EXPLORE Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein is located in the Free State and is known as the “City of Roses”. It is the Judicial Capital of South Africa and the sixth largest city in the country, lying on the main road, rail and air links between the north and south, east and west. It is the economic hub of the Mangaung district and is the commercial capital of the Free State, also known as the “place where the Cheetahs dwell”. This is where the provincial rugby team, the Cheetahs, gets its name.

The atmosphere of Bloemfontein is a combination of family values, cultural importance, business operations and student antics, all intermingled with an ebbing peaceful air. Broad, spacious roads and open spaces surrounding the city, it is as much a suburban city as a thriving business orientated one. The University of Bloemfontein is near the city centre, so you will be sure to find many pubs and clubs of all kinds in and around the city where you can enjoy a cold one and experience the nightlife of this seemingly peaceful city. 

Despite being characterised by the dry grassland, Bloemfontein is home to a lavish Botanical Garden that is dedicated to cultivating and displaying the flora of this region. No visit to Bloemfontein is complete without seeing the 400 different species of plants, especially prominently features vibrant red-hot pokers, wild dagga plants and of course, roses. The Botanical Gardens also have an interesting history with remnants found in the area that date back as far as the Iron Age.   

Bloemfontein features some of the Free States most significant monuments that are pivotal to South Africa’s history. Be sure to visit the National Women’s Memorial Monument and the Anglo Boer War museum and Battlefields. Helicopter tours of the city and its surrounding areas are a great way to experience the beauty of this city. 

It is also the ideal stopping point for travellers travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town and in between. Accommodation in Bloemfontein ranges from guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, hotels and lodges both in the city and on its outskirts, suitable for travellers from all walks of life.