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Flights to Bloemfontein

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The city of Bloemfontein is considered to be the judicial capital of South Africa, and it's also the capital city of the province of Free State. Bloemfontein’s name is Afrikaans for "fountain of flowers".

Flights to Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein does have its own airport, though the Bloemfontein Airport (airport code: BFN) handles only local flights to Bloemfontein so there will always be at least one transfer in South Africa when you travel from the UK. Virgin Atlantic and BMI both fly the same route through Johannesburg, but most other airlines have 2-stop flights to Bloemfontein. Egyptair will take you through Cairo and Johannesburg, and Lufthansa makes transfer stops in Munch and Johannesburg. Most flights to Bloemfontein are around 15 hours long, but a few will take longer than 18.

Bloemfontein Tourist Attractions

Bloemfontein Zoo

The Bloemfontein Zoo has been around since 1920, and today has a collection of more than 65 different types of animals housed over 15 hectares of land. The animals include many classic African species, such as primates, elephants, lions, antelope and hippos. There is a lot of open space with flower gardens between the animal enclosures, so it's a great place to spend an afternoon walking around to see both the plants and animals.

Franklin Game Reserve

With flat-topped Naval Hill in the centre, the Franklin Game Reserve will provide some great views of Bloemfontein. It is located right in the middle of the city, so it's as convenient as it gets. The orchid gardens are one of the most popular attractions here, and there are a number of native animals that call the park home. You are free to walk around to enjoy the sights.

The National Museum

The National Museum holds many collections of both cultural and historical importance for the city of Bloemfontein and region. There are many galleries, for many aspects of natural history, geology and astronomy. Attached to the main museum building is the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, filled with exhibits of South African artwork.

Soetdoring Nature Reserve

One of the smaller preserves in South Africa, not far from Bloemfontein, is the Soetdoring Nature Reserve and it’s home to a large pride of lions. Parts of the park are not for walking so you must explore in your car or in one of the trams provided by the park. Aside from the animals, there are areas for picnicking, and the Modder River and Krugersdrift Dam are two other sights to see. There are also places to go walking or hiking to see more animals (not the lions).

Free State Botanical Garden

They haven't named Bloemfontein after flowers for nothing! The Botanical Gardens holds more than 400 species of flower, including native plants and more exotic types of flowers, shrubs and succulents. It's a beautiful and peaceful place to go for a walk.

When Should You Visit Bloemfontein?

The hottest summer months are from November until February in Bloemfontein, when it can reach about 30C (86F) during the day. For more comfortable weather, you can plan your trip between May and the end of August. During those months, it will be between 17 and 20C (63 and 68F), and there is little rain. It can drop considerably in the night (around freezing) so you will still need to pack some warmer clothes.