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- Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Budget Travel in the Free Sate - ever-present windmill is the geographic and agricultural centre of South Africa. by Gerald Crawford Stellenbosch South Africa +27-0720390184
The best time to visit this part of South Africa is in the months of April and May.
This Provice of South Africa is famouse for its `boerekos (traditional Afrikaner farm-style cuisine) and decidedly slower-paced lifestyle.
The Free Sate Province is the third-largest province in South Africa famous for its warm South African hospitality. It has the second-lowest population density, on about 129 480 km2 of land. All the towns display a mix of cultures. You will find the most valued San (Bushman) rock art is found in the Free State. The Free State South Africa offers you open plains between the Vaal and Orange Rivers.
Bloemfontein is the ideal place to start a tour of the Free State. North of Winburg, the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve is a must see, offering a wealth of wildlife, excellent fishing conditions, and a wide range of sports facilities.
Loch Athlone, one of the major attractions of Bethlehem, is a magnet for fresh water fisnerman.
Starting at Harrismith and ending at Zastron, the route is particularly notable for the Golden Gate National Park, beautiful mountain scenery and charming country towns. In the south-west, the Gariep Dam resort offers an extensive range of leisure activities including water sports, tennis, bowling, horse-riding, golf and 13 nature reserves.
This province presents the classic scene of veld, grass-covered prairie land with deep-blue African skies.
The Free Sate is known, locally, as our 'bread basket', the this part of South Africa is cultivated by more than 30 000 farms to produce over 70% of South Africa's grain consumption. It is also home to the most productive gold and diamond mines in the world.
The Free State climate in the summer-rainfall region is warm but can be relatively cold during the winter months.
This Province boasts an extensive system of parks and reserves, including one national park (Golden Gate) and more than 80 provincial, municipal, and privately owned nature parks, nature reserves, game reserves, and game farms. Activities include bird and game viewing, trophy and biltong hunting, hiking, horse-riding, biking, 4x4 off-road driving, camping and climbing.With its wealth of historical and cultural attractions and excellent facilities, Bloemfontein is the ideal place to start a tour of the Free State. North of Winburg, the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve is the Free State's major provincial reserve, offering a wealth of wildlife, excellent fishing conditions, and a wide range of sports facilities. Kroonstad has all you need for a relaxing break, including an excellent holiday resort. Loch Athlone, one of the major attractions of Bethlehem, is a magnet for anglers and those who enjoy pottering around in boats. No visit to the Free State is complete without following the renowned Highlands Route.
Attractions: Motheo (Central Bloemfontein)
Botanical Gardens & Zoo GardensNational MuseumLoch Logan WaterfrontRustfontein Dam and Nature ReserveThaba 'Nchu SunKing's Park & Prince's Rose Garden
Transgariep
Gariep DamJagersfontein Open Mine Museum & Koffiefontein Open Mine Museum The 'Eye' of ZastronMayaputi Nature Reserve
Goldfields
Winburg Voortrekker MonumentWelkom Gold MuseumSaltpans MiningUnderground mine toursWillem Pretorius Game ReservePhakisa Racetrack
Northern Free State
Vredefort Dome - the world’s largest meteorite impact siteViljoenskroon Tractor MuseumFrankfort Sandstone NG Church
Eastern Free State
Golden Gate Highlands National ParkTitanic Rock in Clarens Ficksburg Cherry Festival Bushman rock art Basuto Cultural Village at Qwa-QwaBushman Rock ArtSeekoeivlei Wetlands at Memel
Suggested Travel Route
Day 1: Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein Reyneke Park Motheo Tel: 051 523 3888Fax: 051 523 3887
Day 2: Fauresmith
Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve Transgariep Tel: 051 722 1441Fax: 051 723 0134 Day 3: Ventersburg
Africas Best Aldam Resort GoldfieldsTel: 086 183 6237Fax: 057 652 0014 Day 4 & 5: Parys
Dimalachite Nature Resort and River Lodge Northern Free State Tel: 056 818 1860Fax: 056 818 1854 Day 6 & 7: Clarens
Golden Gate Highland National Park Eastern Free State Tel: 058 255 0012Fax: 058 255 0901 Distances in km from Bloemfontein: Aliwal North 207 km Bethlehem 238 km Clarens 298 km Harrismith 339 km Kimberley 175 km Kroonstad 211 km Sasolburg 344 km Welkom 154 km
We invite you for a visit.
Source:
Gerald Crawford: born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa and the United Kingdom. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: gerald@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za