Northern Free State – Felize Dabi, South Africa
The Northern Free State is a grain crop region irrigated by one of South Africa’s best watersports spots – the Vaal River and the Vaal Dam on the border with Gauteng, and only an hour from Johannesburg.
Vast expanses are broken by farm buildings and the towns feature many beautiful old sandstone buildings – many of which have been declared National Monuments.
The Northern Free State is also the location of one of South Africa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Vredefort Dome, the oldest known impact crater on Earth, where unique rock formations beckon geologists and many outdoor activities ranging from river rafting (including plenty of white-water) to hiking, fly-fishing to game viewing, mountain-biking, 4×4, horse-riding and hot-air ballooning beckon both weekenders from Gauteng and tourists. As in the rest of the Free State, San Rock Art can be seen on hiking and cycle routes.
The main towns of the Free State are Parys and Sasolburg (which are also part of the Vaal Triangle region) and Kroonstad. Deneysville is also a part of the Vaal Triangle, and this small Free State town considered the ‘Gateway to the Vaal Dam’, where you can access the watersports offering of the dam itself, includng sailing.
The Vaal Triangle is a region that surrounds the Vaal Dam, and encompasses areas in the Northern Free State and Gauteng. Tourism in this area is naturally focused on watersports activities, but many Nothern Free State adventure companies and activity providers who operate within the Vredefort Dome are based in Parys.
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