| The Free State is the pulsing heart of South | | | | monolith whilst the numerous caves are adorned |
| Africa and embodies the bread basket of a | | | | with the dreamland art of the San and Khoi |
| hungry nation where fields of wheat, maize and | | | | Bushmen, who were the original inhabitants of this |
| sunflowers stretch as far as the eye can see. | | | | small, yet enticing corner of Africa. |
| Although largely ignored in the past by travellers | | | | The Vredefort Dome |
| and trekkers, the Free State has a number of | | | | The Vredefort Dome is the impact zone of the |
| hidden gems unique to the African continent. | | | | largest and oldest meteorite ever to collide with |
| Golden Gate Highlands National Park | | | | our planet. Scientists believe that the ensuing |
| Lurking at the base of the magnificent Maluti | | | | explosion and energy release could have led to |
| Mountains on the border with the Kingdom of | | | | major evolutionary changes the world over and |
| Lesotho is the Golden Gate Highlands National | | | | today its importance has been recognised by the |
| Park, an attraction that should form the focal | | | | world body, UNESCO, which has included it as a |
| point of any Free State tour. It is a park | | | | World Heritage site. |
| dedicated to the protection of the majesty of the | | | | Said to have occurred over 200 million years ago, |
| massive sandstone edifices that have been | | | | a rock estimated to be the size of Table Mountain |
| carved by the searing winds and extreme | | | | struck the earth, leaving an impact area 90 km |
| temperatures of the sizzling summers and icy | | | | wide. |
| winters. | | | | Gariep Dam |
| In the fast-fading light of the evening, the | | | | Tourists who enjoy more activity during their |
| grandiose cliffs emit a golden glow that offers | | | | time away from the humdrum of everyday life |
| unique and impressive photo opportunities as well | | | | will find the Gariep Dam and surrounding area the |
| as the ability to still the soul of the beholder. The | | | | ideal breakaway. South African tour operators can |
| park is a remaining microcosm of the original | | | | organise a range of adventure activities for the |
| indigenous grasslands and is home to a variety of | | | | entire family, including an array of water sports. |
| game including the Burchell's zebra, oribi, blesbok | | | | Interestingly enough, the Gariep Dam Nature |
| and the black gnu. | | | | Reserve that encompasses the 36 487 ha Dam, |
| It is also a 'twitcher's' paradise, where the rare | | | | the largest in South Africa, boasts the biggest |
| bearded vulture and the bald ibis breed in the | | | | herds of Springbok the nation over. |
| crevasses and on the ledges of the sandstone | | | | |