Free State

Understand

The former Oranje-Vrystaat (Orange Free State) was the heartland of the white Afrikaner population and therefore most people in this region speak Afrikaans, although the majority have SeSotho as mother tongue. It was one of the first independent states, before joining the South African Union, and the people here still live up to the Voortrekker traditions of braaing. The rich soil and pleasant climate allow a thriving agricultural industry. With more than 30,000 farms, which produce over 70% of the country's grain, it is known locally as South Africa's breadbasket. The Free State is an important agricultural area in South Africa, with beef and maize the primary products. The flats in the south of the reserve provide ideal conditions for large herds of plain game such as black wildebeest and springbok. The ridges, koppies and plains typical of the northern section are home to kudu, red hartebeest, southern white rhinoceros and buffalo. The Southern African wildcat, black wildebeest, zebra, eland, white rhinoceros and wild dog can be seen at the Soetdoring Nature Reserve near Bloemfontein. South African cheetahs were reintroduced in the Free State in 2013 after a hundred years of regional extinction.

Climate The Free State enjoys warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. Areas in the east experience frequent snowfalls, especially on the higher ranges, whilst the west can be extremely hot in summer. Almost all precipitation falls in the summer months as brief afternoon thunderstorms, with aridity increasing towards the west. Areas in the east around Harrismith, Bethlehem and Ficksburg are well watered. The capital, Bloemfontein, experiences hot, moist summers and cold, dry winters frequented by severe frost.

Getting there

By car The N1 highway runs through the Free State. It comes from Cape Town and goes further to Johannesburg and Pretoria and from there to Harare in Zimbabwe. Use this route when coming from/going to Mozambique, too. The N3 runs in the east of the Free State through Harrismith. Use it to go to Durban or the Gauteng area. The N8 goes from Bloemfontein to Kimberley and further to Upington. The N6 goes south to the Eastern Cape The N5 only serves as a connection between the N1 and the N3.

By plane Bloemfontein Airport (BFN IATA) has flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town and some other cities in South Africa. Flights are operated by the South African Airways family.

Getting around

Best by car, as there are little means of public transport and great distances between each of the towns and cities. The traffic police are very active, especially on the N1 — keep to the speed limit!

See

Bloemfontein The Gariep Dam — one of the biggest dams in South Africa Golden Gate Highlands Park — a famous park in the north of the Drakensberg Mountains

Go next

North-west are Kimberley with its diamond museum and Upington near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. South-west lies Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route. North-east is Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park. South-east is Durban and the Sunshine Coast.