Bloemfontein is situated in the province of Free State, South Africa and it serves as the judicial capital of the country and the capital of the Free State. It is the sixth largest city in South Africa and it is conveniently located at a convergence in the main road, rail and air routes that link the East, West, South and North of the country. The name Bloemfontein means ‘flower fountain’ in Afrikaans and it therefore also make sense that the city often gets referred to as the City of Roses. Roses tend to thrive in the well-fertilized gardens and climate of the city. More than 4 000 rosebushes have been planted in Kings Park in Bloemfontein.

The city has an annual rainfall of 500mm with warm and green summers and cold and dry winters. The temperatures rise and fall to both the extremes, meaning that in winter one can expect temperatures below zero and in summer above 35.

Various cultures peacefully live side by side in Bloemfontein without the friction and agitation associated with the larger cities. Traffic is rarely a problem, not even at peak times due to the well planned street grid. The cost of living is also among the lowest in South Africa.

Bloemfontein Car Rental include

• Free mileage per day according to package booked (either 100km free per day OR 200 km free per day or unlimited mileage)
• Collision damage waiver liability. This covers you for damage to your hired vehicle in the event of an accident.
• Theft waiver
• Airport surcharges
• Bail bonds (where needed)
• All local taxes

Car Hire Pick Up And Drop Off Points

• Bloemfontein Airport

Bloemfontein Tourism

The National Museum

The National Museum in Charles Street, Bloemfontein displays one of the largest collections of fossils and other archeological finds in South Africa. The Florisbad skull, which is of particular interest to archaeologists who specialize in the field of prehistoric predecessors of modern man, is a certain high light in the museum. A realistic reconstruction of a Bloemfontein street scene in the year 1900 is also on display.

The old Presidency

The Old Fort in Church Street on the brow of the hill, overlooking the centre of Bloemfontein was built in 1848 to serve as a stronghold against native raids. Near the entrance is a monument which was build to honor the civilians of the Orange Free State Republic, who fell in the Basotho war. The Old Fort is now home to the Queen’s Fort Military Museum which depicts all the armed conflict that took place in the Orange Free State Republic since 1820. On the outside of the museum one will find various armed vehicles and canons plus an Impala Fighter Jet on display.

The Free State Agricultural Museum

This Museum is at the Glen Agricultural College in the northwest of Bloemfontein and it depicts daily farm activities and implements from various eras. The museum preserves various aspects of farming culture for future generations.

The Rugby and Motorcar museums

The Rugby Museum of Choet Visser in Bloemfontein is one of the largest private collections of its kind in the world. The collection of veteran and classic cars, motor cycles and motor-mobilia of Waldie Greyvenstein, contains items related to the motorcar from over a hundred years.

Bloemfontein’s Orchid House

Bloemfontein’s Orchid House is a modern nursery at the foot of Naval Hill in Hamilton Park. When entering the Orchid House one will encounter a tropical oasis of lush greenery and rare colorful orchids. A circular wooden walk way takes one on a journey of discovery around this tiny jungle of charm. There is also a fragrance garden for the blind nearby the oasis.

The Loch Logan Waterfront

The Loch Logan Waterfront is an innovative waterfront-style project on the Eastern banks of Loch Logan, a dam in the Bloemspruit which runs through the city. The waterfront offers entertainment, good restaurants, pubs, shops and a flee market. Close by is Bloemfontein’s series of modern sport stadia for rugby, cricket, tennis, athletics and hockey.

As one could assume while reading this article, Bloemfontein is not the perfect holiday town, but it offers a unique quality of life and atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else.

More Attractions

• Hertzog Square
• President Brand Street
• The Freshford House
• The National Women’s Memorial
• The Free State Education Museum
• The Afrikaans Literary Museum
• The Bloemfontein Zoo