Activities : Free State

Packages in the Free State region

Safari Lodges in the Free State region

Orange comes to mind for the older South Africans, the old name has gone with the same old concept of "there is nothing to do" in the Freestate Province! This has indeed changed! The five sub-regions lying between the Vaal and Orange Rivers offer their dams, tributaries and the most important asset, water - richly exploited in the wildlife reserves and holiday and pleasure resorts recent construction.

With the anticipation ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the prescribed 6 games to be held in Mangaung (Bloemfontein) , the tourism influx is sure to hit the towns surrounding. Be one of the first and join the conversation around the worlds greatest sport spectacle on earth!

The Free State offers a variety of adventure, culture, sports and arts and crafts throughout the regions. It is also the recreational heaven for any water sport enthusiast along the vaal river and various dams.

Herewith the highlights and attractions of the Free State:

Vredefort Dome - where over 2000 million years ago a meteorite as big as table mountian struck the earth, resulting in an impact structure 90km wide, being the largest and oldest in the world and declared yet another one of South Africa`s World Heritage sites
Golden Gate Highlands National Park - spectacular scenic beauty. The park gets its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the spectacular sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag or Sentinel Rock, which keeps vigil over the park.
Clarens - Arts and crafts amble. Check out our new Clarens packages
Lions Rock Lion Sanctuary - in Bethlehem run by FOUR PAWS ( animal welfare organisation)
Xhariep Dam Nature Reserve -varied landscape provides exciting sailing experiences and all kinds of water sports are very popular.
Bloemfontein Botanical Gardens
Basotho Cultural Village
Free State Goldfields
Sterkfontein Dam - kite surfers paradise!
Vaal Dam - for watersport enthusiasts!

At the heart of South Africa is the landlocked Freestate Province primarily divided in three main areas that are:

• Free State and Central
• Diamond Fields
• Eastern Highlands

A quick focus on the facts of the FREE STATE

1. Languages spoken in the Free State are Sesotho, Afrikaans and isiXhosa
2. The Free State has a population of 2.8 million and covers an area of 129 480km2 which makes up 10.6% of the total land available in South Africa

The simple fact is that the Free State will provide you with a lead into how wonderful this unpopulated area is and the array of true adventure activities in which you can participate.

• Gliding near Ventersburg
• Horse Safaris near Ficksburg - Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve
• River Rafting and White Water Rafting near Clarens
• River Rafting and White Water Kayaking on the Vaal River
• Shore Fishing near Vrede
• Trout Fishing in Clarens
• Golf Courses
• Cycling Tours both off-road or tarred roads and farms
• White Mischief Cruising a waterway outside Ficksburg enjoy game viewing and excellent cuisine
• Quad biking the Maluti Mountains, close to Clarens
• Hot Air Ballooning from Parys
• The Vredefort Dome - visit the oldest and largest meteorite excavation in the world
• Racing at Phakisa Track
• Lions Rock Lion Sanctuary and game drives

To find out more information on mentioned activities on offer in the Free State area including the more highlighted attractions such as the Vaal River, Clarens and Ficksburg, where conference and teambuilding venues to family retreats both catered and self catered are hot on the list. 

Some important happenings in the Free State for 2010/2011 are:

• January - March:
• April - May:  Easter / Mothers Day /Moratuwa MTB Race /Clarens  Cycle lab race/The Crater 24-hours Jakkalsdraai
• September: Vrede Paddadors / Berg Bohaai / Asparagus Festival / Dirty Harry MTB/ 10-day Mangaung African Cultural Festival /Aardklop Arts Festival
• November: Ficksburg Cherry Festival

So Ke Nako! Now is the time...

Contact our helpful African Chapter Team for personalised service. Tell us what your interests are and we will find the most suitable location including accommodation to make a weekend of it, as we make an art of tailormaking your specific requirements!

^ top