09/07/2020
King’s Park
Why you should visit: Stop and smell the roses in the City of Roses. King’s Park is situated on Loch Logan on the outskirts of the city. The park is centred around a lake with rolling green lawns and trees that provide much-needed shade on hot summer days.
The rose garden has more than 4,000 rose bushes. Some of them were planted as far back as 1925 when the garden was first opened.
The park also houses the Bloemfontein Zoo, and there’s an arts-and-crafts market on the first Saturday of each month.
How to get there: Find King’s Park on Henry Street.
How much does it cost to stay here: Entrance is free.
Free State National Botanical Garden
Why you should visit: This 70-hectare garden is situated just outside of the city and is home to more than 400 species of plants, indigenous to the Free State and neighbouring Northern Cape and Lesotho. Visitors can also spot 54 species of reptiles, 151 species of birds and almost 50 species of small mammals. The garden is divided into different sections, based on the different vegetation.
View a map of the gardens and plan your visit on sanbi.org
Guided tours are available on weekdays and cost R10 per person.
Pop into the Visitors Centre curio shop and nursery before leaving, where you can buy indigenous plants. It’s open seven days a week.
How to get there: Find the garden on Rayton Road off Dan Pienaar.
How much does it cost to stay here: Adult tickets are R25. Entry is R15 per child.
EXPERIENCE
While flower species of varying kinds can be enjoyed year-round, many visitors time their visit around the popular Rose Festival. The city’s hot summers and frosty cold winters mean that the roses are best late October and early November, and the festival coincides with this.
Roses aside, shoppers, history buffs and art lovers will find a surprising number of diversions to delight in the city.
Mangaung Rose Festival
Why you should visit: Bloem’s most famous rose festival takes place every October when the city’s namesake flower starts to bloom. Started in 1976, today’s festival line-up offers various rose-related events, including rose cutting and planting ceremonies, walks, rose-themed high teas and food markets, street parades, and pageants.
How to get there: The main festival takes place at Urth Garden Centre, 2147 Eeufeesweg, Bayswater.
How much does it cost: Different pricing for the different events apply. Visit mangaungrosefestival.co.za.
Loch Logan Waterfront
Why you should visit: Although not quite as vast as Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, Bloemfontein boasts its own waterfront complex. The Loch Logan Waterfront sits next to the King’s Park Zoo, built around a small body of water. It makes for a good couple of hours of dining and shopping.
How to get there: Find it on Henry Street, Willows.
Oliewenhuis Art Museum
Why you should visit: History and art fundis may be surprised to discover just how many rich cultural and historical treasures there are in the city. Oliewenhuis Art Museum is situated in a restored Dutch-style mansion and is one of the country’s youngest art museums. The museum houses a collection of historical and contemporary South African art. Outdoors, don’t miss the African Carousel (it’s a living piece of art – a working carousel comprised of 16 artworks), the Sculpture Park and the Cement and Mosaic Project.
Visitors to the Oliewenhuis Art Museum can picnic in the museum’s 12-hectare garden, or walk one of the four marked trails.
History buffs should also visit the National Museum. The historical street scene exhibition, a recreation of life in the Free State in the 19th to early 20th century, is particularly fascinating. Find the museum on 36 Aliwal Street. Entrance fee is R10 per adult.
Freshford House Museum is a restored house museum that offers a glimpse into the lives of the upper-middle classes during the 1890s. Architecturally, it’s also unique, as it was built during the transition period of the late Victorian and Edwardian era and show elements of both. Find it on 31 Kellnerstraat.
How to get there: Find the Oliewenhuis Art Museum on 16 Harry Smith Street.
How much does it cost: Oliewenhuis Art Museum admission is free.
SLEEP
From hotels to guesthouses, and camping and caravanning, most travellers can find accommodation to suit their budget and interests in Bloemfontein and surrounds. Friendly hospitality and service are guaranteed.
aha Bloemfontein Hotel
Why you should stay here: If you’re looking for a central base in the city with all the hotel mod cons, check in to the aha Bloemfontein Hotel. This trendy contemporary hotel is close to several popular sights, business hub and shopping. B&B rooms are modern and comfortable, a light breakfast is included, and there is on-site parking and a chic bar for sundowners.
How to get there: Find it on 22 Donald Murray Ave, Park West.
How much does it cost to stay here: A double room for two people sharing is from R900 per night.
De Oude Kraal Country Estate and Spa
Why you should stay here: If you are passing through or want to stay a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, De Oude Kraal Country Estate and Spa is a wonderful choice for the discerning traveller.
Situated on a working 5th-generation merino sheep farm, the owners, Gerhard and Marie, run the guesthouse in the farm’s original farmhouse that’s filled with family heirlooms.
There are 11 luxury rooms, complete with fireplace for those frosty winter nights, and six self-catering units.
Enjoy a superb breakfast and dinner, too. Marie is renowned for her gourmet dinners with French flair.
On-site, there’s much to entertain, with a spa, tennis court, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding trails, as well as sundowner drives to spot eland, springbok and wildebeest.
How to get there: Find it 35 km outside of Bloemfontein, on the N1 heading south.
How much does it cost to stay here: A luxury B&B room is from R2,000 in the low season.
Reinheim River Chalets & Caravan Park
Why you should stay here: The price-conscious traveller or explorer who likes to sleep comfortably but simply in nature can check out the Reinheim River Chalets and Caravan Park.
Situated 20 km from the city proper, choose from 60 camping stands or six self-catering chalets in a tranquil setting along the Reinheim River.
There’s also an on-site swimming pool, kiddies’ play area, putt-putt and fishing. The Loch Logan Waterfront is a 15-minute drive.
How to get there: Find it on the Masselpoort/Glen turn-off, about 20 km from Bloemfontein.
How much does it cost: A riverfront self-catering chalet is from R980 per night.
EAT
Enjoy the city’s slow pace by dining as the locals do, which is long and leisurely. And you can expect great food. For boerekos just like Ouma used to make, you’ve come to the right place. There are multicultural culinary options to choose from but, sometimes, the best place to enjoy your koeksisters is with your neighbour on their stoep.
Farmers’ Markets
What’s special about it: When the city is situated in the province known as the country’s breadbasket, it’s little wonder that Bloem’s farmers’ markets are some of the best.
Pop into the Boeremark (Farmers’ Market) in Langenhoven Park. It’s open every Saturday with stalls selling everything from fresh produce and meat to plants and locally-made arts and crafts. The ultimate drawcard is the food. Expect boerie rolls, vetkoek, pannekoek, koeksisters and melktert homemade with love. But come early! The most popular stalls are known to sell out before noon. The market is open from 06h00 until 14h00.
Other markets to visit are the Lions Kunsmark Arts And Crafts Market near the Loch Logan Waterfront, the Volksblad Kos en Kunsmark at the Free State National Botanical Gardens, the Rose Garden Urban Flea Market near the Bloemfontein Waterfront and the Westdene Park Market, an old-school classic flea market. Some charge a minimal entrance fee.
How to get there: Find Die Boeremark at Langenhoven Park on Bankovs Boulevard.
How much does it cost: No entrance fee.
Z**i Restaurant
What’s special about it: If you’re exploring the blooming paradise that is the Free State National Botanical Garden, pop in at the Z**i Restaurant for a bite to eat. There are indoor and outdoor terrace and garden tables. It’s a great spot for light lunches and snacks where you can sample the best of Free State traditional home cooking, such as moreish milk tart, bobotie, pancakes, pumpkin pie and ginger beer. Book for Sundays’ boerekos buffet lunch.
The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday.
How to get there: The restaurant is situated within the Free State National Botanical Garden.
How much does it cost: The average meal costs approximately R125.
Lutsedus Travel Tours partners with Free State Tourism and local stakeholders make your gateway a tour of lifestyle and memorable.
