Maloti Route

This is a spectacular route passing through Ladybrand, Hobhouse, Wepener and VanStadensrus on the R26 Route, crossing the border with Lesotho and also including the provinces of Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. It is dominated by the Maluti Mountain Range in the Kingdom of Lesotho and constitutes a scenic route covering art, culture, history, rock art sites, sceneries and a host of cultural experiences.

Accommodation varies from traditional huts, to B&B's and to luxury hotels. The diversity provides an opportunity to contrast the two countries which have different histories but are intertwined geographically, socially, culturally and economically.

In Lesotho are great annual events, like the Roof of Africa rally, drawing local and foreign visitors. Popularly known as the Mountain Kingdom, Lesotho offers breath-taking scenery.

For more information, contact the Maloti Route Tourist Information Centre at: Tel: 051 924 5131 / Fax: 051 924 2636 / Cell: 082 690 2489.


Active N8 route

The Active N8 route links Lesotho and Bloemfontein, passing inter alia Ladybrand, Thaba 'Nchu and Botshabelo. From Bloemfontein westward the N8 leads via Petrusburg to Kimberley. This route is also an alternative route for travellers from KwaZulu-Natal to the Eastern Cape and Cape Town via Bloemfontein. One can experience many tourist attractions, including museums depicting art, literature, war and military artifacts.


The Friendly N6 Route

Experience the Southern Free State by taking the N6 from Bloemfontein to Reddersburg, Smithfield and Rouxville and then onto Aliwal North and the rest of the Eastern Cape. Many interesting stop-overs along the way, especially at Smithfield.


Mangaung Cultural Route

"Mangaung" means "place of cheetahs" and is popularly known for its historic legends in art and music as well as its liberation history. Individual early settlements include Cape Stands, Batho, Bochabela, Phahameng, Ten Pounds and Ashberry and reflect the eventful yesteryears. The present Mangaung Cultural Route leads through key attractions and aims at empowering previously disadvantaged people to benefit from the tourism industry. Trained local guides and local tour operators are available to take tourists through the township route.

For more information contact / Mangaung Local Tourism Forum / African Jazz Club / African Road / Batho Village / Tel: 051 430 7974 / Fax: 051 447 1363

Steam Train Route

The Sandstone Steam Rail Company has been established by a consortium of overseas and local investors to restore steam trains for tourist travel along the historic Bethlehem-Bloemfontein Rail road. The company runs local excursions along the main route and side excursions along branch lines to destinations such as Maseru and Ladybrand, as well as developing ancillary tourist facilities along the routes. Excursions are of relatively short duration, with frequent stops to allow passengers to enjoy the scenery and facilities along the route.

The company is working with other preservation groups and National Steam Safari operators to include the Eastern Free State line in their overall program.


Battlefields route

The Anglo Boer War which broke out on 11 October 1899, was not only the last full scale war to be fought on South African soil, but also the last of the gentlemen's wars. The Free State contains many historic sites related to the Anglo-Boer War, including 13 battlefield sites, 8 military monuments, 2 war museums, and 3 war and concentration camp cemeteries.

The War Museum in Bloemfontein portrays this war in an unforgettable manner, providing full detail of battlefield sites and other relevant historical sites and how best to visit these places.

Below merely a glance at some of the main battles of the war.

Paardeberg (18-27 Feb. 1900) After the battle of Magersfontein, the new Commander in Chief on the western front, Lord Roberts, decided to relieve Kimberley with the help of Gen. JDP French and his cavalry. At Paardeberg near Kimberley he encountered the forces of Gen. Piet Cronjé - with 40 000 British troops and 100 guns against the 4 000 Boers with only five guns. The heavy bombardment left Cronjé with no other option but to surrender on 27 February 1900. Casualties: The Boers lost 100 dead, 250 wounded and 4 069 men captured during the battle. British losses were 258 men killed, 1 211 wounded and 68 taken prisoner.

Poplar Grove (7 March 1900) In contrast to the gallant defence the Boers made at Paardeberg, Poplar Grove was an anti-climax. The 5 050 strong forces of Gen CR De Wet, left their defences and fell back with only a few casualties. Casualties: Boer 2; British 57.

Driefontein (10 March 1900) While the Battle of Poplar Grove was nothing for the Boers to be proud of, the contrary is true of the battle that followed three days later. Driefontein was the last stand they made before Bloemfontein, the Free State capital, fell on 13 March 1900. Gen CR de Wet and Gen JH de la Rey had 1500 men at their disposal. Under heavy artillery bombardment the British forces advanced in overwhelming numbers on the Boers who fought with greater determination than at Poplar Grove and only left the battlefield after a full day's fighting. Casualties: Boer 87; British 438.

Sannaspos (31 March 1900) On 13 March 1900 Bloemfontein was occupied by Lord Roberts. At the end of March 1900, Gen de Wet decided to attack the British garrison protecting the Sannaspos waterworks, the main water supply for Bloemfontein. They captured 421 men, seven guns and 83 wagons during the day long battle acutaly the first of the guerilla phase. Casualties 16 Boer; 571 British.

Mostertshoek (3-4 April 1900) The clinching victory at Sannaspos was instrumental in the boosting of Boer morale and Gen. de Wet used it to good effect. De Wet and nearly 2 000 men decided to attack a British column near Reddersburg on 3 April 1900. The overwhelming Boer force succeeded in defeating the British force - a definite sign to Lord Roberts that the Boers were far from beaten. Casualties: Boer 6; British 591.

Jammerbergdrift (9 April 1900) After the success of de Wet at Sannaspos and Mostertshoek, Genl. De Wet and his commando decided to besiege British positions at Jammerbergdrift but as was the case in most of these attempts, the siege could not be sustained after help arrived on the scene. The Boer force had to retreat on 25 April when a British relief force arrived on the scene. Casualties; Boer 35; British 180.

Sand River (10 May 1900) Bloemfontein the capital of the Free State was occupied by Gen Roberts on 13 March 1900. On 3 May 1900 he proceeded to Pretoria with about 25 000 soldiers, 80 guns and 49 machine guns. At Brandfort and the Vet River the Boers had in the region of 2000 men at their disposal to halt the British forces. However, under the leadership of Gens. L Botha and C R De Wet they had to close too many gaps in their defence and fear of encirclement and the overwhelming British forces ensured the retreat of the Boers by nightfall. Casualties: Boers 79; British 250.

Biddulphsberg (29 May 1900) Biddulphsberg is situated near the town of Senekal. While this battle was taking place, the Boers were attacking the Imperial Yeomanry at Lindley. These two battles were closely connected and the reason is that when the Yeomanry were besieged, Lt Gen Rundle with his 4 000 men at Senekal tried to divert the Boers attention from Lindley to himself with a march from Senekal to Bethlehem. The artillery bombardment set the veld on fire and was at first used as a smoke screen by the attacking British soldiers. After a while, the wind changed direction and posed serious problems for the attackers. This and the continuous Mauser fire proved too much for the British force and they had to retire, leaving the Boers victorious. Casualties: Boer 40; British 180.

Yeomanry Hill (31 May 1900) On the Lindley-Kroonstad road a fierce Boer onslaught proved too much for the British soldiers and the white flag was raised. This incident proved to Lord FS Roberts that he could not yet rule the occupied territory. Casualties: Boer 70; British 443 men.

Roodewal (7 June 1900) After the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, the British army became dependent on the railway for transporting their required war provisions. Gen de Wet saw his chance of acquiring provincial at Roodewal station near Bloemfontein and decided to attack the station on 7 June 1900. He succeeded in overpowering the garrison and made off with goods worth ?100 000. Casualties: Boer 8; British 28.

Surrender Hill (30 July 1900) After the battle at Roodewal, Lord Roberts realized that he had to counteract the operations of De Wet. With this in mind he ordered a drive on the Boer forces, which were operating in the Eastern Free State. The Brandwater basin is a geographical region in the Eastern Free State, which offered the Boers the chance to regroup. Lt Gen A Hunter happed 4 000 Boer fighters in the basin and forced them or surrender. The loss was a severe blow to the Boers in general, but it also had a positive outcome as the most hardy Boers were decided to fight to the bitter end. Casualties and prisoners : Boer 4 300; British 275.

Doornkraal (6 November 1900) At Doornkraal near Bothaville, Gen. De Wet and his commando were surprised by Lt Col le Gallais, who himself however, was fatally wounded by a Mauser bullet. The escape of De Wet led to a determined effort to capture him and this became known as the second drive on De Wet. Casualties: Boer 131; British 46.

Groenkop (24 - 25 December 1901) Major I Williams, with a force of 400 men and two guns at Groenkop in the Eastern Free State, were surprised by the forces of Genl De Wet before sunrise on Christmas Day 1901. A third of the British force succeeded in making good their escape while the rest were captured or killed. Casualties: Boer 44; British 628.


Riemland Wine Route

The Riemland Wine Route and eco-tourism retreat as an initiative of a group of landowners in the Riemland region in the Northern Free State, includes the signing of agreements with three leading Western Cape wine cellars to open bulk sales outlets at two registered conservancies. The wine route runs between the Boland Cellar trading as Francolin Creek Cellar on the farm Dipkraal to Louisenhof Cellar trading as Goedehoop Cellar on the farm Goedehoop. These Free State wine cellars are accommodated in renovated and isolated barns according to wine cellar standards and requirements. The total wine route covers approximately 50 km and can easily be visited during a one-day visit.

Ghoya Africa: The Ghoya Africa conservancy is situated on the R34 ± 12 km south of Heilbron en route to Edenville. An authentic Namibian German pub on the farm Enkelbos in the same area provides a variety on the eco theme of the conservancy. The butchery at Enkelbos sells braai packs, while braai facilities as well as picnic spots are available at different points in the conservancy.

Francolin Creek: The Francolin Creek Conservancy is situated approximately 30 km east of Heilbron on the S240 on the route to Frankfort. Natural wetlands in the area provide ample bird hunting opportunities. An interesting conference facility in a renovated barn makes this an ideal venue for a small company "bosberaad" or breakaway.

The two conservancies offer a variety of eco-tourism activities, which includes hiking (overnight and day routes, horse riding, game viewing, bird-watching, mountain biking, 4X4 routes and controlled bow hunting. A range of accommodation facilities from guesthouses to rustic tent and bush camps and overnight huts on hiking trails, are available at both conservancies. Two up-market guesthouses reflect the grandeur and elegance of the typical Free State farmstead. Self-catering also available.

Contact numbers: Francolin Creek: Tel: (058) 852 315, Cell: 082 856 2607, Fax: (058) 853 1745 1. Ghoya Africa: Tel: (058) 852 3265, Cell: 082 770 1926, Fax: (058) 853 0682, Cell: 082 744 8813.


Self Drive Route

Of course, there are numerous self-drive routes to and through the Free State, but for lack of space on this website, click here for detailed directions.