Sandstone Heritage Trust

Sandstone, 45km away from Rosendal on the road to Fouriesburg, houses one of the largest collections of working steam locomotives in the world, including a 26km narrow gauge railway, together with fully restored military vehicles, some from WWII, and heritage agricultural equipment as well as buses, cars, and even an historic Voortrekker wagon drawn by a  team of oxen. Set in the Caledon Valley on the border with Lesotho, Sandstone is also a large, fully organic, working farm. Here visitors can spend the day viewing the collection, housed in a series of large hangars, visiting the gift shop, or wandering the grounds. Remarkably this is actually not even a museum, instead being a private collection of heritage items that makes itself open to the public. Visitors must make an appointment one day in advance.

​Twice a year the facility comes fully alive when these toys are brought out to play, during the Ficksburg Cherry Festival in November and, the 10 day “Stars of Sandstone” event, which is typically held in March or April and when 70% of guests are steam enthusiasts from overseas.

Moolmanshoek

Moolmanshoek—located on an historic farm property with a specular mountain setting—is a rural resort, wedding venue, equestrian centre, nature reserve and game farm. Guests can explore the reserve and participate in activities that include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, off-road 4×4 trails, as well as fishing, hunting and bird watching. Located 15km from Rosendal, it is the go to place in the area for outdoor activity. The town frequently provides “over-flow” accommodation for weddings and other events hosted there and vice versa.

IMLA Guest Farm

IMLA Guest Farm is situated between Rosendal and Clocolan and offers up to 60km of dedicated MTB trails, outdoor expeditions, educational camps and corporate team-building events. The guest farm is a working farm, Waterfall, within the IMLA Farm Group.

Mosamane

Mosamane is a self-catering guest lodge within easy reach of Rosendal, 6km south of town off the road toward Ficksburg, and nestled against the Witteberg mountain range. The site hosts comfortable accommodation—including a renovated barn—and open air boma. Situated at the foot of spectacular sandstone cliffs, natural topography includes Montana grasslands, mountain fynbos, valley bushveld, kloof forests and a mini canyon.

Activities include hiking (9km and 3km trails), bird watching and taking in the spectacular views. Rosendal’s shops, galleries, cafes and nightlife are all within an easy 10 minute drive. The hiking trails are open to day visitors from Rosendal for a modest fee, please call ahead. Mosamane hiking trails are truly spectacular trails for the average to fit hiker.

Poloafrica

Poloafrica Trust, situated on Uitgedacht Farm, south of Rosendal, is a unique place—a first class polo school dedicated to transforming the lives of underprivileged youth and adults in an isolated rural community. Through the discipline of sport and participation in an academic programme—the latter is a prerequisite for beginning to care for and learn to ride the ponies—the natural potential of South Africa’s youth is unlocked. The young “scholars”, of whom there are 40, one third of them girls, learn life skills and must work hard toward a high school diploma. Underprivileged adults have the chance to flourish as polo professionals, whether through playing the game, pony care, farrier work, schooling ponies or coaching other players in the sport.

Poloafrica is happy for people to enjoy the Uitgedacht polo experience as day visitors during school holidays when they can visit the stables, tour the class rooms and walk the grounds. Call ahead to make an appointment.

Franshoek Farm and Polo School

Franshoek Farm and Polo School is an internationally recognised polo centre, offering tuition and accommodation, tucked away on a spectacular site 40km south-east of Rosendal. It is fully open to non-Polo playing visitors as a guest farm with activities that include walking and hiking trails in the Witteberg Mountains, horse riding, bass fishing, and exploring caves and waterfalls. Charming self-catering accommodation with beautiful views is available.

Earthrise Trust and Rustler’s Valley Farm

Located 38km from Rosendal, Earthrise Trust is a lodge and rural conference centre dedicated to realising the ideals of the Earth Charter through ecology and social and economic justice. A not for profit “activist initiative”, it was founded by labour and struggle figure Jayendra Naidoo and a group of like minded supporters, and is located on Rustler’s Valley Farm, once better known as the site of a world famous rock festival and rave colony. 

Tempelhof Game Farm

A fully functioning game farm, guest farm, and wedding or event venue, Tempelhof is located 29km south of Rosendal on the road to Ficksburg. Notably, it is also a lion farm and has one of the largest breeding programmes for wild dogs in the country. Visitors should call to make an appointment.

Waaipoort

Waaipoort Farm is situated in the foothills of the Witteberge and Maluti mountains of the Eastern Free State. The working farm is a permaculture design and in its tenth year of regenerative practices, community-building and mentorship. It is an example of how, as a modern, conscious society, one can work and live most comfortably with the least impact on the environment.

Sungazer Pilgrimage

Walk or cycle your way through the starkly beautiful landscape of the Eastern Free State and connect with your true self along the way. Whether you choose to journey on the full 211km circular route or whether you select a shorter section, you’ll find yourself on a spiritual adventure unlike any other. As you make your way along your chosen route on the Sungazer Pilgrimage, you’ll experience the heartfelt hospitality of the local community. Each stopover on your route offers rest, respite, and a home-cooked meal. We invite you to connect with your hosts and experience the region through their eyes.

Lekker Free State

The Eastern Free State is one of the most spectacular regions in the world with its sandstone mountains, sunflowers, kosmos, cherry orchards, maize and wheat fields, festivals, adventure sports, restaurants, accommodation, game farms, dinosaurs and historic sites. Most of all though, it is the hospitality of our people that we are most famous for. This website features some of the key places.

Meiringskloof Nature Park

Put your feet up and relax at your chalet, camp site, or next to the swimming pool. Hike any of the excellent shorter hikes in the kloof itself, hike up the sandstone cliffs to see the water channels, do some bird-watching, or simply enjoy the breath-taking views over the surrounding area and Maluti Mountains. Activities in the area include horse riding, 4×4 trails, MTB trails, wine & gin tasting, artisan cheeses, fishing and lots more.