Motheo, Free State
Officially, Motheo is one of the five districts of the Free State in South Africa. The term ‘Motheo’ comes from the Sesotho for “foundation” or “cornerstone” and was consciously chosen to represent the heartbeat of the province, regarded as an area of entrepreneurial and investment opportunities and the centre of the economic and industrial development of the Free State.
The three municipalities of Mangaung, Mantsopa and Naledi fall within Motheo and include the city of Bloemfontein and other towns like Ladybrand, Hobhouse, Tweespruit, Wepener, Dewetsdorp, Thaba Phatswa. Motheo incorporates the highlands of the Maluti Route, the R26, which winds through Naledi, and the township of Botshabelo, 55 kilometres from Bloemfontein - the largest township in the province and the second largest in the country after Soweto.
The other attraction included in Motheo, 60 kilometres east of Bloemfontein, is Thaba ‘Nchu, a town established as early as 1873 that was granted independence in 1979 and then reincorporated in 1994, but not before it become the site of a casino complex - one of the main reasons that Bloemfontein residents regularly visit the largely Tswana and Sotho dominated town.
Destinations / Town & Suburbs of Motheo
Bloemfontein
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Bloemfontein
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 ... Bloemfontein information
Botshabelo
Where to Stay: Motheo Region Accommodation
About 45km from the city of Bloemfontein on the N8 road to Lesotho, Botshabelo is the largest township settlement in the Free State and the second largest after Soweto (in Johannesburg). Botshabelo contains a ... Botshabelo information
Hobhouse
Where to Stay: Motheo Region Accommodation
On the southernmost tip of the Eastern Free State region lies Hobhouse, named after the British girl who became a Boer heroine. Emily Hobhouse visited the war-torn South Africa during the Anglo Boer War and was ... Hobhouse information
Thaba Nchu
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Thaba Nchu
Thaba Nchu, one of the oldest settlements in the Free State is situated below the famous Thaba Nchu mountain (place of execution) 65 km east of Bloemfontein. The neighbouring area Selosesha has grown considerably ... Thaba Nchu information
Wepener
Where to Stay: Motheo Region Accommodation
Wepener is often also mentioned in the same breath as the Caledon Nature Reserve, a pretty reserve home to numerous types of game and over 200 types of birds that also serves as a popular fishing venue. But Wepener deserves ... Wepener information
Motheo
Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Motheo
Bloemfontein Golf Course
The Bloemfontein Golf Club is situated about 6 kilometres from the city centre just off Maselspoort Road - more commonly known as the Airport Road. Bloemfontein's last five holes - all water holes, rival the toughest in South Africa. The 14th, is a par-five of 478 metres. The river that flows though ... more information
Bloemfontein Zoo
Sanctuary is provided in the Bloemfontein Zoo 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.
Caledon Nature Reserve
Roughly 120 kilometres south east of Bloemfontein and 15 kilometres south of Wepener on Route 701, the Caledon Nature Reserve, through which the Caledon River flows, is also home to the Welbedacht Dam situated in the southern parts of the reserve. Despite sounding as if the reserve is off ... more information
Franklin Nature Reserve
Situated at the the base of Naval Hill, the Franklin Nature Reserve (size 250 hectare) is home to many birds and indigenous wildlife, including herds of springbok, blesbok, eland and zebra. The Franklin Nature Reserve is the only reserve of its kind in the world completely surrounded by a city.
Free State National Botanical Garden
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 information
Free State Stadium
The Free State Stadium is a dedicated sporting environment with ample parking and excellent corporate hospitality. The Free State Stadium will host 5 first-round matches and 1 second-round match of the 2010 World Cup. For the 2010 World Cup, a second tier was added to the main grandstand, which increased the seating ... more information
Mangaung cultural route
Mangaung is a township just outside Bloemfontein, famous as the birthplace of the African National Congress (ANC), the country's ruling party. The cultural route takes in the highlights of Masenkeng stadium, Maphikela House and the Youth Monument, including local restaurants and cultural events at the ... more information
Maria Moroka Game Reserve
One of the only game reserves named after a woman - Dr Maria Moroka was a hero from the struggle against apartheid – the Maria Moroka Game Reserve lies close to the large mountain, and little town, known as Thaba Nchu, roughly 70 kilometres outside of Bloemfontein. It is also one of several nature ... more information
National Museum Bloemfontein
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 ... more information
Sand du Plessis Theatre
Completed in 1985 at a cost of over R60 million, the Sand du Plessis complex is one of the most modern theatres in the world. The facade features massive glass panels; and works of art form part of the decor. Throughout the year, the theatre is the venue for opera, ballet, drama and music performances.
Schoeman Park Golf Course
Schoeman Park Golf Club, as it is known today, had its origin in 1904 when a few Scottish members of the old Bloemfontein Railway Institute started playing golf on a nine hole golf course. Today the Club building and grounds still belong to Transnet, but the club is a separate legal entity, operating as a ... more information
Soetdoring Dam Nature Reserve
Soetdoring Nature Reserve has two entrances. The eastern entrance is at the Modder River on the Bloemfontein / Bultfontein road (R700). Here visitors enjoy angling, pic-nicing and game viewing. Braai (BBQ) facilities are located along the river and the dam. The Modder River entrance is at the eastern ... more information
Motheo Region
Featured Things To Do in Motheo Region
Skydiving in Bloemfontein
Where: Bloemfontein
How much (per person): On Request
Only ten minutes outside Bloemfontein, we offer skydiving to all experience levels. From tandem skydives, static line course, accelerated fr ... more information
Visit the Oliewenhuis Art Museum
Where: Bloemfontein
How much (per person): Free
Oliewenhuis Art Museum is still a relatively young museum even by South African standards. Being only 13 years old, the Museum has shown a s ... more information
Motheo
Holiday Accommodation in Motheo
For accommodation in Motheo see:
• Bloemfontein Accommodation • Bloemfontein Hotels • Bloemfontein Guest Houses
• Thaba Nchu Accommodation • Thaba Nchu Hotels • Thaba Nchu Guest Houses
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Motheo Accommodation.
"The Free State landscape gladdens my heart, no matter what my mood. When I am here I feel that nothing can shut me in, that my thoughts can roam as far as the horizons" - Nelson Mandela.
- Introduction to Free State
- Destination Guide
- Accommodation Guide
- Free State Search by Map
- Free State Conferences
- Wedding Guide
- Touring the Free State
- Transport & Travel Arrangements
- Out and About
- Südafrika Reise
Für Deutsche Besucher
Suedafrika-Reise.net bringt Ihnen das umfangreichste Angebot an Links, um Südafrika zu "bereisen": hier und jetzt auf Ihrem Bildschirm.
Urlaub im Freistaat
destinations / attractions in free state
