Eastern Free state - Ladybrand, Ficksburg, Clarens, Bethlehe

The Eastern Free State is the land of a thousand pictures, with each season offering its own attractions - roaring, open fires in winter, cherry blossoms and then succulent fruit in spring, hot summer days and golden autumn sunsets.

The Eastern Free State is a feast for the eye, soul and gastronome. Cherry orchards cling to the sides of flat topped sandstone mountains which reflect the different colours of the sunrise and sunset, as you gently meander along the border between South Africa and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

The Eastern Free State are on a main route linking the Eastern Cape and Garden Route, to KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga (Kruger Park). The Eastern Free State also link South Africa and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho and include the towns Ladybrand, Ficksburg, Clarens and Bethlehem

Apart from cherries, other deciduous fruit and asparagus thrive in the champaign climate, making spring and early summer a feast of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Many people visit the Eastern free State especially for its picturesque beauty. But no matter whether you are driving through, en route to somewhere, or just retreating from the rat race for a couple of days, you will be tempted to linger a while longer.

The entire region borders the scenic mountain kingdom of Lesotho, which is known for its majestic beauty, simplicity and serenity.

The Eastern free State is the land of a thousand pictures.

With it’s beautiful snow capped mountains providing a backdrop to numerous romantic hide aways, this untouched, pristine area with it’s breathtaking scenery, possesses a grandeur of majestic proportions. Hiking Trails meander through densely vegetated valleys and wild gorges created by centuries of wind, water and fire, while Bushman paintings evoke images of lost civilizations and ancient myths - truly an area where the magic and mystery of the Free State can be experienced at first hand.

Cities / Towns

Arlington, Bethlehem, Clarens, Clocolan, Cornelia, Excelsior, Ficksburg, Fouriesburg, Harrismith, Hobhouse, Kestell, Ladybrand, Lindley, Marquard, Memel, Paul Roux, Petrus Steyn, Phuthadijhaba /Qwa Qwa, Reitz, Rosendal, Senekal, Steynsrus, Tweespruit, Vrede, Warden.

Accommodation in and around Drakensberg