Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Bloemfontein

Over the years, I have accumulated an extensive collection of entry stamps from South African destinations in my passport. Exploring this varied and striking country is an extraordinary aspect of my role as a travel writer with a focus on Africa. Drawing on considerable practical experience, I am pleased to impart my knowledge with you here.

Affectionately termed Bloem (pronounced ‘bloom’), Bloemfontein stands as one of South Africa’s three joint capitals, alongside Cape Town and Pretoria. As the largest city in the Free State province, which encompasses predominantly flat grasslands to the north and west of Lesotho, it may not immediately appear as an obvious tourist destination.

Nevertheless, this expansive and cultured ‘city of roses’ possesses a variety of attractions that can engage most visitors for a few days. Therefore, here are the 15 premier activities to experience in Bloemfontein.

1. Franklin Game Reserve

Experience intimate encounters with zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe without the confines of a zoo environment or the barriers of a safari vehicle at Franklin Game Reserve. Situated on a hilltop surrounded by the city, this 250-hectare reserve has been a unique protected space for nearly a century.

While traversable by car—its paths are sufficiently wide for vehicles—your best opportunities for wildlife encounters are on foot. It is essential to note that circling the reserve will take at least an hour, and tall grasses may limit visibility.

2. Oliewenhuis Art Museum

Constructed in the Cape Dutch architectural style, the edifice that houses the Oliewenhuis Art Museum was erected in 1935, although it appears considerably older. It served as the residence for the Governor-General of South Africa and later its presidents, also hosting King George VI and Princess Elizabeth—who would become Queen Elizabeth II.

Converted to a museum in the 1980s, the first level features twentieth-century artworks, primarily by South African artists. The museum’s verdant grounds include several short walking trails, showcasing sculptures of diverse styles.

3. First Raadsaal

Prominently situated on Saint George Street and somewhat obscured by more contemporary structures, the First Raadsaal is a modest stone and thatch edifice serving as a museum documenting the history of the Orange Free State.

Established in 1849 with a packed dung floor, it was the state’s inaugural parliament building, or raadsaal. Now regarded as Bloemfontein’s oldest surviving building, its history also includes its use as a church and educational institution. While on Saint George Street, consider visiting the Wagon Museum located nearby.

4. Maselspoort Resort

For those seeking a period of tranquility and relaxation, Maselspoort Resort may present the ideal environment. Situated approximately 30 minutes from Bloemfontein, this serene bushveld area has earned a reputation as a premier location for unwinding.

Overnight visitors have the option to utilize basic yet comfortable chalets, while recreational activities range from non-motorized water sports to tennis and walking trails. Nevertheless, fishing on the Modder River remains the primary attraction.

5. National Museum

The National Museum location in Bloemfontein functions as a natural history museum, with collections centered around life on Earth. Its extensive fossil collection includes the Florisbad skull, which has proven significant for scientists researching human evolution.

Moreover, its displays encompass archaeology, ethnographic exhibits, broader themes such as the formation of the solar system, and a recreation of a street scene depicting Bloemfontein in the 1900s. Directly in front of the museum lies Hertzog Square, home to a striking statue dedicated to General Hertzog, a pivotal figure in South Africa’s political historical narrative.

6. Waaihoek Wesleyan Church ANC Birthplace Museum

This unassuming red brick church, situated behind the concrete cooling towers of a city’s power facility, is not typically regarded as a tourist attraction. Recognized as a South African National Heritage Site since 2018, this church is acknowledged as the birthplace of the Native National Congress, which evolved into the ANC.

The political party established by Nelson Mandela, which currently governs South Africa, was founded within this church in 1912 through a gathering of representatives, chiefs, and prominent black intellectuals. Accordingly, this church laid the foundation for decades of activism, ultimately leading to multiparty elections in 1994.

7. Happy Valley

Located on the eastern outskirts of Bloemfontein’s Westdene suburb, Happy Valley is an area characterized by pristine natural landscapes favored by hiking and off-road cycling enthusiasts. With a combination of hillside grasslands and wooded regions, its trails are generally challenging while remaining accessible to children and seasoned walkers alike.

At a distance of 2.7 kilometers, one does not need to allocate an entire day to experience Happy Valley. In fact, most individuals can complete the primary trail in approximately one hour. Although devoid of facilities, Oliewenhuis Art Museum is situated nearby, presenting an excellent opportunity for a combined morning or afternoon of attractions.

8. The Old Presidency

Grand in its design, the Old Presidency occupies President Brand Street in the heart of Bloemfontein. Also referred to in Afrikaans as Ou Presidensie, it was constructed in the 1880s to serve as the official residence of the Orange Free State’s presidents—then an independent entity.

Designed at a cost of £12,200, it functioned as the official residence for three presidents before being appropriated by the British. Gradually converted into a museum detailing the lives of Presidents Brand, Reitz, and Steyn, a visit is highly recommended to gain insights into life in South Africa during that era.

9. National Women’s Memorial

The National Women’s Memorial bears similarity to the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, primarily comprising a stone block obelisk. It was erected to pay tribute to an estimated 27,000 Boer women and children from the Orange Free State who perished in concentration camps established by British forces during the Second Anglo Boer War from 1899 to 1902.

Partially funded through public contributions, the monument also encompasses the final resting place of British woman Emily Hobhouse, who fervently advocated against the treatment of Boer women and called for the respect of human rights.

10. Rose Festival

Held annually in October, the Rose Festival is among the most significant events in Bloemfontein. Predominantly occurring at the Loch Logan Waterfront, adjacent to Kings Park Rose Garden, it attracts garden enthusiasts from across South Africa to the ‘city of roses.’

Beyond showcasing numerous rose displays, many cultivated by amateurs, the festival has evolved to include a High Tea, competitive cycling road races of 26, 55, and 106 kilometers, as well as an expo focused on sustainability.

11. Sand du Plessis Theatre

An artwork in its own right, the Sand du Plessis Theatre ranks among South Africa’s premier performance venues. Adorned with marble and illuminated by natural light from expansive windows, its stylish mid-century foyer leads to a 1,000-seat auditorium that has hosted numerous renowned entertainers.

Markedly integrated into the community, skateboarders utilize its forms to practice their skills on weekends, while guided tours of the stunning interior can be arranged by appointment for those not in attendance during performances.

12. War Museum of the Boer Republics

More commonly recognized in many travel guides as the Anglo Boer War Museum, this institution holds the distinction of being the world’s only museum dedicated to the conflicts between Britain and the Boer Republics—the Orange Free State and Transvaal.

Positioned adjacent to the National Women’s Memorial, the museum recounts the causes of the two wars and elaborates on their major battles and consequences. Although quaintly old-fashioned in its use of dark wooden exhibition cases, it remains a crucial stop for those seeking to comprehend South Africa’s historical evolution.

13. Twin-Spired Church

Known as Tweetoring Kerk in Afrikaans, the exterior of the Twin-Spired Church possesses an enchanting quality reminiscent of a Disney princess castle. The somewhat striking architecture of its steeples is due to one spire’s collapse and concerns regarding the stability of the other, which resulted in reduced heights.

Completed in 1880, it stands as the sole structure of its kind in southern Africa, belonging to the Dutch Reformed Church, a denomination predominantly associated with Afrikaners. Designated as a national monument, the church witnessed the installation of the three Free State presidents who resided in the Old Presidency building.

14. Long Tom

Long Tom refers to the collective designation of four large cannon-like weapons procured from France by the Boer Republics for self-defense against British forces. Initially utilized to protect the Boer capital, Pretoria, these cannons gained such prominence that replicas were created, including one displayed on the outskirts of Bloemfontein.

Continuing along the same route, one encounters the Anglo Boer War Block House. Another reconstruction, this stone and sheet iron structure was likely employed to defend the railway line north of Bloemfontein, which provides continued connectivity from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

15. Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery

Affiliated with the University of the Free State, the Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery features a small permanent collection of works by South African masters alongside art created by the Bloemfontein group and artists from the town of Thaba’nchu, amounting to approximately 150 pieces.

At the conclusion of the academic year, the gallery also presents a temporary exhibition showcasing final year student artworks, offering visitors the possibility to discover the next Monet or Picasso among the displays.