BLOEMFONTEIN: CITY OF ROSES, PLACE OF CHEETAHS
As the capital of the Free State Province and the birthplace of J.R.R. Tolkien, Bloemfontein is situated at the heart of South Africa. It is poetically known as “the city of roses”, because of the abundance of these flowers and its annual rose festival. Its central location makes this city the perfect stopping point for travellers between Johannesburg and Cape Town, via the picturesque N1 route. Bloemfontein serves as a geographical wonder, and offers you a unique mix of activities, sights and hotel options. A lot of attention has been given to the accommodation, restaurant and shopping tourism industries over the past 20 years, and the city has seen the development of many tourism-inspired businesses – many of which offer good specials and deals for travellers.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Bloemfontein’s Sesotho name is Mangaung, which means “place of cheetahs”. And the Cheetah Experience helps the city to live up to its name. You can enjoy a close and personal tour of the sanctuary and see some of nature’s most beautiful animals – including lions, leopards, servals, caracals and wolves. The Cheetah Experience is a must for big cat lovers!
If you want to see more than just big cats, then take a trip to the Bloemfontein Zoo. It’s located in the heart of the city, which makes getting there from your hotel or bed and breakfast very easy. With ample free-roaming space, picnic areas and a wide variety of wild animals, this is the perfect place to spend a day with your family. Here you can see hippos, a variety of primates, snakes, tigers, lions, various bird species and farm animals.
If you are an avid botanist or garden lover, be sure to check out the Orchid House. This circular, glass greenhouse has a beautiful collection of orchids and other exotic flowers and plants. It also has a public park area, which is the ideal place for a family picnic, or a romantic setting for you and someone special.
Enjoy a picture-perfect picnic in the superb atmosphere of the Free State National Botanical Garden. This carefully landscaped and colourful garden on the outskirts of Bloemfontein features paved walkways, nature talks, and moonlight walks. It’s home to 400 species of plants and is an oasis for 144 species of birds, 54 species of reptiles, and about 32 species of mammals. A nature lover’s dream world!
If you like to watch a good game of rugby or football, why not spend an afternoon at the Free State Stadium? It’s home to the Cheetahs rugby and Bloemfontein Celtic football teams. The stadium was originally built for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and was one of the venues during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It’s conveniently located, so you won’t have to travel far from your lodge, hotel or guesthouse.
The Anglo-Boer War (1899 to 1902) between Britain and two Boer Republics in South Africa was a very significant event in the history of the country. The Anglo-Boer War Museum in Bloemfontein will give you some insight into this war through its unique collection of art and exhibits.
Do you want to understand the appearance of modern environments and modern human origins in southern Africa? Then pay a visit to the Florisbad Quaternary Research Station. This fossil-bearing spring mound is situated 45 kilometres northwest of Bloemfontein and is widely known for producing an archaic modern human skull – about 260,000 years old. The mammalian remains from the Florisbad spring (dated between 100,000 and 400,000 years ago) is a group of different artefacts from the Floridian Land Mammal Age. The site is home to three osteological collections and a small educational centre.
How about doing some shopping in largest mall in central South Africa? The Loch Logan Waterfront is an 80,000 m² hub of shopping, entertainment, sport and culture in Bloemfontein. It’s home to major national fashion and convenience chains, as well as a number of exclusive restaurants. The surrounding area also offers you a variety of 5 star hotel, or cheap accommodation options.
No visit to Bloemfontein is complete without a hike up Naval Hill. This geographic wonder dominates the Bloemfontein skyline and stands proudly in the heart of the city. It’s located in the Franklin Game Reserve and provides you with an exquisite panoramic view of Bloemfontein. Naval Hill is well known for its natural beauty and historical significance. Franklin Game Reserve is currently the only nature reserve in the world to be situated in the middle of a city. It was established in 1930 and holds an area of about 250 hectares. Here you will discover amazing African wildlife like giraffe, zebra, eland, blesbok, springbok, as well as an abundance of birds.
WHERE TO STAY
Bloemfontein is not a big city, which means that you can explore its sights and attractions from your hotel or lodge with the greatest of ease. It doesn’t matter if you’ve travelled by train or by plane, everything is close and conveniently located throughout the city.
The city of roses will offer you a unique variety of accommodation choices. Whether you are looking for a 5 star hotel, something more affordable, a guesthouse or the convenience of a b&b, Bloemfontein has something that will suit your needs and your budget.