Warden

Warden is a tiny Eastern Free State town situated on the N3 near Harrismith. Typical of the very small towns of the area, development has always centred on the foundation of a beautiful Dutch Reform Church. Warden is very rural and the population tiny, but the village is well worth a stop simply to look at the Sandstone church which is the biggest in the Free State, and one of the biggest in South Africa, seating almost 2000 people.

Warden has some lovely buildings, and the town is being renovated in areas after falling into a gradual state of disrepair in the early 90’s due to political and economic instabilities.

Nearby attractions include the unique Makiti Art Gallery, between Warden and Villiers. The lovely town of Harrismith is only a half hour’s drive away to the south-east, and Memel with its wetlands and excellent birding is an hour and half to the east via Harrismith and the R722, or via farmland roads east (‘unknown roads’ according to Google…), turning left on to the R722 at Verkykerskop.

San Rock Art can be found on many of the surrounding farms, the surrounding farm and Highveld grasslands scenery is vast and lovely in spring and summer, and winter can bring a solid blanket of snow, transforming the area into a wonderland.

Getting there: Warden is located on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban, 58km north of Harrismith.