Things to Do in N1

Not only does Polokwane Nature Reserve have a healthy rhino population, it also features a number of fabulous walks and hikes. With over 21 species of mammals, this small reserve outside Polokwane is well worth a stop. Enthusiastic birders come here to check out the isolated eastern population of the Short-clawed Lark. The reserve is known as an excellent place for bushveld, thornveld and grassveld birding with over 300 bird species recorded. Keep your eyes and ears open for the Tinkling Cisticola, Northern Black Korhaan, Shelley´s Francolin, Double-banded Courser, Burchell´s Sandgrouse, Bushveld Pipit, Great Sparrow, African Wren-Warbler and Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler – all found here. You have a good chance of spotting breeding raptors including the African Hawk-Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Secretary Bird, Wahlberg´s Eagle, Greater Kestrel and Gabar Goshawk. The reserve offers a neat camping and caravan site as well as chalet accommodation. Opening hours are 07:00 – 16:30 +27 (0)15 290 2331

Conveniently close to most of Bloemfontein’s upmarket accommodation, Loch Logan Waterfront offers a good selection of retail and entertainment choices.The lively mall houses more than 100 shops, 17 restaurants and coffee shops, 10 fast food outlets, cinemas, salons, banks, a gym and a medical centre.Loch Logan Waterfront is centrally situated in King’s Park, a few blocks west of the City Hall and National Afrikaans literary Museum. The Bloemfontein Zoo, home to a fair amount of African wildlife, is also found in King’s Park.The convenient situation of Loch Logan Waterfront places it in close proximity to the Free State Stadium, Free State Cricket Stadium, Sand du Plessis Theatre, Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic, and Bloemfontein Rose Gardens. Bloemfontein International Airport is only a ten-minute drive away.

The stylish Bakone Malapa Museum is a wonderful place to experience the rich culture of the BaSotho people. The Bakone, a highly sophisticated subgroup of the Northern Sotho tribe, will give you a warm welcome and enthusiastically share their contemporary and traditional customs. The guides are superb story tellers and the village becomes alive as they take you on a journey through their traditional way of life. Considered a living museum, the Bakone tribesmen practise long-standing traditions to explain the traditions of Africa’s people. Another reconstructed village like it is the open-air Tsonga Museum near Tzaneen. Bakone Malapa is built in the style used by the northern Sotho 250 years ago and demonstrates the daily life of the Bakone clan. Two homesteads exhibit and explain fire making, maize grinding and beer brewing in the traditional manner. Handcraft demonstrations include pottery, basketry and bead work. Most of these locally-made creations are sold from the onsite craft shop. And that’s not all – the museum and cultural village has a bird sanctuary, wildlife reserve, hiking trails and outdoor recreation areas.

Oliewenhuis Art Museum is housed in a Neo-Dutch style mansion which served as residence for the Governor General of the Union of South Africa. In 1985 it was converted into an Art Museum as a satellite of the National Museum Bloemfontein. The Permanent Collection housed at Oliewenhuis is an outstanding collection of South African art, which includes a unique outdoor Sculpture Park and a working African Carousel, for which original sculptures were commissioned. Temporary exhibitions of South African artists are regularly exhibited in the Museum galleries and the unique underground Reservoir gallery. Other highlights include the Blind Alphabet, an artwork created specifically for the sight-impaired and the functional Cement and Mosaic sculptures situated in the gardens. Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein Open Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00, Saturday 10:00 - 5:00, Sunday and Public Holidays 13:00 - 17:00. Closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day. +27 (0) 51 447 9609 oliewen@nasmus.co.za www.nasmus.co.za

Home to the elusive wild dog and four of the Big Five, Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve is an exciting addition to Mapungubwe National Park, the site of southern Africa’s first kingdom. Here you can experience quintessential Africa in this World Heritage Site, just 80km from Musina in the Limpopo Valley. Best loved for its wildlife, Venetia is known for amazing wildlife encounters including lion, elephant, black and white rhino and of course rare wild dogs. Radio tracking trips for wild dogs and lion are on offer and greatly increase the likelihood of seeing these favourite animals. Characterised by ancient baobabs and rugged sandstone cliffs, the reserve harbours over 400 bird species. Trained guides point out the specials which include the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Meyer’s Parrot, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Three-banded courser, Meves’s Starling, Tropical Boubou and Senegal Coucal. Besides radio tracking of wild dog or lion and bird watching trips with experts, the reserve offers a 4x4 eco route and guided walks to view Bushman paintings and fascinating archaeological sites. And a visit to Mapungubwe wouldn’t be complete without sundowners overlooking the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo rivers!

Beginners and experienced drivers will find plenty of thrills and pleasant driving on Bergplaats three 4x4 routes graded 2 – 3; all with stunning views of the Karoo. The game farm includes flat and plateau areas. There is an option of staying at a private bush campsite called Duikers Rest where there is a farm dam for a cooling swim. Firewood, ice and braai packs are available at the main lodge if booked prior to arrival.

The small Soetdoring Nature Reserve and Predator Park makes a great day outing from Bloemfontein. Although it isn't one of the top scenic parks in South Africa, you can observe a pride of lions in their fenced enclosure. Gemsbok, eland, springbok, blesbok, black wildebeest, zebra and red hartebeest can easily be seen on the open plains. More secretive impala, kudu, steenbok, duiker and mountain reedbuck are harder to spot in the riverine bush. The park also offers the best birding around Bloemfontein with over 284 species recorded. Most visitors come here to picnic, braai, spot wildlife or to fish along the river and dam. Braai and picnic facilities are dotted along the shore.

The Colesberg-Kemper Museum developed from a collection of curiosities and has grown into a fascinating store house of local history and contemporary information. This user-friendly museum is not a place where artefacts are just measured, catalogued and put away. Items are there to be looked at, talked about and stories told. It is a place where the elderly come to share their memories, newcomers and tourists seek information and children begin to appreciate and enjoy the past.The building itself is a typical example of early Karoo architecture. Built as the Colesberg Bank in 1861, it became one of the first branches of `The Standard Bank of South Africa' to be established in this country in 1863. In 1940 it housed the Municipal Offices when the present Standard Bank was built. In 1975 the old building was made available to the Historical Society and the Colesberg-Kemper Museum came into being. The old bank hall is now the busy Colesberg Information Office and the remaining rooms house the museum collection.The artefacts displayed are humble items that have little intrinsic value, but are just as important as a rare specimen to a natural history museum or a valuable painting to an art gallery. The significance is that the items depict the everyday lives of our great grandparents, our grandparents, our parents and even our own youth, successfully filling the gap that exists between local history and text-book history.There is something for everyone in the museum - ranging from fossils deposited 250 million years ago, when South Africa's first terrestrial reptiles roamed the Karoo, a contemporary Karoo Nomad photographic exhibition assembled by Professor Michael de Jongh and his colleague Riana Steyn from the Department of Anthropology UNISA, to personal stories from Colesberg's share in the struggle during the 1980’ and early 90’s.The old kitchen decorated with kitchen utensil from days gone by houses the Lilian Ngoyi ‘Karretjie’ Coffee Shop with a display of a restored Cape Cart, a 19th century horse-drawn hearse and farm implements on its door step. This is complimented with the Amachule Akwantu Arts and Craft Centre. Some of the most interesting objects and documents in the museum collection date are from the Anglo-Boer War period, when fierce battles raged around the town and many lives were lost, as the names inscribed on the graves and memorials in the Military Cemetery of the town testify.

New Tempe Airport offers hangers and airstrip for light to medium sized aeroplanes, helicopters, microlights, gyrocopters, and high-altitude gliders. The airstrip is situated in uncontrolled airspace and the general flying area is just a five-minute flight to the North. Excellent flying conditions throughout the year make it an ideal choice for training.

Take a trip back in time and catch glimpses of yesteryear at the Hugh Exton Photographic Museum. Boasting a 23 000-strong cultural and historical photo collection taken between 1892 and 1945, the museum is well worth a visit. Valuable original glass negatives capture the fascinating first few years of the town’s history on celluloid taken by photographer, Hugh Exton. The collection unlocks the mysteries of Polokwane’s bygone era with of images of architecture, industry, clothing, trade and famous town residents. The museum is housed in the beautiful 1890s Dutch Reformed church. Bookings are essential. +27 (0)15 290 2186

Part of the Brandvlei Dam, Kwaggaskloof Dam (also spelled Quaggaskloof), is used for long distance swimming as well as water skiing, jet skiing and speed boats. The dam features a club house, launch pad and the setting has stunning views. It's a popular spot for fishing carp, whitefish, bluegills, bigmouth and smallmouth black bass. Quaggaskloof Water-ski Club is 15km from Worcester. Open weekends and public holidays.

Spot rare antelope and marvel at bizarre trees Previously named Messina Baobab Forest Reserve for the highest density of baobab trees in South Africa, Musina Nature Reserve is also home to the rare sable antelope. Other wildlife you are likely to see is giraffe, zebra, kudu, eland and other antelope. Drive the two-hour circular route or get on your mountain bike and check out the best baobab trees south of the Limpopo. So can you unravel the mystery of the curious upside down tree? Much folklore about their secret power flourishes in the region. This amazing ‘tree of life’ provides for many creatures that eat the leaves and fruit, make homes in the bark, rest in the branches, and sip the nectar from the flowers.

Mimosa Mall is one of the Free State’s most desirable and luxurious shopping centres. Fashionable shops bring leading brands within grasp of Bloem’s trendy set.With 120 leading stores, there are numerous tempting choices coupled with an indulgent ambience. Big name chain stores include Game, Woolworths, Foschini, Truworths, twelve major restaurants and seven Ster-Kinekor theatres.Mimosa Mall is perfect for families with various eateries open for breakfast. There is a wide range of restaurants, shops and cafes. Most restaurants are open until late so there is sure to be something suitable for everyone.Positioned in the heart of Bloemfontein, the centre is a characteristic landmark and is one of the most successful malls in South Africa. Parking is plentiful with 1 800 secure bays. All car parks provide easy, direct access into the centre for consumers with kids.Mondays to Fridays: 09:00 - 18:00Saturdays: 08:30 - 17:00Sundays: 10:00 - 14:00Public holidays: 09:00 - 14:00Restaurants: 07:00 - till late

Luminous butterflies, crooning songbirds, preening parrots and parading peacocks greet you as you enter Wild Thingz. The jungle-like park at Meropa Casino and Entertainment World is home to numerous species including birds of prey, cranes, and parrots. Eagles cast imperious stares and wide-eyed owls peer down as you venture into their domain. You could spend hours here watching the spectacle. Creepy crawly aficionados and kids will love the reptile house where you can see anacondas, pythons, mambas and other deadly critters. Wild Thingz is open Tuesday to Sunday and offers bird shows at 10:00, 11:00 and 15:00 daily and a snake demonstration at 16:00. Entrance is R10 for adults, R5 for children. +27 (0)15 290 5400

A few years ago the little dorp of Richmond was established as the first Book Town in the country and on the continent. Today there are a dozen bookshops in the village. The bookshops specialize in Africana with a focus on early travellers, explorers, hunters and missionaries, South African fauna and flora, fiction, bibliographies, history, the Anglo Boer war and Rhodesia. These bookish attractions are established in six Karoo-style houses, six converted stables and other outbuildings – housing used books ranging from art to warfare, aviation to natural history, biographies and children’s literature. Shops are open seven days a week, from 07:00 to 19:00 during peak season and from 09:00 to 17:00 during the rest of the year.

Conveniently situated across the road from the Hugh Exton Photographic Museum and Civic Centre, Polokwane Museum is an excellent spot to while away a few hours. Occupying a lovely late Victorian shop built in 1906; the building was beautifully restored in 1986 and is now a National Monument. Here you can discover the secrets of this city and surrounding region as well as Stone Age and Iron Age artefacts. A highlight of the museum is a display depicting the colourful traditional cultures of Limpopo people. Complete your trip back in time and stroll across the street to the Hugh Exton Photographic Museum for an insight into the gold rush days of Polokwane's beginnings.

Springbok Park, now known as Chevrolet Park, is a well-equipped stadium within walking distance of Bloemfontein's city centre. The 20 000-seater stadium incorporates two large stands. Braai and cricket devotees frequent the grassy banks, perfect for big groups who enjoy a good braai session while watching cricket. Boasting excellent floodlights, the grounds are often used for festive night matches.

Can you hear the drum beat; can you feel the earth spin? Venture off the beaten track 50km north-east of Louis Trichardt on the R523 between Thohoyandou and Makhado and you’ll find the Museum of the Drum and Dzata ruins. The rural peacefulness of the place makes it hard to believe that this was once a thriving community. This significant archaeological site is the remains of the royal kraal of the Venda kings and dates back six thousand years to 1400. Here you can learn about the rich art culture of the Venda and their famous domba dance at the Museum of the Drum. The building houses a replica of the enormous holy drum, reputed to have magical powers that incapacitate enemies. Entrance to the Museum of the Drum and Dzata ruins is free.

Bloemfontein certainly doesn’t lack when it comes to sports facilities and boasts a fine assortment. The 48 000-seater Free State Stadium is companion to an international standard athletics stadium, the Goodyear Park cricket grounds which is used for international matches, an artificial turf hockey stadium and great tennis facilities. The 1995 Rugby World Cup brought about a significantly improved stadium with seating bordering the field. Bloemfontein's chief stadium has also hosted international football events – some of the 1996 African Cup of Nations matches were played here. Improvements to the Free State Stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup included enlarging the seating capacity and upgrades to all facilities.

The Peter Mokaba Stadium in the Limpopo Province is another excellent spin-off from South Africa’s successful 2010 FIFA World Cup bid, hosting four first-round matches. The newly-built structure comfortably seats 46 000 people and is equipped with stylish international standard facilities. Polokwani (Pietersburg) is the largest city in the Limpopo Province, an area of untamed wilderness possessing the quintessential spirit of Africa. The Big Five, Kruger National Park, the magical Modjadji Forest and countless exciting outdoor activities attract people from all over the globe.