OFFERINGS

The Flamingo Route, is known to be the bread bucket of the province due to its vast agricultural fields that produces maize. The area is also known for its produce of gold as the result of the discovery of gold in the 19^th century. The effects of global warming that led to drought and reduction in agricultural produce and the decline of mining activities in the area as seen other economic sectors such as tourism is increasingly becoming key economic sectors for the region. The main offerings are combinations of variety of leisure activities, exploring a local gold mine, game viewing and visits to key historical sites. The route runs through Brandfort, Windburg, Virginia, Ventersburg, Welkom and Bothaville.

AGRICULTURAL TOURISM

Bothaville is considered to be the country’s maize capital, it is characterised by undulating maize and sunflower fields. The small town is the host to one of the most successful and the biggest international agricultural show – Nampo Harvest Show. The abundance of sunflower has seen the town being the site of the first ethanol plant in the country.

ADVENTURE TOURISM

Just off the R70 north of Welkom lies the Phakisa Freeway Race Track, the fourth fastest track in the world. With a Formula 1 Grand Prix flat circuit and a Super Speedway Oval, Phakisa hosts a number of national and international; races – including the six World Motorcycle Grand Prix events to date, the South African Motorcycle Grand Prix, the National Super Series and the Midas Historics Tour. With the 14 turns, the 12m-wide Grand Prix Track is rated as one of the safest circuits, but also one of the most demanding. As Valentino Rossi says; “…you have to be brave to win here.”

HISTORY & HERITAGE

The Flamingo Route was also affected by battle fields that took place in the province and this has left a trail of historic places of interests along the route. Some of these sites are:

Brandfort

• Where Winnie Madikizela Mandela was banished during apartheid
• Florisbad archaeological side
• Anglo-Boer War graves in memory of Cpt Dwyer.
• Vice-Admiral John Westerns house – design and build the 1^st aircraft in Africa.

Ventersburg

• Basotho War Rampart Skanskraal
• Oldest Voortrekker cemetery in the country.

Windburg

• Oldest proclaimed town in South Africa
• Voortrekker Monument

Welkom

• Aandenk Monument – were the first borehole was drift in search of gold.

Bothaville

• Doornkraal Monument – honouring the Boers killed during the battle of Doornkraal.

LEISURE TOURISM

Bothaville

• The Tarentaalbosch Christmas Market – Large art and craft market

Windburg

• Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve.

Welkom

• Oppenheimer Park Golf Course

Virginia

• Virginia Jewellery School
• Sand River – Boating, fishing, water-skiing
• Tikwe Lodge Nature Driver – 40 species of buck, zebra, and giraffe, cruises along the Sand River.

Venterburg

• Willem Pretorias Game Reserve & Resort
• Aldam Resort

EVENTS

National 6 Hour Race                                       – February

National Super GP                                             – March

Phakisa Drag Race                                            – April

Phakisa Porsche Drag Day                               – April

Nampo Agricultural Show                               – May

Moto Rider Academy                                        – May

Phakisa Daze Academy                                    – May

Phakisa Historic Tour Reginal Race               – July

New’s Eve on the Track                                   – December

For more information, please visit: www.freestatetourism.org / Facebook: I Love Free State