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Wild Horses Lodge is well placed as a base to explore the historically and culturally interesting and scenic surrounding area of the Free State, which is the agricultural heartland of the country.
The Free State lies in the centre of South Africa, with the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho nestling in the hollow of its bean-like shape. It stretches like an immense prairie between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south and enjoys summer rainfall with warm, temperate weather in the summer months. In winter minimum temperatures may drop to below zero. The western and southern areas are semi-desert.
The area boasts an extensive system of parks and reserves, including one national park (Golden Gate) and more than 80 provincial, municipal, and privately owned nature parks, nature reserves, game reserves, and game farms.
Activities include bird and game viewing, hiking, horse-riding, biking, 4x4 off-road driving and climbing.
Throughout the Maluti mountains, one can find caves and cracks where the San people took shelter and left a legacy of countless examples of historic rock-art.
The province also contains many historic sites related to the Anglo-Boer War, including 13 battlefield sites, eight military monuments, two war museums and three war and concentration camp cemeteries.
A vehicle and driver can be booked to take guests shopping for a day, to partipate in local activities or visit cultural sites.
- Sentinel Peak
Standing 3,165m high, The Sentinel Peak, is the highest free standing peak in the Northern Drakensberg and is the site of a number of impressively beautiful waterfalls and streams which run during the summer months. In winter the peak is often covered in snow.
An easy climb of 500m will take you to the top of the Drakensberg escarpment to the Amphitheatre and Tugela Falls.
A number of hiking trails are available for more active guests and we are happy to advise you about them and make bookings for you.
- Clarens
Within a short driving distance from Wild Horses is the town of Clarens. Known as the Jewel of the Free State it boasts a growing population of artists and entrepreneurs and has become a hub of creative activity. It has more than 18 art galleries, a number of interesting curio and antique shops and a host of pubs and restaurants. Many of the beautiful old homes here have been built from the golden sandstone of the area.
The Free State has rich deposits of fossils, and visitors to Clarens area can go on fossil-hunting expeditions. You may be lucky to find dinosaur bones, eggs or teeth!
- Harrismith
Harrismith, just off the N3 highway, is named after a previous Governor of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith. It nestles at the foot of the Platberg, meaning flat mountain, and sometimes experiences snow falls in Winter.
The Botanical Gardens and Blockhouse and the Community Museum are worth a visit, while the Historical Tours make an interesting excursion, particulary for those interested in the Anglo Boer War, as a number of battles were fought in this area.
- Basotho Cultural Village
The Basotho Cultural Village lies adjacent to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and showcases both historical and contemporatry aspects of the Sotho culture, which extends across the Free State and the adjacent kingdom of Lesotho. The Village offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the Sotho tribe with guided tours, music and dance demonstrations, a museum, curio shop, art gallery, crafts and a restaurant which serves traditional Sotho meals.
- Golden Gate Highlands National Park
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park, located in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, covers some 12,000 ha and takes its name from the magnificent golden-hued sandstone cliffs which characterise the area. It has many walks and hiking trails, pony trails, rock art and small game including eland, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, blesbuck and zebra. Some famous landmarks such as Oribi Basin, Brandwag Rock and Cathedral Cave are well worth a visit.
Golden Gate is also a birders paradise with more than a 100 species of birds frequently spotted on walks. Some rare finds include the very rare bearded vulture as well as the equally rare bald ibis.
Hear ...
The silence of nature
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