R34

Bloemhof is an agricultural centre with tall maize silos, a creamery and factories producing salt and malt. Bloemhof Dam, upstream from the town, has created a lake popular for fishing, boating and swimming. On the shore is a caravan park. History The town of Bloemhof possibly owes its existence to the luck of John Barclay, who survived the famous Birkenhead shipwreck of 1852 to buy a farm on the veld. The place became known for the flower garden, or bloemhof, laid out by his daughter, which made a colourful contrast to the bleak surroundings. For some years, Barclay ferried animals and vehicles across the Vaal River on a pontoon knowns as the North Star. Diamonds were discovered in the area in the 1870s and Barclay's farm became the centre of a town. Remains of the old diggings can…

Edenville is a small farming town situated in the northern Free State province of South Africa. Most of the residential roads are still dirt roads.The town was proclaimed on 29 October 1912 and is surrounded by a farming community, situated between Heilbron and Kroonstad on the R34 in the Riemland district. Edenville is well known for the Sernick Bonsmara cattle breeding farm as well as the farming of extensive amounts of maize and sunflowers, amongst others. The local garage has a collection of old vintage cars and the NG church in Kerk Street is a popular sandstone landmark.The Renoster River flows close by and is one of the biggest riviers in the district.

eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park can be located a short distance (approx 10 kms) south of the town of Ulundi, along the White Mfolozi River, on the R66. It was created through the consolidation of the 8 000 hectare KZN Wildlife Ophathe game reserve with another 20 000 hectares of land bought for the purpose by the heritage authority, AMAFA. This rugged and beautiful park provides visitors with an incomparable opportunity to enjoy the area's diverse natural, historical and cultural heritage simultaneously. The park displays a variety of habitats which include valley bush veld, mist belt grasslands, wetland, woodland, ngongoni grassland and riparian. Endangered black rhino Established in…

Empangeni, easily accessed via the N2 highway, lies 170 kilometres north of Durban and only about 20 kilometres inland from Richards Bay on KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast. The picturesque town is surrounded by hilly countryside and sugarcane plantations, Empangeni is all about sugarcane, timber, hot days and outdoor attractions! The 295-hectare Enseleni Nature Reserve, whose name is isiZulu for 'lair of the badger' is situated only 14 km north east and is the perfect attraction for birdwatchers and trail hikers/runners. Empangeni forms the gateway to the reserves of Hluhluwe and Umfolozi and is a good stopover before venturing further afield. The town itself offers a museum, war memorial…

Enseleni Nature reserve consists of coastal grasslands and forest and the Nseleni river provides a freshwater habitat. Birding For birding enthusiasts the reserve boasts several unusual or rare species, namely African finfoot, purple crested lourie, Pels fishing owl, white-eared barbet and three species of elusive nightjars, Mozambique, fiery necked and European. Game Game species found in the reserve include giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, reedbuck, waterbuck, bushbuck, bushpig, red, blue and grey duiker, hippopotamus, crocodile, large-spotted genet and the shy bushbaby. Walking trails There are two walking trails in the reserve, the Nkonkoni trail which is 7 km long and the Mvubu trail which is 2 km. Both offer fantastic scenery and the opportunity to spot a variety of birds…

Frankfort is situated south east of the Vaal Dam and Vereeniging, only 30 km from the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban. The town lies in the centre of the Free State Maize farming area. This particularly picturesque farming town on the banks of the Wilge River with its Weeping Willows is somewhat of an oasis in the usually hot interior of the Free State and the Frankfort River Resort is worth a mention for those who love water sports – it offers an abundance of welcome shade anything from fishing to little boat trip! Frankfort is only an hour from Warden and is often used as an alternative stop for travellers, between Durban and Johannesburg, who prefer a more “out of the way”…

Heilbron is a small farming community lying just over an hour’s drive south of Johannesburg. The fields surrounding the pretty little agricultural town are the site of cattle, sunflowers, maize and sorghum and Clover SA forms an important part of the town's history. The rise in the number of game farms in the region is evident in the rising tourist numbers – the towns close proximity to Gauteng means weekends away and holidays in the countryside with fresh air, game viewing and plenty of outdoor activities at your fingertips! The area offers hiking trails, 4×4, mountain biking, horse riding, birding, fishing and forms part of the Riemland Wine Route - a 200 km tour connecting…

Hoopstad lies an hour and a half north of Bloemfontein, in the heart of the Goldfields Region which stretches from Ventersburg in the south, to Hoopstad in the north and Boshof in the west. Besides the Goldfields Region, Hoopstad is centrally located in South Africa’s Maize Triangle, with a small-town economy based primarily on agriculture. Not a major tourist stop, this little farm town's main attraction is its atmosphere, the “no fuss, no rush attitude" where time slows down and visitors can stop and enjoy the countryside! Hoopstad’s principle attractions are the nearby Sandveld Nature Reserve and the Bloemhof Dam on the Vaal River, one of the largest dams in South Africa and the location of several National and International fishing competitions. The town also boasts several…

Third Largest Town in the Free State Kroonstad is situated almost exactly halfway between Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, a perfect pitstop when travelling along the N1. Not just a pitstop though, Kroonstad is also a wonderful destination to visit. It is said to be one of the Free State’s loveliest towns - the green agricultural lands bring a sense of peacefulness to the town which lies on the banks of the Vals River. Loved for its wide, open spaces and abundance of vegetation, Kroonstad is a paradise for nature lovers. Activities include fishing on the Vals River or Bloemhok Dam, hiking trails, birdwatching, horse riding and golfing at the Kroonstad Country Club! Kroonstad has a few immaculately preserved historical buildings which give it a nostalgic atmosphere. Some of the fine…

Cleanest Air in SA Melmoth is a small agricultural town situated approximately 200 kilometres from Durban and a mere 88 km from Richards Bay. It is often referred to the Gateway to the Zululand Highlands and, in the SA edition of Trivial Pursuit, as having the cleanest air in the country! This charming little town is surrounded by farmlands, mainly timber and sugar cane. Melmoth is well located for travellers wanting to explore the fascinating historical elements and nature and game reserves in the area. The area encompasses one of the largest conservancies in KwaZulu-Natal, plus a major bird sanctuary of the Zululand Birding Route and the well-known Zululand Heritage Route includes…

Memel is situated in the Drakenberg area of the north-eastern Free State, a richly grassed landscape of undulating slopes and occasional high koppies. It lies close to the neighbouring towns of Newcastle and Vrede. Surrounding the town is a beautiful, unspoilt area almost dominated by mountain scenery and water. Memel, meaning 'surrounded by water' is an appropriate name for this olde-worlde town as it is close to the Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve, one of the largest remaining wetlands in South Africa making it a site of international ecological significance which has become a bird lover’s haven. It is listed as a RAMSAR site and is a beautifully meandering floodplain - home to hippos and…

Newcastle is the largest town in Northern KwaZulu-Natal and is situated on the alternative route linking Gauteng and Durban. The town lies in the Battlefields Region between the towns of Volksrust and Ladysmith. Newcastle is historically of great interest to each visitors’ who want to gain more information on the Anglo-Boer War. Visitors can inspect the sites of some of the major battles fought during the first War of Independence, including the battlefields of Laing's Nek and the Battle of Majuba, where the British suffered their final defeat. The town also offers many monuments and memorials such as Hilldrop House, once the dwelling place of Author Rider Haggard, and…

Oldest Gold Mining Town in SA Odendaalsrus is a small mining town some 20 km north of Welkom and under 3 hours from Johannesburg. This is a small tranquil town with much of the surrounding area used for agriculture. Odendaalsrus has highly successful farmers and is proud of its flourishing farming community. Despite being a large farming area, Odendaalsrus still boasts all the necessary facilities and services and it is in close proximity for residents who enjoy a bit of city life once in a while.   This may not be a big tourist town, however the natural beauty of the landscape has an inviting appeal and visitors will enjoy the warm sunshine and peace and quiet. Odendaalsrus has a unique vibe where photographers and artists can express themselves. A few attractions can be found in the…

Richards Bay lies almost halfway between Durban and Kosi Bay and serves as an entrance to Zululand.  Its spectacular scenery and unspoilt beaches has understandably become a popular holiday destination on the north coast of KwaZulu Natal.Richards Bay has plenty to offer its visitors from art gallaries to bird-watching. The Zululand Birding Route includes the Game Reserve, also known as New Mouth, which covers freshwater pans, mud flats and extensive mangroves. The towns’ coastline stretches 350 km from the Turgela River in the south to the Mozambique border in the north and its golden shores include endless unspoilt beaches perfect for surfing, swimming, fishing and canoeing.The…

Schweizer-Reneke is a small agricultural town between Bloemhof and Vryburg on the banks of the Harts River. The town is a little underwhelming, other than the holiday resort near Wentzel Dam which is a popular spot for anglers and bird watchers. The town offers a few historical sites of interest which includes the Kliphuisie Guesthouse, a national monument and the site of the towns first police station and the facade of the town's bank which has remained unaltered since it was built in the early 1900’s. Approximately 20 km out of town on the Delareyville Road are San Bushman rock paintings thought to be over 20 000 years old! Small it may be, but Schweizer-Reneke is the birthplace of a number of well-known South African personalities, such as politicians Ahmed Kathrada and…

Utrecht lies nestled in the foothills of the Balele Mountain Range, just 50 km from Newcastle, and is unique in the fact that it is situated within the Utrecht Balele Community Game Park with no fences between the town and the game park. This unique fact means, more often than you may think, wildlife can be spotted roaming the streets after dark – when the human population are asleep, and they feel less threatened! The surrounding beauty of the fauna and flora that lies this close to the town is a real attraction for those choosing Utrecht as a tourist destination. Utrecht serves as an eco-tourism centre and offers commercial hunting as a part of the game management programme. Other…

Vrede, meaning 'peace' lies in the North-Eastern Free State about 20km east of the N3, close to the Mpumalanga border. It is just 220 km from northern Johannesburg, and about 30km the other side of Carolina on the R102 to Warden and Harrismith on the Volksrust-Newcastle road. The town of Vrede was established in 1863 by European landowners of this area and was given its name after a dispute between the the founding members about its name was settled amicably ("in peace").  It is a scenic little town with an imposing sandstone Dutch Reformed Church and is surrounded by a large farming district finding itself at the hub of a 10 000 hectare region of agricultural plenty, including the Free…

The Texas of South Africa The agricultural town of Vryburg is situated on the N14 between Kuruman and Delareyville in the North-West province of South Africa. Vryburg is renowned for it's cattle ranching, often gets referred to as the "Texas of South Africa" and has a long and rich history dating back to 1882. History In the wars between the Tlapin tribe and the Korana Hottentots, a large number of European adventurers served as mercenaries with the two sides. At the end of the fighting, in July 1882, 416 of the mercenaries who had fought for the Hottentots received payment in the form of farms. These mercenaries then proclaimed their block of ranch land a republic and named it…

Vryheid is a centre for coal mining and ranching. History When Chetshwayo, the Zulu king, died on 8 February 1884, there was disagreement over the succession. Chetshwayo's son, Dinuzulu, found himself opposed by dissidents , notably a resolute fighting chief, Zibbebu, who had been granted independence by the British in their efforts to bring peace to Zululand after the Anglo-Zulu War. Dinuzulu's followers, the Suthu faction of the Zulus, were no match for Zibebu's fighting men, who also had the support of a number of European frontiersmen, who were friends of his, including John Colenbrander, who provided Zibebu with military guidance. Dinuzulu was approached by a group of Europeans -…

Wesselsbron is a small maize farming town 75 km south of Bothaville and 50 km from Welkom in the Free State Province. The town boasts one of the largest grain silos in the southern hemisphere. The town was founded in 1918 and named after the Boer Commandant, Cornelius Wessels, who led the Siege of Kimberley during the Anglo-Boer War in 1899.Tours can also be arranged to the Geese Farm, the grain silos, a horse breeding station, and a sunflower press.There are stunningly preserved San paintings on Boskop farm and Game hunting can also be arranged.