Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein is a city in South Africa that was created in 1846 and presently has a population of roughly half a million people.

The Lord of the Rings author J. R. R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein in 1892.

In Bloemfontein, South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) political party was formed in 1923.

Bloemfontein is now a compact metropolis surrounded by extensive suburbs.

Fortunately, walking about the city center during the day is secure, however much of the city’s activities are concentrated around the Waterfront and Mimosa malls, as well as the enormous athletic complex. The bulk of the city’s pubs and eateries are located north of the Waterfront mall on Second Avenue.

Bloemfontein has a semi-arid climate, with hot summer days (max:32 °C (90 °F) min:19 °C (66 °F); frequent afternoon thunderstorms) and colder, dry winters (max:14 °C (57 °F) min:3 °C (27 °F)). Snow is infrequent, however it snowed in the city as recently as August 2006, with snowfalls at the airport again on July 26, 2007.

Bloemfontein lies in central South Africa, at a height of 1,400 meters (4,600 feet), on the southern edge of the Highveld, bordering the semi-arid Karoo area. The terrain is mostly flat, with a few hills (koppies in Afrikaans) here and there, and the flora is mostly Highveld grassland.

Bloemfontein Airport is located just outside the city and serves as a hub for flights to major South African cities run by South African Airways and SA Airlink, as well as flights to Cape Town operated by Mango Airlines.

Bloemfontein is an important rail junction in South Africa’s heart. Spoornet offers frequent trains from here to all parts of the nation, including the south to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, and Mthatha, the west to Kimberley, the north to Johannesburg, and the east to Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

The railway station is located in the city center, at the intersection of Maitland and Harvey streets.

To reserve rail tickets, call +27 86 000-8888 (from inside South Africa) or +27 11 774-4555. (from outside SA).

There are a variety of bus routes that link to major South African cities.

• Greyhound,  +27 83 915-9000.
• Intercape Mainliner,  +27 21 380-4400.
• Translux.
• SA Roadlink,  +27 11 333-2223.

• Avis, Bloemfontein Airport, +27 51 433-2331. Open 6AM-8PM weekdays, 8AM-4PM on Saturdays.
• Tempest Car Hire, Bloemfontein Airport, +27 51 433-2146. Open 6:30AM-6:30PM weekdays, 8AM-2PM on Saturdays.
• Hertz, Bloemfontein Airport,  +27 51 400-2100. Open 6:30AM-7:30PM weekdays, 7:30AM-5PM on Saturdays.
• First Car Rental, Bloemfontein Airport,  +27 51 430-0390. Open 7AM-8PM weekdays, 8AM-4PM on Saturdays.

Bloemfontein suburbs include Heidedal to the east and southeast, Bain’s Vlei, Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate, Brandwag, Ehrlich Park, Fauna, Fichardt Park, Fleurdal, Gardenia Park, Generaal De Wet, Hospitaalpark, Kiepersol, Loerier Park, Park West, Pellissier, Uitsig, Universitas, Westdene, Wilgehof and Willows to the south of the city. To the west of Bloemfontein, you will find Langenhoven Park. To the north you will find Arboretum, Baysvalley, Bayswater, Dan Pienaar, Helicon Heights, Heuwelsig, Hillsboro, Hillside, Hilton, Naval Hill, Navalsig, Noordhoek, Pentagon Park, Panorama Park, and Waverley. To the north east you will find Roodewal and Vallombrosa. The predominantly black suburbs are; Rocklands, Phahameng, Phelindaba, Bloemanda, Botshabelo and the most historic Batho where the Maphikela House (where the African National Congress started) is situated.

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• Anglo Boer War Museum, Monument Road, +27 51 447-3447. For a history on the war 1899 to 1902
• Boyden Observatory,  +27 84 429-9080, e-mail:gerrit@cosmicsafari.com. Investigate the southern sky under the dark and pristine skies of the Free State.
• Choet Visser Rugby Museum, +27 51 436-4124. By appointment only.
• Fire Station Museum, Erlich Park Fire Station, Church Street,  +27 51 405-8730, e-mail: braam@civic.mangaung.co.za. By appointment. There are 17 historic fire engines on display, as well as a variety of automobiles, scooters, steam engines, and even ox carts.
• National Botanical Garden, Rayton Road,off Dan Pienaar Drive,  +27 51 436-361, e-mail: fsnbg@sanbi.org. 8AM-6PM daily. R10 entrance fee.
• National Museum, 36 Aliwal Street,   +27 51 447-9609, e-mail:ornito@nasmus.co.za. Open 8AM-5PM Monday to Friday, 10AM-5PM on Saturday and 12PM-5:30PM on Sundays.. Home to the Florisbad skull. R5 entrance fee.
• Naval Hill and Franklin Game Reserve. 8AM-5PM. The reserve, which is situated on top of a hill overlooking the city center, is home to a variety of wild creatures (none of which are harmful). A driving circuit winds its way around the top of the hill. You may also park your vehicle near the observatory and take a stroll or have a picnic there. free.
• Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street,   +27 51 447-9609, e-mail: oliewen@nasmus.co.za. Open 8AM-5PM Monday to Friday and 10AM-5PM on Saturday. In a wonderfully renovated Cape-Dutch style home and grounds, there is an outstanding art museum. The Oliewenhuis presents ever-changing temporary exhibitions of modern art and photography, while the permanent show upstairs is more conventional. The sculpture garden in the rear has a lovely café that is a welcome respite from the city’s drab retail complexes. Entrance is free.
• Women’s Memorial.
• Presidency Museum, Pres. Brand Street,  +27 51 448-0949. Open 10AM-12:15PM and 1PM-4PM Tuesday to Friday. This old presidential mansion in the Orange Free Stare Republic has been restored to its turn-of-the-century condition.
• Queens Fort Military Museum, 116 Church Street,   +27 51 447-5478, e-mail: naln@majuba.ofs.gov.za. Open 10AM-12:15PM and 1PM-4PM Monday to Friday. Exhibitions about the two Boer wars and the battle against apartheid.
• SA Armour Museum (West of town, follow Nelson Mandela (R64) west towards the N1, you’ll see a sign). On the grounds of Tempe Military Base, the SA Armour Museum displays a variety of objects related to military armour. The SA Armour Museum is divided into three sections: inside, outdoors, and a reference library. Some of the most noteworthy displays are apartheid-era riot control vehicles developed in South Africa and ancient Soviet tanks acquired by South Africans in Angola.

Bloemfontein residents dine early – even by South African standards, if you arrive at a restaurant after 7:30PM, particularly on a weekday, you may get some strange stares from the employees and hurried service as they hurry to close up shop and go home.

• Fishpaste restaurant and bar, 31 President Steyn ave, Westdene,   +27 51 430-2662. This is the location to visit. Excellent meal in a unique setting.
• Mexican Restaurant, 19A Second Avenue Westdene,   +27 51 430-4526.Except for the large Aztec monument that overlooks the dining area, there isn’t much that is Mexican about this location. Steakhouse and seafood. One of the most upscale steakhouses in the city. Fantastic cuisine and service in a stunning restaurant with a well curated bar. Several accolades for cuisine and service have been given to this restaurant. Come and have fun!
• Cape Town Fish Market, Eeufees Road (Northridge mall),  +27 51 436-6148. A branch of the well-known CTFM business. The drive into the northern suburbs is well worth it.
• Beethoven’s Cafe Restaurant, Victorian Square, Second Avenue,   +27 51 448-7223.A nice alternative for breakfast, lunch, or a light supper, and a step up from the commercial eateries in the shopping malls (by Bloemfontein standards). The only drawback is that the terrace looks out over the parking lot.
• New York’s, 60 Medene Centre, Second Ave,   +27 51 447-7279.Although not the greatest steakhouse in town, it is one of the better ones. It’s a good option for families.

• Go to the Waterfront
• Play a game of golf with your friends.
• Visit one of the area’s many game reserves for sightseeing and hunting.
• Take a stroll along President Brand Street, which is bordered with trees, and explore the many museums.
• Drive through the northern suburbs to observe the beautiful gardens.
• Visit the City Zoo located just behind the Waterfront retail center. A stuffed Liger, a hybrid between a lion and a tiger, that was bred in the zoo in the 1930s, may be found at this zoo. The world record for the biggest live cat is held by this specimen.
• Soetdoring Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Soetdoring (about 40 km from Bloemfontein on the main Bultfontein road). closes at 8:00 p.m. A lovely wildlife reserve in the Free State, near to Bloemfontein. The lions in the tiny enclosure in the heart of the park set it distinct, however the area is large enough that seeing the cats is not certain. The remainder of the reserve is beautiful, with broad plains, forested regions, and a dam — there are no hazardous animals in the main park, so you may stroll about freely. A one-day hiking track follows the Modder River and is suitable for families with little children. R20 per vehicle.

Bloemfontein is far safer than the majority of other cities. During the day, you may stroll across downtown (although it will be eerily quiet after the shops close). The Waterfront and adjacent retail malls are secure and monitored 24 hours a day, and 2nd Street (the major dining strip) is safe at all hours of the day and night. Avoid places near the train station and anyplace east of the railway lines if feasible (where the traditional townships are located).