Must see places in Bloemfontein

What to do and see in Bloemfontein ?

Find out what the “must see” places are and what you can do in the city. Read the list and pick your choices of the best things to see – also the things that are for free, maybe you will have fun without spending a cent.

Below we have some recommendations for you. You can use the disqus field below to share experiences with other travellers.

Anglo Boer War Museum, Monument Road. For a history on the war 1899 to 1902

Fire Station Museum, Erlich Park Fire Station, Church Street. By appointment. 17 vintage fire engines as well as a number of cars, bikes steam engines and even ox wagons.

National Museum, 36 Aliwal Street. Home to the Florisbad skull.

Naval Hill and Franklin Game Reserve. The reserve has various wild animals (nothing dangerous) and is located on top of a hill overlooking the centre of the city. There is a driving circuit weaving around the edge of the hill and a large statue of Nelson Mandela. You can also park the car near the observatory and go for a walk / have a picnic.

Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street. Outstanding art museum in a beautifully restored Cape-Dutch style house and gardens. Oliewenhuis hosts ever changing temporary displays of contemporary art and photography, whilst upstairs is a more traditional permanent exhibition. There is a very nice cafe in the sculpture garden at the back and is the ideal retreat from the city’s sterile shopping malls.

Presidency Museum, Pres. Brand Street. This former residence of presidents of the Orange Free Stare Republic has been restored to what it would have been at the turn of the century.

SA Armour Museum. The SA Armour Museum, on the grounds of Tempe Military Base, exhibits various items dealing specifically with military armour. The SA Armour Museum consists of an indoor-, outdoor-, and reference library area. Some of the more interesting exhibits include South African built apartheid era riot control vehicles, and some old Soviet tanks the South African’s captured in Angola.

Soetdoring Nature Reserve, about 40 km from Bloemfontein. A pleasant Free State nature reserve close to Bloemfontein. What sets it apart are the lions in the small enclosure in the middle of the park – although the enclosure is big enough to mean that you are not guaranteed to see the cats. The rest of the reserve is pleasant with open plains, wooded areas and a dam – there are no dangerous animals in the main park so walking is allowed. There is a one-day hiking trail which follow the Modder River, easy enough for families with young children.