Free state
Amongst the 9 provinces of beautiful South Africa, outsiders tend to know very little about the Free State. Though, it is not as high profile as the likes of Gauteng and the Western Cape, the Free State is actually a rural paradise within the Republic and boasts the warmest and friendliest hospitality anywhere in the country. Surrounded by several other states and sharing a border with the Kingdom of Lesotho, the province is framed by the Vaal River in the north and Orange River in the south.
The Free State is all about nature and the great outdoors and has an exceptionally high standard of living; it is also where South Africa’s incredible cultural diversity is most prominently displayed as is evident in street names, public buildings and monuments. In fact some of the country’s most valuable San rock art can be found in this province. The Free State has a wide assortment of must-visit tourist attractions; amongst them the most popular being the Vredefort Dome, which is the oldest and largest meteorite impact site in the world. It was formed approximately 2000 years ago, when a meteorite supposedly larger than Table Mountain hit the earth nearby to where Vredefort is today.
Another incredible tourist attraction is the breathtaking Golden Gate National Park. Situated at the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, Golden Gate gets its name from its contrasting and decadent shades of gold and boasts brilliant mountain views that enhance South Africa’s reputation as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Other attractions to frequent include the National Museum in Bloemfontein, the Free State National Botanical Garden, and the Basotho Cultural Village.
