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Bloemfontein dwellers love their sport – just head for the Free State stadium on the weekend in winter if you want to experience a real vibe. Rugby is as popular as football, and hockey enjoys good support, while cricket rules in the summer.
If it flies, drives or has wheels of any kind, chances are, you can do it in Bloemfontein. Flat terrain in the south and around Bloemfontein gives way to highlands on the Lesotho border to the east. With both the Vaal and the Gariep rivers bordering the province, there are even enough watersports around for those willing to wet their hair.
In the air, the intrepid traveller’s and sportsman’s options include sky diving and gliding out of Bloemfontein’s new Tempe Airport. Your degree of skill will determine your chances of participating in some activities, while others merely demand a lack of fear.
For waterbabies, kayaking on the Gariep Dam is popular, while the Vaal is suitable for river rafting, jet-skis and waterskiing. To enjoy such activities, adventurers will have to drive a couple of hours out of the city, but good roads provide quick access to most facilities.
In the interest of safety, be honest about your sporting abilities so you can enjoy your adventure without running into trouble.
Whether you’re up for a serious rock climb, a demanding hike, some abseiling or hang gliding – there are outfits with good safety records that will be only too happy to look after you.
Mountain biking, motocross and 4x4 trails criss-cross the province. While sunny skies are almost guaranteed year-round, it can get pretty cold in the winter (and one can even spot snow on the Maluti Mountains). The border areas between the Free State and Lesotho (a neighbouring country known as the “Roof of Africa”) are mountainous and popular with 4x4 enthusiasts. At the Stone Hill Adventures facility on the edge of town, there is a 10-kilometre quad-biking track, a bar and barbecue facilities.
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