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BLOEMFONTEIN - FREE STATE
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  Bloemfontein,
Free State, South Africa: Bloemfontein, the City of Roses, serves as something of
an oasis, lying as it does plum in the middle of the Free State and indeed the country.
The only major city for miles around, it is also the sixth largest city in the country,
the Judicial Capital of South Africa, and it lies on the N1 between Johannesburg and Cape
Town, often functioning as a stop off to break the major journey between the two cities.
Despite being situated in an area of dry grassland, Bloemfontein more than lives up to its
name - spring of flowers. Thousands of rose bushes line the city; more than 4000 rose
trees have been planted in the rose gardens in Kings Park, and many homes, still minus the
ubiquitous six metre wall of other major cities in South Africa, boast colourful gardens
littered with flowering plants and trees. Bloemies, as the locals fondly call her it, is a
city of little stress and very few residents buy into the rush, rush syndrome typical of a
major city. The city centre is lined with historical buildings, including the beautiful
tree-lined President Brand Street - a national monument – its pavements home to
several graceful museum buildings, right in the centre of the CBD.
Naval Hill, a little nature reserve of 192 odd hectares, set right in the city, is worth a
drive through. Set on a hill as it is, it not only provides a welcome respite from all
things city, but also gives a bird’s eye view over the city. And the extremely modern
Orchid House, which lies at the western foot of Naval Hill in Hamilton Park, lays claim to
the world’s largest collection of orchids. There is also a fragrance garden for the
blind close to Orchid House.
There is no shortage of activities when in Bloemfontein: The Art in the Park, held in
Kings Park on the first Saturday of every month is an extremely popular event amongst
residents; Loch Logan Waterfront offers a series of restaurants, shops, pubs and
entertainment, and the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery - a beautiful neo-Cape Dutch house with
frequent exhibitions and sprawling lawns - has gardens under shade trees that provide a
wonderful space in which to picnic or simply enjoy tea at the little garden tea house. |
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 On the north
western fringes of Bloemfontein lie 70 hectares of botanical garden, in a valley peppered
with dolerite koppies, tall grassland and woodland; some magnificent examples of wild
olive and karee trees, an orange blossom arbour and a petrified tree, thought to be over
150 ... More » Free State
Botanical Garden
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 Macufe Festival: Macufe, the 10-day Mangaung African Cultural
Festival, showcases the cream of African and international talent. It features jazz,
gospel, kwaito, hip-hop, R&B, rock and classical music, as well as dance, drama,
cabaret, musical theatre, poetry, fine art and traditional arts and crafts. First held ...
More » Macufe
Festival
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Bloemfontein Zoo |
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| Sanctuary is provided here in pleasant
surroundings for the "Big Five" as well as several antelope species, tigers,
panthers, hippos and apes. A large variety of birds is an added attraction. The most
unusual inhabitant is the liger, a cross between a lion and a tiger. |
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National Museum |
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| Notable for its large collection of fossils,
cultural historical exhibits and archaeological displays, including the Florisbad skull
which was discovered in the 1930s at the Florisbad Spring some 50 km north of
Bloemfontein. (Florisbad Man is estimated to have lived between 50 000 and 35 000 years
ago, and is believed to have been an ancestor of the Bushman [San] people.) One of the
highlights of the museum is a skilfully reconstructed turn-of-the-century Bloemfontein
street scene. Open daily. |
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Naval Hill |
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| Rising from the heart of the city, the summit
of Naval Hill offers panoramic views of Bloemfontein. Two British naval guns are mounted
on the crest of the hill. |
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Franklin Nature Reserve |
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| At the base of Naval Hill, the reserve is
home to many birds and indigenous wildlife,
including herds of springbok, blesbok, eland and zebra, this
is the only reserve of its kind in the world completely surrounded by a city. |
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 Overnight at Bloemfontein
Accommodation or find Bloemfontein Hotels. |
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« Free State Game Reserves | South
Africa Game Reserves » |
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