Northern Cape and Free State
Northern Cape
The main attraction of the Augrabies Falls National Park is the spectacular Augrabies Falls. Game-viewing drives reveal a variety of bird life and animals such as klipspringers, steenbok, various wildcats and otters. The popular three-day Klipspringer Trail encompasses all the major landmarks in the southern section of the Park, including some amazing rock formations.
The Wonderwerk Cave at Kuruman features extensive San paintings that may be viewed by appointment.
The Big Hole in Kimberley is the largest hand-dug excavation in the world. The Kimberley Tram Service dates from the beginning of the century and still transports passengers from the City Hall to the Mine Museum.
The Orange River Wine Cellars Co-op in Upington offers wine-tasting and cellar tours. The SA Dried Fruit Co-operative is the second largest and one of the most modern of its kind in the world. Tours of the plant are offered.
Hand-built irrigation tunnels at Kakamas are still in use today. The Orange River Wine Cellar Co-op Rockery Route runs between Keimoes and Kakamas.
Kanoneiland is a settlement on the biggest island in the Orange River in the Green Kalahari region. A guided tour of the island is offered.
At Keimoes, the Orange River flows at its widest. The Tierberg Nature Garden offers spectacular views of the Keimoes valley and the many islands in the Orange River. The original irrigation canal system is still in use. The Orange River Wine Cellar Co-op's largest cellar is situated here.
Kenhardt is the oldest town in the Lower Orange River area. The Quiver Tree Forest and Kokerboom Hiking Trail consist of between 4 000 and 5 000 quiver trees. The Verneuk Pan Tourist Route leads visitors to the rare phenomenon of the remains of a permanent San settlement and the track on which Sir Malcolm Campbell once attempted to shatter the landspeed record.
Namaqualand, the land of the Nama and San people, annually puts on a spectacular show in spring. A floral splendour covers vast tracts of desert.
The flowers sprout and survive for a brief period before they wilt and disappear just as suddenly in the face of blistering heat and dry conditions.
Another marvel is the Witsand Nature Reserve about 70 km west of Postmasburg. A 100 m-high dune of brilliant white sand can be seen. It stretches for about 9 km and is about 2 km wide. The dunes are in vivid contrast to the red Kalahari sand, olive green thorns and hazy blue Langberg Mountains.
The province offers several hiking trails, horse trails, mountain biking, canoeing, white-river rafting and combination trails.
Free State
Bloemfontein
The Eerste Raadsaal (First Parliament Building) was built in 1849 as a school. It is Bloemfontein's oldest surviving building still existing in its original condition and is still in use as seat of the Provincial Legislature.
The National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre houses a repository of works by prominent Afrikaans authors. Exhibits in the Afrikaans Music Museum and the Theatre Museum (part of the Centre) include old musical instruments, sheet music, costumes, photographs and furniture.
The National Museum is notable for its wide collection of fossils, cultural-historical exhibits and archaeological displays, including the Florisbad skull, which was discovered in the Thirties at the Florisbad spring, about 50 km north of Bloemfontein.
The National Women's Memorial is a sandstone obelisk, 36.5 m high, which commemorates the women and children who died in concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer/South African War. The War Museum not only gives the visitor insight into the War through its unique art collection, dioramas and exhibits, but also brings the visitor closer to understanding the background against which the War took place. Visitors are also afforded a glimpse into the life in the concentration and prisoner-of-war camps. The research library contains an extensive collection of Africana.
The Old Presidency dates back to 1885 and was the official residence of three Presidents of the former Republic of the Orange Free Sate. The Presidency houses a museum depicting their respective terms of office, and a cultural centre for art exhibitions, theatrical productions and musical events.
King's Park Rose Garden was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1925 and contains over 4 000 rose bushes.
Transgariep region
Bethulie used to be a London Missionary Society station, and the original mission buildings still stand. The Pellissier House Museum depicts the history of events in the area.
The Gariep Dam, more than 100 km long and 15 km wide, is part of the Orange River Water Scheme. Situated between the Dam and Bethulie lies the Gariep Dam Nature Reserve. On the southern side of the Dam lies the Oviston Nature Reserve.
Philippolis was founded as a London Missionary Society station in 1824 and was the first mission station in the province. A Witblits festival is held every April.
The Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve reputedly supports more game than any other sanctuary in the Free State. It is reserved for hunters in autumn and winter.
Trails in the region include horse trails, hikes, mountain-bike trails and day walks.
Eastern Highlands region
The Basotho Cultural Village in the QwaQwa National Park is a living museum where visitors can witness the Sotho traditions and lifestyles in the chief's kraal.
The period 1999 - 2002 sees the commemoration of the Anglo-Boer/South African War that took place from 1899 -1902. The National Women's Memorial and War Museum in Bloemfontein, as well as places of interest all over the Free State, are worth a visit for people interested in the War. These include:
- Onze Rust, farm of former President of the Orange Free State, MT Steyn
- Brandfort, where a monument for black people who died in concentration camps was erected
- Battle sites at Sannaspos and Paardeberg as well as various others throughout the province.
Clocolan is known for its cherry trees, whose blossoms provide a spectacular sight in spring. San rock paintings and engravings are found in the area.
Clarens is often described as 'the jewel of the Free State', owing to the spectacular scenery. San paintings are found on farms in the area. Close by, the Highlands Route meanders along the foothills of the Maluti Mountains.
Ficksburg is known for its cherry and asparagus farms. A cherry festival is held annually in November. The town is a gateway to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is known for its beautiful scenery and is a very popular holiday destination. A vulture restaurant enables visitors to observe these scavengers closely. San paintings can be viewed.
The Highlands Route follows the Lesotho border via Ladybrand and ends at Zastron in the south. San caves and rock art are some of the main features of the Route.
The Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve is listed as a Wetland of International Importance and is home to endangered bird species such as the blue crane and wattled crane.
Riemland region
Bethlehem lies on the banks of the Jordaan River and was founded by the Voortrekkers during the 1840s. The museum in Miller Street depicts the history of the area. The banks of the Jordaan River form part of the Pretoriuskloof Nature Reserve - a sanctuary for birds and small game.
Van Reenen's Pass winds through the Drakensberg and was originally used by migrating herds of zebra, hartebeest, blesbok and wildebeest. The Llandaff Oratory in the nearby village of Van Reenen is thought to be the smallest Roman Catholic church in the world. At Harrismith there are various memorials in honour of those who fought in the Anglo-Boer/South African War and World War I. Of particular interest is a memorial for the Scots Guards and Grenadier Guards. Platberg, the 2 394-m 'flat mountain', is the town's landmark. A famous race, claimed by some to be the toughest in the country, is run annually up, along and back down the mountain. Sterkfontein Dam is ideal for water sports and fishing. Other attractions include the Kerkenberg Monument and Harrismith Wildflower Gardens.
The Riemland Museum in Heilbron depicts the heritage and the agricultural activities of the region.
The QwaQwa district is a traditional home to the Southern Sotho people. Karakul carpets, mohair, wall hangings, copper, glassware and brass are made and sold at Phuthaditjhaba. The Metsi Matsho and Fika Patso dams are renowned for trout-fishing.
Sasolburg originated in 1954 with the establishment of Sasol, the synthetic fuel producer company.
Welkom is known for its gold-mines. It is also the only city in the country that makes use of traffic circles instead of traffic lights.
Winburg is the oldest town and first capital of the former Republic of the Orange Free State. The Voortrekker Museum, using life-size models, depicts the daily routine of the trekkers. A concentration camp cemetery is situated close by.