Discover scenic beauty, rural tranquillity and fascinating tourist attractions on holiday in the Free State. Visit one of the Free State’s Big 5 holiday routes (Cheetah, Eagle, Lion, Flamingo and Springbok), each offering their own history, culture, adventure and natural attractions. The charming town of Clarens, known as “the Jewel of the Free State”, is set against a backdrop of the Maluti Mountains, making this little place a picture-perfect destination for weekend getaways.
Why go on holiday in the Free State
- Explore its extraordinary, quirky little towns and villages.
- Discover the beauty of the Eastern Highlands.
- Learn all about the Sotho peoples’ traditions and cultures.
- It’s where JRR Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, was born.
- Marvel at the incredible beauty of the Golden Gate National Park.
- See the Vredefort Dome, the earth’s largest meteorite impact site.
- Enjoy numerous adventure activities in the Parys area.
- Visit Bloemfontein and see the Franklin Game Reserve in the middle of the city.
The Free State’s towns and villages are all widely spread, offering a welcome feeling of solitude and of getting away from it all. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path getaway with family, friends or your partner, consider the Free State as an exciting holiday destination choice.
A holiday in the Free State is all about taking your time to get to know this fascinating destination, enjoying the diverse attractions and activities available. Whether you’re looking for a country retreat, a unique safari holiday, or a fascinating culture trip, you’ll find it in the Free State. Diverse, scenic and quirky, the Free State offers something for every type of holidaymaker looking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Free State tourist attractions and things to do on holiday
- Attend Bloemfontein’s Mangaung African Cultural Festival.
- Hike the 33km Rhebok Trail in Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
- Explore the Basotho Cultural Village.
- Take a guided tour through the passages inside the wall of the Gariep Dam.
- Visit Naval Hill in Bloemfontein, with its 6.5m-high statue of Nelson Mandela and its famous White Horse sculpture.
- Enjoy the cherry festival in Ficksburg that takes place every November.
- Try berry picking, great beer and ‘mampoer’ as well as plenty of art in Parys.
- Go white-water rafting on the Vaal River in Parys.
- Try your hand at fly fishing in Clarens, one of the country’s best trout fishing destinations.
- See the world's oldest and largest impact crater, the Vredefort Dome.
- Go on safari and view wildebeest in the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve.
- Enjoy bird watching and discover over 400 species of plants in the Free State National Botanical Garden.
With its wide-open spaces, breathtaking scenery, an abundance of birds and wildlife, and fascinating towns and villages, the Free State has its own unique charm that is begging to be discovered. Experience it all on an unforgettable family holiday, a romantic honeymoon or a road trip with your friends.
When is the best time to visit?
- The best time to visit the Free State province is in spring and autumn.
- In spring you can expect a magnificent display of colourful blossoms.
- In autumn the landscapes transform in shades of oranges, browns and reds.
- The weather here varies from very hot in the summer, to freezing in winter, depending on where you are visiting.
Getting there & getting around
- The Free State is serviced by one main airport in Bloemfontein. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein: 55 minutes.
- Flight duration from Cape Town to Bloemfontein: 1 hour, 38 minutes.
- You can also drive from Johannesburg to Free State province.
- Thompsons Holidays can assist with fly-in packages to Bloemfontein. Alternatively, we can offer accommodation-only packages for self-drive options.
- Wherever possible, buy local food and souvenirs and support local artisans.
- Take fabric shopping bags with you to avoid single-use plastic.
- Be safety conscious: don’t display cash or valuables. Leave jewellery and expensive watches at home.
- Keep your belongings safe – use the hotel safe for valuables.
- Contact the Thompsons Holidays 24-hour care line to assist.
