Thaba Nchu, Motheo Region
As one reaches Thaba Nchu, 65 kilometres east of Bloemfontein and one of the oldest settlements in the Free State, it becomes fairly obvious where it got its name. The mountain that looms over the town of Botshabelo often falls into shadow whereupon it becomes a 'black mountain' or Thaba’Nchu, as the Tswana name translates.
The N8 between Bloemfontein and the Lesotho border conveniently passes through the southern parts of the town, which makes it easy to reach, and it is fairly popular with Bloemfontein residents head, who head out here over weekends to the Thaba’Nchu Sun Casino resort, where there is a casino, resort and an adjacent game farm that provide hours of entertainment.
There is little else out here, other than the grave of Chief Moroko, the founder of the Sotho nation and a friend of the Voortrekkers, and a farm called Marseilles, which used to belong to a Lady Mary Grosvenor (she and her family also owned most of London), who only stayed here roughly once a year. But it is principally the resort and the game farm that draw people, that and the immediate sense of wide skies and open country so close to a city centre.
The game reserve is known as the Maria Moroka Game Reserve and lies at the foot of the mountain where one can spot eland, wildebeest, white rhino, zebra and at least a 100 species of birds. There are also eight kilometres worth of hiking trails and a picnic area with braai facilities. Try and take one of their more exciting night wildlife tours. Of course, for diehard shoppers there is a shopping complex and a luxury spa, where there are massage rooms and a sauna.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Villa Rose Cottages
Villa Rose in Fichardt Park offers a selection of self-catering and semi-self catering guest rooms and cottages to choose from. Each room has an ...
Wi Villa Le
Wi Villa Le offers accommodation in the area of Fichardt Park. From here you are close to shopping centres, restaurants and the business district...
Summer Palace Guesthouse
Summer Palace Guesthouse has six en-suite rooms that are serviced daily. Each room is uniquely decorated. All the rooms have a smart TV, Wi-Fi, a...
Rusplek Guest House
Rusplek Guesthouse offers 28 rooms ranging from standard rooms, self-catering rooms these rooms vary in sizes from two sleepers up to six sleeper...
A Summer Place Guest House
A Summer Place Boutique Guest House, offers accommodation for the discerning guest, and is centrally located in Bloemfontein. The Boutique Guest ...
Warm Karoo
Warm Karoo is situated in Bloemfontein on a private estate. The combination of city elegance and country tranquility makes Warm Karoo the perfect...
Andante Guesthouse
Andante Guesthouse in Bloemfontein welcomes you to a beautiful exclusive venue in the country and offers a quiet, relaxing stay away from the cit...
Acacia Lodge
Acacia Lodge is situated in a quiet residential area and offers luxurious accommodation in 7 en-suite bedrooms and 1 family unit. The communal lo...
Arvella Guesthouse
Situated in Bloemfontein, Arvella Guesthouse offers affordable luxury accommodation close to Rosepark Hospital and other attractions. The accommo...
Things to do in the area
Thaba 'Nchu Trail
This fun and relatively easy trail is only 9 kilometres long and is suitable for children. Thaba ‘Nchu means Black Mountain in Tswana and is a fr...
Naledi Sun Casino
Head over to the town of Thaba Nchu to the exquisite Naledi Sun Casino. Here you will find both smoking and no smoking areas filled with 160 slot...
Noteworthy attractions
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Home to the Sundowns Football Club and the Blue Bulls rugby team, Loftus Versfeld received a welcomed revamp and renovation in preparation for th...
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 visi...
Bloemfontein Golf Club
The Bloemfontein Golf Club is situated about 6 kilometres from the city centre just off Maselspoort Road - more commonly known as the Airport Roa...
Schoeman Park Golf Club
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 start...
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 ...
Bloemfontein Zoo
The Bloemfontein Zoo was established in 1906, and has continued to grow and develop since then to be one of the most popular animal sanctuaries i...
Franklin Nature Reserve
Named after Sir John Stuart Franklin, the mayor of Bloemfontein during the 1920s, Franklin Game Reserve lies right in the heart of Bloemfontein. ...
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...
National Museum Bloemfontein
Notable for its large collection of fossils, cultural historical exhibits and archaeological displays, including the Florisbad skull which was di...
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