Free State: Mountains, Geology and History

In the Free State, nature experiences range from the foothills of the Maluti Mountains to an extraordinary geological formation. There are also gardens and museums in Bloemfontein, as well as other activities in the region. When planning your trip, it’s worth first considering whether you’d like to focus on landscapes and outdoor activities, geology or history.

Mountain Scenery and Trails in the Northeast

In the northeast of the Free State, Golden Gate Highlands National Park lies in the gently rising foothills of the Maluti Mountains. Activities in the park include hiking, horseback riding and exploring caves. The landscape offers various ways to spend time outdoors—on foot, on horseback or taking in the views of the caves. The park can be reached via the R712, east of Clarens in the eastern Free State; then follow the signs to the park.

Another hiking option is the Bushman’s Cave Hiking Trail near Fouriesburg. The trail passes San rock art, views across Lesotho, an unfinished castle on a steep cliff and an old fort. The area’s diverse birdlife is also one of the trail’s features. The sequence of rock art, views and historic buildings makes this hike a different kind of nature experience from the activities at Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

Geology and Natural Diversity

The Vredefort Dome is the oldest and largest known meteorite impact structure on Earth. High-quality, accessible geological exposures reveal the complex structure of the impact. This offers a distinct focus for trip planning: rather than a hike or horseback ride, the emphasis here is on geology. Those interested in how landscapes form and what they are made of will find a special reason to include this part of the Free State in their trip.

On the outskirts of Bloemfontein lie the Free State National Botanical Gardens. They are home to more than 400 plant species from the region, over 50 reptile species and more than 140 bird species. These figures give an idea of the diversity of the collections and wildlife-watching opportunities. Compared with the mountain and hiking landscapes, the gardens offer a different way to experience nature, with plants, reptiles and birds taking centre stage.

Museums and History in Bloemfontein

The Anglo-Boer War Museum in Bloemfontein provides insights into the background of the Anglo-Boer War through a unique art collection, dioramas and exhibitions. It also offers a glimpse into life and suffering in concentration and prisoner-of-war camps. Art, three-dimensional displays and exhibitions provide different ways to explore this historical subject.

The Old Presidency Museum in Bloemfontein also tells the story of the region’s political history. From 1886 to 1900, the building was the official residence of the three presidents of the Republic of the Orange Free State. In 1984, it was converted into a museum and opened to the public. Together with the Anglo-Boer War Museum, it shows how history can be presented in different ways: through the story of a building and its former function, as well as through exhibitions about a war and its consequences.

Getting Around Between Activities and Destinations

The Maloti Drakensberg Route is a self-drive tourism route that includes parts of the Free State. It provides a guide for travellers who want to explore the region by car. Canoeing is another activity available at Gariep Dam. Its dam wall contains 13 kilometres of passageways and halls—another distinctive feature of the dam that sets it apart from the natural and cultural attractions elsewhere.

You can choose accommodation to suit your planned interests without combining nature, culture and driving activities into a single itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Motheo, Lejweleputswa, Thabo Mofutsanyane, Fezile Dabi, Northern Free State, Xhariep, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape.

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