Water parks, museums, markets and the Big Hole in Kimberley … the list of things to do in and around Bloemfontein over the festive season is long and varied!
Here are five indoor and outdoor activities to keep you, the kids and the extended family entertained.
Splash, paddle and swim at Gwen Bali Water World
December and January are hot months in South Africa, and Bloemfontein is not exempt from soaring temperatures! To pass the time and hide from the heat, a visit to a water park is a refreshing and cooling plan!
Gwen Bali Water World is a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors, especially over the holidays. A supertube, two-lane water slides and more await your family! Give Gwen Bali Water World a call ahead of your trip to check times and festive-season closure dates. You can call them on 27(0)82 820 6819.
Explore Bloemfontein’s Langenhoven Park Farmers’ Market
Picture this: it’s a lazy Saturday morning, you have fresh coffee in your hand, your loved ones are trotting behind, and a gentle stroll leads you through Bloemfontein’s Langenhoven Park Farmers’ Market … Sounds like a good vacation activity, doesn’t it? We think so, too!
Fresh fruit, vegetables, home-made goods, clothing and delicious meals are all on offer at this well-known market. Treat your family or visiting international friends to South African treats, or try new delectables from the locals yourself! The market opens at 6am every Saturday and it’s advisable to have cash with you.
Road trip to the Big Hole in Kimberley
Check the tyres on your car, plan a game of “I Spy” and get ready to learn more about South Africa’s extensive history when you visit the Big Hole in Kimberly. This Northern Cape attraction is about a two-hour drive from Bloemfontein, and is well worth a visit while you’re in the area!
Diamonds were discovered in the region towards the end of the 1860s. By 1872, word had spread and tens of thousands of people descended on what was to become Kimberly, rushing for diamonds, wealth and dreams of a grand life. The immense open pit is one of the largest hand-dug excavations in the world.
Spend the day learning about the scramble for diamonds, the miners who worked on the land and the basic tools they used in search of fortune.
The National Museum – a step into the past
If your idea of a holiday involves delving into the past and learning about our ancestors and the world as it was thousands of years ago, then a trip to Bloemfontein’s National Museum should be high on your vacation bucket list!
The museum boasts two exhibitions: a permanent and temporary exhibition. As you drift through the permanent exhibition, make a stop at the live display area. Here, you and the kids will be will get to see some unusual animals – snakes, clawed frogs, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches will keep you enthralled or fearfully amazed.
Find out more information about the museum’s opening times and rates here.
Leaping at Jumpers Lane trampoline park
Let your inner child soar at Bloemfontein’s Jumpers Lane trampoline park! The park is home to 50 interconnected trampolines and is an energetic place for young and old alike!
Jump and land softly in a foam pit; spring from one trampoline to another in the free-jumping area; or show off your expert evasive skills in a game of dodgeball. If you’re feeling brave, get a family member to battle you in the Jumpers Gladiator section!
To avoid disappointment over the busy festive period, book all tickets ahead of time.