Places to Visit in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Africa

Places to Visit in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Africa

Bloemfontein is one of three capitals of South Africa, situated in the heart of the nation. It functions as the judicial capital of the country and the administrative capital of Free State Province. The city is renowned as “the city of roses”, indicating opulent roses and annual rose festival in the city. Located at an altitude of 1,395 meters at 29°06′S 26°13′E, Bloemfontein is situated around 1000 km northeast of Cape Town and 400 km southwest of Johannesburg. Bloemfontein spans a total area of 236.17 sq. km and experiences a semi-arid climate.

History of Bloemfontein:

The history of Bloemfontein begins with its official foundation by the British army major, Henry Douglas Warden, during the British colonial rule in the country in 1846. Bloemfontein was designated as the judicial capital of the Union of South Africa in 1910.

How to get Bloemfontein?

The Bloemfontein Airport is located around 100 km east of the downtown Bloemfontein and handles flights to Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

By train, Bloemfontein has good connectivity to all the major cities in the country, including Port Elizabeth, East London, Kimberley, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

The major bus companies connecting Bloemfontein to the rest of South Africa include:

Intercape Mainliner
SA Roadlink
Greyhound

To move within Bloemfontein, visitors can hire car from any of the below car rentals:

First Car Rental
Tempest Car Hire
Avis

Culture, Food and Shopping in Bloemfontein:

Bloemfontein is the hometown of many renowned artists such as Leon Schuster, Tony Kgoroge and Coenie de Villiers. Waterfront Mall is the most famous shopping centre in Bloemfontein.

List of the tourist favor restaurants in Bloemfontein includes:

Mexican Restaurant
New York’s
Beethoven’s Cafe Restaurant

What to do in Bloemfontein?

Visiting universities and museums
City tours
Shopping

What to see in Bloemfontein?

Naval Hill and Franklin Game Reserve:

Overlooking the city of Bloemfontein, the Naval Hill and Franklin Game Reserve is situated on top of the hill, home to a wide range of wild animals. This typical picnic spot can be visited between 8am and 5pm. No entrance fee.

Oliewenhuis Art Museum:

Located on 16 Harry Smith Street, the Oliewenhuis Art Museum is a splendid art museum, housed in a superbly reconstructed Cape-Dutch style house. The museum is centered on showcasing the features of contemporary art and photography. Café and garden are the other highlights of the museum.

National Botanical Garden:

The National Botanical Garden of Bloemfontein is home to an abundance of plant and flowers, highlighted by roses. The garden is open for visitors from 8AM to 6PM every day. Admission fee is R10.

Bloemfontein Zoo:

Bloemfontein Zoo is situated near the Waterfront shopping mall of the city. The highlight of the zoo is Liger, a cross species of lion and tiger.

Fire Station Museum:

The Fire Station Museum is home to around seventeen vintage fire engines and many well preserved typical cars and bikes. The museum is situated in Erlich Park Fire Station on Church Street. Prior permission is imperative.

Other places of interest in Bloemfontein:

Choet Visser Rugby Museum
Boyden Observatory
Anglo Boer War Museum
Central University of Technology
National Museum
Presidency Museum
SA Armour Museum
Queens Fort Military Museum
Soetdoring Nature Reserve
University of the Free State

Best time to visit Bloemfontein:

Bloemfontein is a year round destination, though the tour of Bloemfontein can be experienced in April, September and October.

Where to stay in Bloemfontein?

Bloemfontein houses around 150 modernized hotels that are spread between all parts of the city. Most hotels in the city offer advance booking facility through online for visitors’ convenience. Here are some famous hotels in Bloemfontein: