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Overview:

Ranging from cultural and historical diversions to game parks and facilities, the Free State is full of possibilities. The Free State is also known as the Cinderella province of South Africa and for good reason; boasting 340 days of sunshine a year, combined with its beautiful rolling hills, sandstone mountains and wide plains, it is the perfect place for vacations at all times of the year.  The outdoorsman will love this beautiful province with a wide range of water sports, hiking trails and adventure activities there is plenty for every enthusiast.

Climate:

The Free State has fairly typical weather of an interior plateau, with loads of sunshine, hot summers and chilly winters. The East of the Free State, however has mountains covered in snow during the winter and flourishing valleys in the summer. Its full of the surprises of nature.

'© South African Tourism

Top Destinations:

Bloemfontein

Afrikaans and Dutch for "spring of Bloem (bloom)", "flower spring" or "fountain of flowers" is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa as well as one of the nation's three capitals, being the judicial capital.

The city's Sesotho name is Mangaung, meaning "place of cheetahs" and became part of the Mangaung Local Municipality in 2000. Bloemfontein is popularly and poetically known as "the city of roses", owing to the abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there.

The city is situated on dry grassland at, at an altitude of 1,395 metres above sea level. The city is home to 369,568 residents, while the Mangaung Local Municipality has a population of 645,455. Bloemfontein is served by Bloemfontein airport.

Harrismith

Harrismith is a large town situated on the N3 highway in the Free State province of South Africa between Johannesburg (about 350 km from Johannesburg) and Durban. Named after a British Govenor, Sir Harry Smith, this important crossroads in South Africa's land trade routes is surrounded by mesas and buttes and located at base of one of these called 'Platberg'.

Most people only know it as a convenient refuelling stop for trucks, vehicles and people but it does have much more to offer. Located in the foothills of the Drakensberg, it is close to the Northern Berg ("mountain" translated from Afrikaans) and the Amphitheatre and Mont-Aux-Sources are easily accessible from here.

Main Attractions:

Transgariep Area

The Transgariep Area boasts a vast historical heritage and many places of interest, one of these being the Gariep Dam. The great Orange River forms the Southern boundary of the Free State and flows in to the Gariep Dam. Known as the inland sea, this enormous dam provides many opportunities for water sports for the adventurous and resorts along the banks.

Basotho Cultural Village

Nestled in the heart of the Qwaqwa National Park the cultural village takes you for a walk down the pathway of time. The lifestyle and architecture of South Sotho is beautifully and accurately depicted from the sixteenth century in this cultural village.

Wildlife

There are more than 80 provincial, municipal and privately owned nature parks, game farms and reserves providing the wildlife lover with many opportunities to witness all that the Free State has to offer. There are beautiful botanical gardens consisting of over 100 bird species and a mix of indigenous and planted habitats.