Zastron, Xhariep Region

The little town of Zastron, just off the N6, north east of Rouxville lies in some of the most picturesque countryside in the south eastern Free State close to the border of Lesotho. The scenery is dominated by beautiful mountains and the town itself lies at the foot of Aasvoëlberg (vulture hill), named such because it is home to the only Cape Vulture colony in the Free State. Zastron is also where you can see the Eye of Zastron, a nine metre wide hole that gapes in a sandstone ridge overlooking town.

Zastron is the commercial centre for cattle, sheep, maize, wheat and dairy farming, but it is also a great place to stay if you're after a little exploration, which is possibly why it's one of the more popular towns in this part of the Free State. It is not hard to imagine why the nomadic San used this part of the world that lies between the Caledon and the Orange Rivers as a haven. What was a no-man's land is today a curiously beautiful part of the country and one where people feel immediately at home. Here you can easily wind down from the stresses of modern day living.

It helps that Zastron is on the Highland Route, which follows the Lesotho border along the foothills of the Maluti Mountains and ends at Zastron, and that the caves around here are riddled with fine examples of San rock paintings - head out to the Hippopotamus Cave in particular, as it has amazing drawings, particularly of hippos. Also take in Glen Rosa Farm where a 5 metre high San frieze dominates a cave on the farm - one of the most important historical artworks in the world.