Spreading
from the Vaal River in the north to the border of Lesotho
in the south, the Free State lies at the heart of
the country's interior. Bordered by five of South Africa's provinces,
most
of the area is covered with undulating grassland plains and
corn or 'mielie' fields stretching as far as the eye can
see.
It's southern reaches give way to the mountainous ramparts
of the Lesotho Drakensberg which spawn the Caledon River.
The Caledon meets the largest of South Africa's rivers,
the Orange, at the Ghariep
Dam near Colesberg. Covering
374 square
kilometres this vast expanse of inland water is the pefect
holiday destination and offers many activities including
guided
tours through the dam wall, river rafting, boat trips, fishng
and game drives in the adjoining Ghariep Nature Reserve.
Bloemfontein is the capital of the Free State and is steeped
in Afrikaner and British history. The city hosts a number
interesting buildings - the futuristic Civic Centre stands
in stark contrast to the historical architecture of The
Fourth
Raadsaal, the Bavarian style Dutch Reformed Church and the
National Museum. Many monuments celebrating battles of the
Anglo-Boer war bring Bloemfontein's stormy history to life.
The Free State goldfields are centered around the town of
Welkom and contain some of the largest reserves of the precious
metal anywhere in the world. The skyline of this area is dominated
by the headgears of mines rich in uranium and gold, where
underground tours are the highlight of any visit. The enormous
quantities of water pumped from the underground chambers form
pans that have become home to a proliferation of bird species
including flamingo, sacred ibis, Muscovy duck and marsh owls.
An hour's drive from the town of Bethlehem lies the Golden
Gate National Park at the foot of the Maluti
Mountain Range.
The park is best known for its spectacular red and yellow
sandstone formations that turn golden in the setting sun.
Unusual bird life like the bearded vulture (lammergeyer)
and secretary bird share this high altitude habitat with
herds
of wildebeest, zebra, oribi, mountain reedbuck and
buffalo.
There are plenty of hiking trails into the mountains, but
come
prepared; winters here are cold and subzero night temperatures
are common.
Bethlehem is also the perfect place to
start a trip down
Route 26. The scenic Maloti
Route follows
the Maluti Range south
through Ladybrand, Hobhouse, Wepener and Zastron. The local
Sotho people will guide you to rock art sites, cultural
centres
and historical landmarks. For the more adventurous, a night
spent in a traditional mud hut will provide a refreshing
change
to B&B accommodation and cuisine.
At Zastron, lying at the foot of the Aasvoelberg - highest
peak in the Free State (2207m) - be sure to look for the "Eye
of Zastron", a hole nine metres in diameter in one of the
cliffs. It's here you will feel the lure of the 'Kingdom in
the Sky', Lesotho, who's border is only a few kilometers to
the south east.
Freestate 
