Across the southern tip of the Free State lies the Transgariep region. Its landscape is one of the few remaining in South Africa that can be considered unspoilt and unpolluted and this is thanks to its sparse population. It’s dotted with small towns that are reputed to be among the friendliest in the world. Most of the towns have some cultural or historical significance, such as Jagersfontein, a...    
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Across the southern tip of the Free State lies the Transgariep region. Its landscape is one of the few remaining in South Africa that can be considered unspoilt and unpolluted and this is thanks to its sparse population. It’s dotted with small towns that are reputed to be among the friendliest in the world. Most of the towns have some cultural or historical significance, such as Jagersfontein, an old diamond town which yielded one of the biggest diamonds ever found in South Africa: the 971-carat Excelsior diamond.
Bloemfontein, which is the province’s capital as well as the country’s judicial capital, is also within the borders of the Transgariep. Bloem offers a variety of activities and attractions, including its annual rose festival in October, the Botanical Gardens and a military museum.
Then there is Bethulie, which is located on the banks of the Orange River and western corner of the Gariep Dam. It’s a small town but is home to the longest bridge in the country: the 2993m DH Steyn Bridge.
Other towns in the region include Koffiefontein, Jacobsdal, Wepener, Philippolis, Zastron and Welkom.   
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