Free State

South_Africa

Large areas of the Free State are dedicated to farming

The Free State Province is situated in the heartland of the Karoo semi-desert of South Africa.

  • Bloemfontein.
  • Harrismith.
  • Kroonstad.
  • Parys.
  • Vredefort.
  • Ladybrand.
  • Clarens.
  • Welkom.

Bloemfontein.

Harrismith.

Kroonstad.

Parys.

Vredefort.

Ladybrand.

Clarens.

Welkom.

Golden Gate Highlands Park.

Caledon Nature Reserve., near [[Caledon (Western Cape)|Caledon]]

Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve., just outside [[Theunissen]]

Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve., close to [[Fauresmith]]

Sandveld Nature Reserve., near [[Bloemhof]]

Tussen-die-Riviere Game Reserve., outside [[Bethulie]]

Tweefontein Nature Reserve.

Willem Pretorius Game Reserve., near [[Ventersburg]]

Qwa-Qwa Park., near [[Harrismith]]

Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve., 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.

  • 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.