Big cat enthusiasts can get close to cheetahs and other cats at this well-known non-profit wildlife refuge - Cheetah Experience - less than 12 kilometers from Bloemfontein, as the name suggests. Depending on the locals at the moment, the "See, Feel, Touch" trip involves cuddling with adorably adorable cheetah cubs as well as caracals and servals. These wildcat encounters and adventure experiences depend on time and availability. Lions, leopards, and wolves are just a few of the numerous wild animals that may be seen in this park.

Photographers may get up close and personal with wolves, leopards, and lions that live in Cheetah Experience. The objective of the sanctuary is to "save endangered species through captive breeding and awareness," and a large portion of the personnel are fervent volunteers.

Outdoor trips take 60 to 80 minutes and include a presentation on safety and conduct requirements before participants head off for amazing wildlife photography chances and up-close encounters with the animals. To take part in this expedition, one must make a reservation and abide by the safety precautions to prevent unanticipated incidents during the wildlife trip. It is one of Bloemfontein's most picturesque locations.

Address: 1 Maluti Ave Bloemfontein 9301

Phone: +27 72 905 3457

Opening hours: 10:30 am - noon

Rating: 4.5/5.0, 278 Tripadvisor reviews

Website: https://www.cheetahexperience.com/

The Oliewenhuis Art Gallery is housed in a Cape Dutch estate and is called for the untamed olive trees that grow on the slopes nearby. The gallery is a branch of the National Museum in Bloemfontein, and its solely South African art-focused permanent collection includes everything from old masters to modern paintings and sculpture.

It is one of the newest art museums in the nation and the only institution of its sort in the Free State. The Department of Public Works' Principal Architect, William Mollison, and his assistant, John Stockwing Cleland, created the design for Oliewenhuis in 1935. This Grant's Hill palace, which was finished in 1941, housed the Union of South Africa's Governor General beginning in 1942.

Modern technology is used by The Oliewenhuis Art Gallery to preserve and display artworks in the best climatic and security circumstances. The special South African art collections there, which include several works and masterpieces from famous person, are available for visitors to learn more about. Thomas Baines, Pieter Wenning, and Willem Coetzer are some of the artists. There are moving temporary exhibits on view in an underground reservoir.

Explore the 12-acre grounds on one of the many walking routes after appreciating the gallery's artwork and seeing sculptures of historical personalities from South Africa. This is a nice location for a picnic as well. Or, you may eat something at the on-site Terrace Café, which has outside seating. Don't miss the vibrant carousel, which features African and European mythological themes to reflect the diverse cultures of the nation.

Address: 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein 9301 South Africa

Phone: +27 51 011 0525

Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Rating: 4.5/5.0, 216 Tripadvisor reviews

Website: nasmus.co.za

The brutal struggle, which lasted from 1899 to 1902, is chronicled in the Anglo-Boer War museum from the viewpoint of the Boer people. In view of the horrors done against Africans, the museum has a lot to teach its visitors about the graphic battle scenes. Via its exceptional art collection, dioramas, and exhibitions, the War Museum in Bloemfontein helps visitors comprehend the context in which the Anglo-Boer War occurred. If you move through the museum, you will know more about the history of the war. Also, you get a chance to see what it was like to live and suffer in a concentration camp or prisoner of war camp.

The permanent collection features a collection of weapons and focuses on some of the important people from the era. A blood-stained baby bonnet with bullet holes and exhibits demonstrating the effects of the conflict on black South Africans are particularly heartbreaking.

The National Women's Monument, a 37-meter-high obelisk that honors the 26,000 women and children who perished in British concentration camps during the Boer War, is one of many memorials that can be found outside the museum. An urn carrying the remains of Emily Hobhouse, an Englishwoman who fought for better treatment of the internees, is located in the base of the monument.

Address: 25 Monument Rd, Generaal De Wet, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Phone: +27 51 447 3447
Opening hours: 8 am - 4 pm
Rating: 4.5/5.0, 206 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: wmbr.org.za

Five generations of women have owned and operated De Oude Kraal Country Estate & Spa, a Merino sheep farm on the outskirts of Bloemfontein that provides more than simply picturesque views of countryside. Enjoy the picturesque surroundings of the estate and spot ostriches, wildebeest, bucks, and other animals on a sunset farm safari as the sinking sun colors the night sky.

After that, unwind in front of the main house's fireplace while you wait for your multi-course supper to be served in the Colonial Restaurant, which is housed in the original farmhouse from 1885. Marie-Louise Nel Lombard, who grew up cooking with her mother Marie Lombard, the property's owner, carefully crafts the meals from locally found products.

De Oude Kraal Country Estate & Spa also provides lodging and a spa with a variety of packages. Spa packages include use of all the spa facilities, a light lunch, and a beverage of your choice. Tennis, clay target shooting, and farm exploration on hikes or mountain bikes are among the many activities offered. The opulent guest rooms and suites have ornate ensuite bathrooms, patios, and private entrances while blending in with the surroundings. Several of them have kitchenettes, making them ideal for families.

Address: South of Bloemfontein on N1 , 153 Turnoff, Riverford .Koppieskraal , 9325 Bloemfontein, South Africa

Phone: +27 51 564 0636

Opening hours: unknown

Rating: 4.5/5.0, 192 Tripadvisor reviews

Website: deoudekraal.com

Without arranging a trip to the renowned Free State National Botanical Garden, your Bloemfontein tour would be lacking. In Bloemfontein, this is one of the hot spots for nightlife. The Free State National Botanical Garden immerses visitors in the natural landscapes of indigenous woodland, grasslands, karee trees, and sculptural wild olive. It is tucked away in a quiet valley between dolerite rock outcrops. More than 400 different plant species—including roses—are raised in the 70-hectare garden, mostly from the Free State, Lesotho, and Northern Cape. The grounds include an attentively maintained park, but a large portion of them are made up of native woodlands.

Free State National Botanical Garden also boasts a recreation of a prehistoric settler's cabin, a traditional Sotho hut with a herb garden, native red-hot pokers, and a bird hide overlooking the lake where visitors can see some of the 144 species documented in the park. Keep an eye out for some of the park's smaller mammals and reptiles, as you meander through the self-guided wilderness trails. Visitors can have a picnic on the lovely lawns after touring the park or have some food at the café. It is undoubtedly one of the most romantic sites to visit in Bloemfontein because of the surrounding natural beauty.

Address: Rayton Road, off Dan Pienaar Drive, R702 Danhof, Bloemfontein 9301 South Africa
Phone: +27 51 436 3530
Opening hours: 8 am - 4:30 pm
Rating: 4.5/5.0, 116 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: www.sanbi.org

The National Museum, which was founded in 1877, is a fantastic location for visitors to learn about the history of the area's culture, natural world, and politics, as well as its artistic traditions. This museum provides a decent understanding of Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries through its sizable fossil collection as well as a database of knowledge on local customs and music. Children make up a large portion of the museum's audience, but adults also like going there.

Visitors can find out more about the Bushmen, Himba, Zulu, and other ethnic groups in the ethnological area while also viewing exhibitions of African musical instruments. The reproduction of early Bloemfontein's businesses, stores, apothecary, blacksmith, and dressmakers uses lifelike models, authentic sounds, and music. The astronomy area, the mammal section, and the historical street scene with recreations of daily life in the late-19th and early-20th century are especially educational for kids. The First Raadsaal, Bloemfontein's oldest structure, houses a satellite museum with exhibits on the history of the Free State.

On the ground floor, there are snack vending machines. There is also a tiny coffee shop there, but it was closed on the Saturday. After visiting the National museum, if you get hungry, you can visit the Loch Logan Waterfront, which is less than one kilometer away, or a McDonald's, which is even closer.

Address: 36 Aliwal St, Bloemfontein Central, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa

Phone: +27 51 447 9609

Opening hours: 8 am - 5 pm

Rating: 4.5/5.0, 81 Tripadvisor reviews

Website: nasmus.co.za

The Fourth Raadsaal, one of the city's most stunning structures, is located across from the Court of Appeal. Visitors to Bloemfontein's Fourth Raadsaal are enthralled by the Fourth Raadsaal's stunning example of contemporary architecture. Its construction had started in 1890 when then-President F. W. Reitz put its foundation stone, making it the most beautiful structure in this city. The construction of this red-brick structure was finished in 1893. That is still applicable today. It is advised that the travelers add Fourth Raadsaal to their schedule.

Before Bloemfontein was occupied by British forces in March 1900, this was the location of the last meeting of the Orange Free State's Parliament, a historic Boer republic. The Free State's Provincial Council presently meets there as its headquarters. A memorial commemorating Christiaan de Wet, a general in the Boer War, lies in front of the structure and was created by Coert Steynberg. The Bloemfontein City Hall, which is a block away to the west, was created by Sir Gordon Leithe in 1935 and features intarsia work made of Burmese wood and Italian marble.

Fourth Raadsaal displays the affluence and upbeat attitude that the people of the Free state once possessed. The provincial Free State legislature still uses it now. This is one of the best places to visit in Bloemfontein.

Address: 10 President Brand St, Bloemfontein Central, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Phone: unknown

Opening hours: unknown

Rating: 4.5/5.0, 4 Tripadvisor reviews

Website: www.artefacts.co.za

At Bagamoya Wildlife Estate, animal enthusiasts will be in their element. Bagamoya Wildlife Estate, which is located around 30 kilometers from Bloemfontein, enables guests to get up close and personal with big cats while being carefully supervised by knowledgeable staff who enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for these formidable animals. Visitors can bottle-feed lion and tiger kittens, pet cheetahs, and even help feed the adult lions, depending on the animals that are present at the moment. The park guides will provide you advice on safety precautions to take around creatures including giraffes, warthogs, zebra, ostriches, and antelope, among others. Unquestionably, this is among the best places to visit in Bloemfontein!

Bagamoya Wildlife Estate features big cat encounters in addition to a small zoo with popular residents like wallabies, jackals, and bat-eared foxes. A guided game drive is another option for visitors to see additional creatures, including giraffes, zebras, antelope, ostriches, warthogs, and more.

Call to confirm the feeding times and operating hours prior to your visit. Encounters are allowed on weekends from 9 am to 6 pm, as well as during the workweek with a reservation. The Lioness Restaurant, a Mini-Zoo with animals from all over the world, a swimming pool, self-catering Chalets, and outdoor activities are just a few of the amenities that Bagamoya has to offer for a comfortable and relaxing visit. Bagamoya Wildlife Estate is also an ideal location for events of any kind (weddings, birthdays parties, kids parties, conferences, corporate functions, and more).

Address: Maselspoort Bloemfontein 9360
Phone: +27 82 497 7550
Opening hours: 9 am - 6 pm
Rating: 4.0/5.0, 125 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: www.awf.org

The historic Lamont Hussey Observatory on Naval Hill was rebuilt to become the Naval Hill Planetarium Theatre. The first digital planetarium in Sub-Saharan Africa, the planetarium was inaugurated in 2013 and is located atop Navy Hill inside the Franklin Natural Reserve. It shows documentaries on stars, planets, and our solar system in its dome theater, enhancing the immersive experience with an amazing surround-sound system and several data projectors.

The first program, presented by the on-site astronomer, describes the night sky at that precise moment above, highlighting renowned constellations and enlarging a few of the planets that are currently visible. The Hot and Energetic Universe, the second program, gave an overview of the universe after the Big Bang and some of the future probes that will be used to investigate sources of light and energy that are not immediately visible to the human eye.

Both performances, which were projected onto the planetarium's interior dome, were excellent. Although the "sky" could be seen from all angles, it might be best to sit at the back so that you don't have to turn your head as much to see the complete projection. Outdoors, take in the expansive views of the reserve and look for animals including wildebeest, zebra, and bucks. Highly recommended for the aspiring astronomer, casual scientist, or for children (of all ages) with a curiosity in the cosmos. Do come a little early to explore Naval Hill Planetarium and snap a few pictures of the dome and telescope outdoors. It can be seen as one of the best places to visit in Bloemfontein.

Address: 6 Van Vuuren Avenue Off Union Ave Bloemfontein 9301

Phone: +27 51 401 9751

Opening hours: unknown

Rating: 4.0/5.0, 49 Tripadvisor reviews

Website: https://www.ufs.ac.za/planetarium

A excellent site to experience Bloemfontein's sights, sounds, scents, and tastes is at the well-known Langenhovenpark Boeremark (farmers market and craft market). Visitors and locals alike flock here to experience and purchase regional cuisine, including mouthwatering pannekoek (Dutch pancakes), as well as homemade jams, dried fruit, and fresh produce from the farm. It is advisable to ship anything from the Langenhovenpark Boeremark farmers market and purchase mementos to send home. It's a terrific place to try and buy a wide variety of regional foods. Some neighborhood stores offer fresh food as well.

Some stalls are packed to the gills with used furniture, plants, clothes, and books. The arts and crafts vendors here are also an excellent area to buy some keepsakes. Every Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm, Langenhovenpark Boeremark market is hosted at Langenhovenpark. The Boeremark evening markets are occasionally held on Fridays from early afternoon till late. Although they continue as usual on Saturday morning, these evening markets are actually a two-day affair. By selecting to purchase items like clothing and used books for memories, it is a perfect way to grasp the genuine cultural legacy of this region.

Address: Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein, 9330, South Africa
Phone: +27 84 919 1676
Opening hours: 7 am - 1 pm
Rating: 4.0/5.0, 29 Tripadvisor reviews
Website: https://www.montagusnacks.co.za/