GARIEP DAM - Gariep Dam Nature Reserve

The Free State's largest nature reserve is a combination of the 36 487 ha Gariep Dam on the Orange River and an 11 237 ha game sanctuary on its northern shore. Situated between Bloemfontein and Colesberg in the Free State, the Gariep Dam is an ideal place to stop over on your way between Cape Town and Johannesburg. Adjoining the Reserve and close to the Gariep Dam Wall, is the privately owned Aventura Midwaters Resort, with an extensive range of sporting and entertainment facilities that are available to the whole family, like swimming, tennis, golf, trampolines, bowls, mini golf and water sports. Water sports and attractions include sailing, power boating, canoeing, skiing, angling and sporting.

JACOBSDAL - Landzicht Winery

Located at Jacobsdal, the Landzicht Wine Cellar opened in 1974. Owned by GWK Limited and producers, it annually presses ± 3 000 tons of grapes, producing ± 2.4m litres of wine. A new bottling plant using the latest technology was opened in April 2005 as a black empowerment project. Amongst the premium wines produced from pure certified cultivars are 5 whites, 4 reds, 1 Rosé and several fortifieds such as White Muscadel and Ruby Port. Landzicht wine labels range among the best in South Africa having won several Veritas, SA Youngwine Show and Michaelangelo awards. The Winery offers cellar tours and wine tasting.

PHILLIPPOLIS - Tiger Canyons tiger-breeding project

One of the unique tourists features in the Free State & also in South Africa is the tiger-breeding project on the farm Tiger Canyons about 25 km from Philippolis. Tiger Canyons is set on the magnificent Paaiskloof Canyon & borders the Van der Kloof Dam. The tiger-breeding project constitutes an experiment to create a free-ranging, self-sustaining tiger population outside Asia. Piloted by entrepreneur John Varty, all tigers introduced are raised with a natural fear of human beings & are pre-conditioned to respect electrical fences. Visitors will be able to go out in a 4 x 4 vehicle specially designed with a cage, which allows one to view tigers at close quarters in complete safety.

BETHULIE - Pellisier House Museum

The museum which is at 1 Voortrekker Street, is housed in the original mission station buildings and depicts the history of the area, including an exhibition on the Anglo-Boer War and concentration camp. Built in 1834-1835 by C Gosseling, craftsman of the French Mission Society as residence for the Reverend Jean P Pellisier, a French missionary of the Paris Mission Organisation. One of the oldest settler-built buildings north of the Gariep  

SMITHFIELD - Letsatsi Game Lodge

Near Smithfield on the Bethulie road is the Letsatsi Game Lodge & Game Reserve with its state of the art facilities, & as such one of the leading tourism products in the Free State. The main building consists of lounges, large conference facilities, a bar, dining room & a wooden deck. As for accommodation, there are two options, namely African chalets or unique bush camp tents. Water features such as a koi pond & sparkling swimming pool complete the picture as far as facilities are concerned. Game drives, horse riding & hiking trails offer the opportunity to view a multitude of game species & bird life.

SPRINGFONTEIN - Kuilfontein Road Stall

One of the noteworthy latest additions to the Xhariep tourism scene is the Kuilfontein Road Stall at Springfontein next to the N1, with Sandra Staples as entrepreneur. Having established the road stall in 2004, she has recently been nominated as one of the six finalists in the national Sanlam & Landbouweekblad 2006/07 emerging business competition. At the stall one may buy almost any bottled product as well as other articles produced in the surrounding region. On the menu is also connoisseur dishes such as lamb & mint pies prepared by a qualified chef.

JAGERSFONTEIN - Diamond town of yesteryear

Jagersfontein, established in 1870, has an older diamond history than Kimberley & the old open-mine shaft at Jagersfontein is also larger than that of Kimberley - surface area 19,5 ha against 17 ha - as such said to be the largest hand-dug hole (pick, shovel & dynamite) in the world. Diamond mining was terminated in 1968, but the diamonds of Jagersfontein are still being floated on the world market & are renowned for their top quality. As a matter of fact, the famous Excelsior Diamond of 995 carats hails from Jagersfontein & today, forming part of the British crown jewels, is worth an estimated R1,2 billion on its own.

information sourced from http://www.sa-venues.com/game-reserves/fs_gariepdam.htm