglo-Boer War through its unique art collection, dioramas and exhibitions. It also offers insight into life and suffering in concentration and prisoner-of-war camps. The Old Presidency Museum tells another chapter of history: from 1886 to 1900, the building was the official residence of the three presidents of the Republic of the Orange Free State. In 1984, it was converted into a museum and opened to the public.
The Free State National Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of Bloemfontein offer a different focus. They are home to over 400 plant species from the region, over 50 reptile species and over 140 bird species. While the museums convey history through art, dioramas and exhibitions, the gardens offer insight into the diversity of plant and animal species. This brings cultural and natural discoveries together in Bloemfontein.
Another look at the Free State
Canoe trips are available at Gariep Dam. The dam wall also contains 13 kilometres of passageways and halls. These two details point to different aspects of the site: an activity on the water and the scale of the dam wall. If you’re planning a canoe trip, check availability in advance.
The Free State therefore offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: mountain landscapes and activities in Golden Gate Highlands National Park, geological outcrops at the Vredefort Dome, and museums and nature in Bloemfontein. The subjects that interest you most can help guide your choice of accommodation and what to explore in the region.
Discover more destinations: Thabo Mofutsanyane, Xhariep, Motheo, Lejweleputswa, Fezile Dabi, Northern Free State, Northwest, Limpopo.
For the broader travel overview: South Africa.
