SECTION 4: CITY GUIDES | < BACK | NEXT >

4.9 BLOEMFONTEIN

The Free State's provincial capital and judicial capital, Bloemfontein, or Bloem to locals, is rich in history with fine examples of late 19th and early 20th century buildings as well as museums and monuments. Known as the "city of roses" Bloemfontein is one of the few cities in the world where you can spot wildlife in the centre of the city, in the Franklin Game Reserve.

Bloemfontein Restaurant Guide: www.wininganddining.co.za/freestate/bloemfontein
What’s on in Bloemfontein: ( 051 405 8489/490, www.bloemfontein.co.za.

Activity opportunities around Bloemfontein:

SHOPPING
 
Orgasmic farmers' market every Saturday morning, Bankofs Boulevard, Langenhoven Park. This farmers' market is jam-packed with fresh fruit and veggies and you're sure to find the best biltong and dry wors in the country on sale. Find out how to buy and prepare a “Skilpad” or “Pofadder”

Loch Logan Waterfront
Loch Logan Waterfront and surrounding areas form the entertainment and leisure hub of Bloemfontein.  It includes the rugby, cricket and athletics stadiums.  The tranquil setting incorporates the natural beauty of the surroundings as well as commercial flair. ( 051 448 3607 www.lochlogan.co.za

OUTDOOR
Franklin Game Reserve is located on Naval Hill in the centre of the city and offers an escape into nature with its wildlife, abundant bird species, and indigenous flora. Be cautious when visiting the reserve at night.

King's Park, on Parfitt Avenue, was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1925 and has more than 4000 rose trees in its rose garden.

Cheetah Experience, visitors have a chance to interact safely with hand reared orphan felines. ( 072 905 3457

Orchid House are sure to impress. Entrance is free and the doors open at 10h00 and close at 16h00 Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays until 17h00. ( 051 405 8488

Free State National Botanical Garden has, besides the obvious, a medicinal plant garden and walking trails.
( 051 436 3530, www.sanbi.org.

Bains Game Lodge and Bush Pub is a good place to drink a beer and try some traditional food.
( 051 451 1761, www.bainsgamelodge.co.za.

Soetdoring Nature Reserve and Predator Park makes a great day trip. Take binoculars for some of Bloemfontein's best birding. ( 051 433 9002.

HISTORIC & MUSEUMS

Fantasy World JRR Tolkien lived in Bloemfontein for the first three years of his life, probably the most impressionable time. The characters of the Hobbit are based on real people whose decedents still haunt Bloemfontein. ( 051 447 0663 or 083 305 8434 www.hobbit.co.za.

Anglo Boer War Museum on Monument Road for insight into the 1899-1902 war. Nearby, the 1913 National Women's Memorial, commemorates the 26 000 women and children who died in British concentration camps during the Anglo Boer War. For both contact ( 051 447 3447, web www.angloboer.co.za.

Bloemfontein National Museum. Completed in 1912, it houses well maintained and engaging anthropological and cultural displays, as well as natural history & astronomy installations. ( 051 447 9609, www.nasmus.co.za.

ADVENTURE

Skydiving ( 051 451 1143 Email: tandemskydive@gmail.com
Hot air ballooning ( 083 446 9423 Email: info@hotairballooningsa.co.za

NIGHTLIFE

The Mystic Boer is Bloem's most popular pub and live music venue. ( 051 430 2206 www.diemysticboer.co.za.

Cool Runnings ( 051 430 7364 has live bands and DJs at weekends.

Sand du Plessis Theatre ( 051 447 7771) holds performances of live music, ballet, drama and opera.

GETTING AROUND

Car hire
Africa-Car-Hire.com ( 078 669 4444
Europcar ( 051 448 4530.
Tempest Car Hire ( 051 433 2146.
Sixt ( 051 433 3577.
Avis ( 051 433 2331.
Safaris: ( 021 780 1391 www.egnu.com

| < BACK | NEXT >