14 Interesting Things to See and Fun Activities to Do in Bloemfontein

July 7, 2024 Mustafa Natalwala 786 Views

Bloemfontein, also called Bloem, is the capital of the Free State province of South Africa. The city is surrounded by several nature reserves. Wildlife safaris and adventure tours are among the most interesting things to do in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

In fact, the city’s native name means “place of cheetahs”. While there are many nature reserves to see this majestic cat, you can also explore sanctuaries dedicated to cheetahs. The fastest land animal is one of the top things to see in Bloemfontein.

You can also get close to these quick cats and other animals at the Cheetah Experience. It is one of the most fun activities to do in Bloemfontein, SA. You also get to pet and feed cute little cheetah cubs at this place. However, wildlife spotting during Bloemfontein sightseeing is not limited to cheetahs.

You will get to see a variety of animals while exploring the wilderness around the city. This includes deer, lions, wildebeests, zebra, giraffe, and several others. These nature reserves are also some of the most beautiful places to visit in Bloemfontein, South Africa. You can enjoy incredible scenic views that get etched in the memory.

In the city, you get to explore history, art, and culture. It was one of the most important sites of the Anglo-Boer War and several Bloemfontein tourist attractions are dedicated to this historic event. The city also has a vibrant art scene that celebrates modern and historic artists. Many of the Bloemfontein attractions are also popular for shopping. You get to enjoy the modern side in the malls and the traditional side in the markets. The same goes for food. You have as much variety to explore in street food during Bloemfontein travel as you have with restaurants.

Going back to the forests around, there is a lot of places to go in Bloemfontein for adventure as well. You can enjoy skydiving, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and several other outdoor activities. One the flip side, there are also beautiful places in Bloemfontein where people go just to relax. There is an entire farm dedicated to spas, therapy baths, pastoral life, and nature retreats. It is one of the most popular attractions near Bloemfontein and we have covered it in more detail in the next section.

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Table of Contents

Top 14 Tourist Places to Visit in Bloemfontein, South Africa

1. Oliewenhuis Art Museum

This museum is dedicated to creations by South African artists. You will see the works of early as well as contemporary artists. Some of the most popular artists exhibited in this museum include Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, Jan Ernst Volschenk, Willem Coetzer, Pieter Wenning, Thomas Baines, and so on.

It is one of the best places to visit in Bloemfontein to experience the local culture and art scene. The museum also exhibits works of emerging artists in temporary exhibits. These can be really interesting as it gives a fresh perspective on the region.

If you want to take in the vibe a little bit more you can explore the complex to see sculptures of South African historical figures and enjoy some time at the cafe. You can easily spend an hour or so to explore this museum when you visit Bloemfontein, South Africa.

2. Franklin Nature Reserve (Naval Hill Nature Reserve)

If you are looking for interesting things to do in Bloemfontein, there is nothing that beats a wildlife safari. This reserve is home to zebras, springboks, giraffes, eland wildebeests, and many more.

You can enjoy a great safari experience not far from the city. The reserve is also home to some great Bloemfontein tourist attractions. You will see the tallest statue of Nelson Mandela in the reserve. The Naval Hill was also the site of the Anglo-Boer War. This is where the British Naval guns were positioned during the war and the gets its name from the event.

If not for a wildlife safari, you can also enjoy several other outdoor activities to do in Bloemfontein. The reserve has tracks for nature trails, jogging, cycling, and hiking. You will also find restaurants where you can enjoy a meal with majestic views. The hill is one of the best places to go in Bloemfontein for recreation and you can easily dedicate a couple of hours of trip to this site.

3. Choet Visser Rugby Museum

This is the largest private museum in the world and is entirely dedicated to the sport of Rugby. The museum celebrates every aspect of the game including history, championships, victories, defeats, and stories of athletes.

The museum has some of the most interesting things to see in Bloemfontein in terms of sports memorabilia. You will see signed photographs, shoes, jerseys, blazers, and cartoons. It takes about 30-45 minutes to tour the museums, but true fans of the game would enjoy more time here.

4. Bagamoya Wildlife Estate

This wildlife park has some of the most fun things to do near Bloemfontein, South Africa. It’s a place where you can have close encounters with wild animals. You can feed cute little tigers and lion cubs. You can even pat a full-grown cheetah, under careful supervision, of course. Visitors can also help feed adult big cats during the tour.

The estate is also one of the best attractions near Bloemfontein for a safari tour. The park is home to lions, antelopes, jackals, cheetahs, ostriches, zebra, giraffe, and several other animals. You will need at least 2 to 3 hours from Bloemfontein travel to enjoy this place.

5. Toyota Stadium / Free State Stadium (Vodacom Park)

This stadium was built for the 1985 Rugby World Cup and now serves as the home ground of the Cheetahs. If you want to experience the local sports culture, go for a game at the stadium. Even if you know nothing about Rugby, you enjoy the electric vibe as the fans get behind their team.

It is also one of the best Bloemfontein attractions to mingle with the locals. People love their team and would gladly talk to anyone who shares the experience. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to enjoy a game.

6. The National Museum

This museum gives you insight into the history of the region. It dives into politics, culture, art, tradition, and natural history. This is one of the best places to begin Bloemfontein sightseeing. It helps put the rest of the trip into perspective.

The museum goes back to the Stone Age to trace the history of civilization in the region. It goes further back to showcase the natural history with fossils and archeological findings.

It is also one of the most interesting places to see in Bloemfontein to learn about culture. You will also get to learn a great deal about the traditional culture of different tribes through their music, traditions, art, clothing, beliefs, household items, and so on. It takes about an hour to tour this museum.

7. Anglo-Boer War Museum (War Museum of the Boer Republics Bloemfontein)

This museum traces the historic Anglo-Boer War from the perspective of Boers. The war was pivotal in the history of South Africa. The museum shows the brutality of the war and its impact on black South Africans.

This is one of the most poignant tourist attractions in Bloemfontein. The museum talks about the horrors of war prisons and camps. Some of the exhibits truly shock you to the core.

The museum is also home to the National Women’s Monument. This monument honors the 26,000 women and children who died in British concentration camp. You will need 2 hours to tour this museum when you visit Bloemfontein.

8. Skydiving

This is one of the most fun activities to do in Bloemfontein. You get to fly over beautiful landscapes around the city. Then you jump out the plane to get a bird’s eye view of the majestic natural beauty. You can enjoy tandem skydiving if you are uninitiated. The centre also has courses to help you get better and enjoy the experience even more. You will need about 2 hours for this experience. Although training sessions are longer.

9. Free State National Botanical Garden

This botanical garden has beautiful landscaping and grows more than 400 species of plants. It is also home to a petrified tree that is believed to be more than 150 million years old. The garden is also home to a two-century-old olive tree.

If you are looking for nice places to visit in Bloemfontein, these gardens fit the bill like a glove. You will also see many birds, small mammals, and reptiles at these gardens. You can easily spend an hour enjoying the tranquility of these botanical gardens.

10. Naval Hill Planetarium

This was the first digital planetarium in the Sub-Saharan region. Interestingly this centre of science is surrounded by nature. It sits in a reserve with many animals including zebra and wildbeasts. You might see them on your way to the planetarium.

It is one of the best things to do near Bloemfontein for families. You will get to explore the mysteries of the universe with amazing cinematic experiences. You will need about an hour to enjoy a show at the planetarium.

11. De Oude Kraal Country Estate and Spa

This estate is perhaps among the best places to go near Bloemfontein. The estate has been passed down for generations and is housed in a sheep farm. It is a place where you can come to relax and rejuvenate while surrounded by nature.

The estate has a variety of spa therapies and baths for relaxation, each unique in its own way. The estate all has a lot of stuff to do in Bloemfontein to get you active as well.

You can enjoy sports, hiking, safari, clay shooting, mountain biking, and more. People can make a quick trip to the estate, but it is better to take some time from Bloemfontein sightseeing to explore and enjoy the place.

12. Cheetah Experience Conservation Centre

Getting to see the world’s fastest animal is one of the top things to do in Bloem. This experience is dedicated to these slender fast cats. You will see adult cheetahs sprawling around in a natural habitat. If you are lucky, you might even get to see them race at full speed.

People also get to touch, pet and even play a little with adorable cheetah cubs at the experience centre. The conservation centre is also home to lions, wolves, leopards, and several other animals.

It is definitely one of the most interesting places to visit in Bloemfontein if you are looking for a memorable experience. You will need at least 2 hours to enjoy this conservation centre.

13. Langenhovenpark Boeremark

This farmers market is held on Saturday between 7 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon. You will get fresh produce, food products, jams, dried fruits, beverages, and a whole lot of local street food.

The market also hosts several stores where you can buy handicraft items, clothes, and second-hand stuff. It is one of the best Bloemfontein attractions to explore for a genuine local experience. You can easily enjoy a couple of hours exploring this market.

14. Loch Logan Waterfront

This huge stadium is also the biggest shopping mall in Central Africa. The mall has a variety of stores, cafes, restaurants, entertainment venues, spas, and more. You can also tour the stadium or join the fans for a game to feel the energetic environment. It is one of the best places in Bloemfontein for rugby fans. You can easily spend a couple of hours at the mall and the stadium.

If you are looking for more places to visit in Bloemfontein, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of attractions and activities in the city and around it.

Things to do in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Bloemfontein, South Africa

War Museum of the Boer Republics
Oliewenhuis Art Museum
National Bloemfontein Museum
South African Armour Museum
First Raadsaal Museum
Freshford House Museum
Old Presidency Museum
Queens Fort Military Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Naval Hill Nature Reserve
Zanchieta Wildlife Rescue
Bagamoya Wildlife Estate

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Free State National Botanical Garden
Toyota Stadium
Naval Hill Planeterium
Jumper’s Lane
Modenso Park
Boyden Observatory
Windmill Casino
Schoeman Park
Bobbies Park
Gwenbali Waterworld
De Oude Kraal Country Estate
Kings Park Rose Garden

Shopping in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Loch Logan Waterfront
Langhoven Market
Preller Square Shopping Centre
Middestad Mall
Mimosa Mall
The Towers Shopping Centre
Twin City Mall
Bloem Plaza
Wolkewinkel
Gardenia Square

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Hiking
Wildlife Safari
Gliding
Flight Tours
Scuba Diving

Sightseeing in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Die Nasionale Vrouemonument
Fourth Raadsaal
Nelson Mandela Statue

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Bloemfontein, South Africa

New York Restaurant
Boho Bistro
The Blue Gem
Santa Fe
Bella Casa
Braza
Longhorn
Salsa Mexican
Margaritas Seafood & Steak
Hennie’s
Iewers Nice
Four Four Food
Bushpub
Curry Delights
Zaika
Lejit Lekker
Copper Clover
Seven on Kellner
Black Bistro Lounge
Margaritas
Avanti

Where to Stay in Bloemfontein?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Bloemfontein. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Bloemfontein.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

How to Reach Bloemfontein, South Africa?

By Air

The Bloemfontein Airport sits just outside the city and is connected to a few cities in South Africa. You can get direct flights to visit Bloemfontein from Cape Town, Durban, George, and Johannesburg. Once you get to the airport, you can take a cab or a bus ride to get to the city.

By Road

You can get direct trains to reach Bloemfontein from several cities in the country. This includes Port Elizabeth, Mthatha, Johannesburg, and East London. You can also get buses to travel to Bloemfontein from several towns and cities in South Africa. However, if you are looking for speed and convenience of travel, go for a train.

On the other hand, if you are planning for Bloemfontein travel by road, you should head for highway routes 1,6, or 8. These three routes intersect at Bloemfontein.

By Water

Being a landlocked city, there are no direct water routes to reach Bloemfontein.

Image Reference

Oliewenhuis Art Museum – Esther Westerveld / Flickr
Franklin Nature Reserve (Naval Hill Nature Reserve) – Diether / Wikimedia Commons
Choet Visser Rugby Museum –
Bagamoya Wildlife Estate –
Toyota Stadium / Free State Stadium (Vodacom Park) – Graham Maclachlan / Wikimedia Commons
The National Museum – South African Tourism / Flickr
Anglo-Boer War Museum (War Museum of the Boer Republics Bloemfontein) – Katangais / Wikimedia Commons
Skydiving – Stefan Räuschel / PixaBay
Free State National Botanical Garden – Esther Westerveld / Flickr
Naval Hill Planetarium – Diether / Wikimedia Commons
De Oude Kraal Country Estate and Spa –
Cheetah Experience Conservation Centre –
Langenhovenpark Boeremark –
Loch Logan Waterfront – South African Tourism / Flickr