Things to Do in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Bloemfontein Things to Do

Visit the tourist center first for more information about local attractions and activities.

Tourist Center

The Bloemfontein Tourist Center is kind of a ‘One Stop Shop’ for Tourism. It has a large free car park and is located in a mall type set up. In the mall is food, toilets (pay), souvenir shops and several bus companies that use this as a bus station with links all over southern Africa. The staff of the actual Information Office are helpful and will give you a large, free, colorful map that has everything you will need on it. They can also assist with accommodation information.

Soetdoring Nature Reserve

Soetdoring means “thorn tree,” and there are plenty of them in the area. Soetdoring nature reserve lies about 40 km from Bloemfontein on the main Bultfontein road. There is a lot to see and do here. There are almost 15 picnic points near the Modder River, which passes through the reserve, and lots of game animals to admire, including zebras, boks, kudus, buffaloes and birds. There is a fenced area for lions, and if you’re interested, plan to visit early Wednesday morning – lions are fed at 7:30 am every Wednesday morning, and they come out of the bush for food. There is a per-vehicle entrance fee, and they close the gate at 6 pm, so make sure you’re out before that. There are BBQs at all of the picnic spots, and you can use the broken branches of the soetdoring trees for fuel.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Bloemfontein.