Free State

National parks

Other nature reserves

• , near Caledon
• , just outside Theunissen
• Gariep Dam Nature Reserve, at Gariep Dam
• , close to Fauresmith
• , near Bloemhof
• Soetdoring Nature Reserve, just outside Bloemfontein
• , outside Bethulie
• , near Ventersburg
• , near Harrismith
• , near Harrismith

The former Oranje-Vrystaat (Orange Free State) was the heartland of the white Afrikaner population and therefore most people in this region speak Afrikaans, although the majority have SeSotho as mother tongue. It was one of the first independent states, before joining the South African Union, and the people here still live up to the Voortrekker traditions of braaing. The rich soil and pleasant climate allow a thriving agricultural industry. With more than 30,000 farms, which produce over 70% of the country's grain, it is known locally as South Africa's breadbasket.
Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of South Africa, mainly because the founders of the Union of South Africa wanted to unite all people, including the Afrikaner population.
The Free State is an important agricultural area in South Africa, with beef and maize the primary products.

Afrikaans is still the first language of many, but most will definitely understand and speak English. Be prepared for understanding through the accent.

By car

• The N1 highway runs through the Free State. It comes from Cape Town and goes further to Johannesburg and Pretoria and from there to Harare in Zimbabwe. Use this route when coming from/going to Mozambique, too.
• The N3 runs in the east of the Free State through Harrismith. Use it to go to Durban or the Gauteng area.
• The N8 goes from Bloemfontein to Kimberley and further to Upington.
• The N6 goes south to the Eastern Cape

The N5 only serves as a connection between the N1 and the N3.

By plane

Bloemfontein Airport (BFN) has flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town and some other cities in South Africa. Flights are operated by the South African Airways family.

Best by car, as there are little means of public transport and great distances between each of the towns and cities.
The traffic police is very active, especially on the N1 - keep to the speed limit!

• Bloemfontein
• The Gariep Dam one of the biggest dams in South Africa
• Golden Gate Highlands Park -- Famous park in the north of the Drakensberg Mountains

• Rock Climbing

Always have enough water with you, in case your car has a break down. Tell your last hotel where you are going to and which route you use, especially when going into a less populated and rural area.

• North-west are Kimberley with its diamond museum and Upington near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
• South-west lies Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route.
• North-east is Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park.
• South-east is Durban and the Sunshine Coast.