Sightseeing in Bloemfontein – attractions, museums & game parks
Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by admin in Bloemfontein
Despite being only small, Bloemfontein and its surrounds boast plenty to attract visitors. From national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty to national museums and fascinating art galleries, Bloemfontein has something for everyone. There is also a zoo and various tranquil gardens and game parks to enjoy. Check out JF’s guide to attractions in Bloemfontein for the full run down.
Wildlife and nature:
The Roses
The name Bloemfontein means ‘spring of flowers’ and the city certainly lives up to its name. There are thousands of rose bushes scattered around and city and Kings Park is home to thousands of rose trees. Many houses around Bloemfontein also both breathtakingly beautiful gardens.
Bloemfontein Zoo
Parks and Cemeteries Building, Zola Budd Street, Bloemfontein, Tel: +27 (0)51 405 8483, Email: daryl.barnes@mangaung.co.za
Bloemfontein Zoo is a great attraction with tigers, panthers, hippos, apes and elephants in pleasant and well kept surroundings. There is also a small collection of the infamous Ligers here (a cross between a lion and a tiger) and many different species of bird.
Caledon Nature Reserve
About 15Kms south of Wepener on R701
The Caledon Nature Reserve is about 120kms southeast of Bloemfontein but is one of the area’s biggest attractions. The Caledon River and the Welbedacht Dam can be found here and hiking and angling are popular activities. You can also take a 4×4 around the reserve if you’re feeling lazy and really get to know the 2,300 hectare park. The two floating bush camps are popular spots for those wanting to get away from it all and everything from zebras to eagles can be seen here.
Franklin Nature Reserve
Naval Hill, Bleomfontein, Opening times: 8am-5pm daily
Franklin Nature Reserve is a 250 hectare plot of indigenous wildlife and animals, including zebra, springbok, giraffes, antelopes and blesbok. It is unique in the fact that it is the only nature reserve of its kind to be found without the confines of a city.
Free State National Botanical Gardens
Rayton Road, Bloemfontein, Tel: +27 (0)51 436 3612
Just to the northwest of Bloemfontein lies the 70 hectares of the Free State National Botanical Gardens. The beautiful valley boasts many unusual tree species such as orange blossom arbour, wild olive and dolerite koppies. All in all there are around 400 species of plants with a meandering path running between them. There are also many birds and reptiles living in the gardens and a well-stocked library with cuttings of indigenous trees and plants for sale. Moonlit walks and summer concerts are also held here.
Soetdoring Dam Nature Reserve
Off R64, northwest of Bloemfontein
The Soetdoring Nature Reserve is a great place for game viewing, angling, picnicking and braai days. The majestic Modder River and the Krugerdrift Dam can be found in the park as well as gemsbok, black wildebeest, zebra, eland and springbok.There are also African wild cats, otters, water mongoose and many species of bird including fish eages which breed in the park. Visitors can enjoy angling, boating and waterskiing on the river and there is also a lion park where night excursions can be booked.
The Orchid House
Hamilton Park, Naval Hill, Bloemfontein, Opening times: 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm on weekends
The Bloemfontein orchid House is home to the largest collection of orchids in South Africa. The botanical displays are very impressive and the gardens are also a nice tranquil spot in which to spend an afternoon.
Landmarks and museums:
Naval Hill
Off Union Avenue, Bloemfontein, Opening times: 8am-5pm daily
Naval Hill is home to the Franklin Nature Reserve but is also an attraction in itself with its great views of Bloemfontein. The former Lamont Hussey Observatory has now been converted into a theatre and a sculpture of a white horse to the east of the hill was created in the Boer War and is a landmark for the British cavalry.
National Museum Bloemfontein
36 Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein, Tel: +27 (0)51 447 9609, Opening times: 8am-5pm Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday, 12noon-5:30pm Sunday
Established in 1877, the National Museum boasts a great display of rarities from across the world with a focus on natural history, science and art. There are dinosaur skeletons, live snakes, a working beehive and life-sized models of elephants. There is also a large collection of fossils, bushman displays and a fully-functioning Victorian restaurant.
Oliewenhuis Art Museum
16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein, Tel: +27 (0)51 447 9609, Opening times: 8am-5pm Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday and 1pm-5pm Sunday
Oliewenhuis Art Museum is only 13 years old but already has a very impressive collection. The first floor features only South African art, including work by Wilem Coetzer, Pieter Wenning, Thomas Baines and Jan Ernst Volschenk but the list of artists is constantly expanding.
The First Raadsaal
95 St George Street, Bloemfontein, Tel: +27 (0)51 447 9609, Opening times: 10am-13pm Monday to Friday, 2pm-5pm on weekends
The First Raadsaa; is housed in Bloemfontein’s oldest building. Originally a school, the little thatched building was also later a Volksraad meeting place and a church. There is now a small but impressive display here on the history of Bloemfontein.
The Fourth Raadsaal
President Brand Street, opposite the Court of Appeal, Bloemfontein
The Fourth Raadsaal is one of the nicest buildings in Bloemfontein, built in 1893 in Renaissance-style red brick. It has sweeping columns and a prominent dome and was home to the last session of parliament of the old Boer republic. After the occupation of British forces in 1900, the building became a seat of the Provincial Council of the Free State province. There is a statue of a Boer War general, Christiaan de Wet outside.
The National Afrikaans Literary Museum
President Brand Street, Old Government Building, Bloemfontein, Tel: +27 (0)51 4054034, Email: naln@sac.fs.gov.za, Opening times: 7:30am-12:15 and 1pm-4pm Monday to Friday, 9am-12 noon Saturday, closed Sunday
The National Afrikaans Musuem is housed in the 1908 Old Government Building along with a huge collection of African manuscripts, photographs and books. There is also a museum of musical instruments here and a museum of theatrical costumes. The beautiful sculpture garden is also home to the busts of many famous African poets.
