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Fascinating Naval Hill in Franklin Game Reserve

Dominating the Bloemfontein skyline, standing proudly in the heart of the City of Roses is Naval Hill. Standing atop this geographic wonder, you are provided with an exquisite panoramic view of Bloemfontein. Located within the Franklin Game Reserve, it is known for both its natural beauty and its historical significance.

Franklin Game Reserve on Naval Hill is currently the only nature reserve in the world to be located in the middle of a city. The reserve was established in 1930 and encompasses an area of 250 hectares. Within the reserve you will discover amazing African wildlife including zebra, blesbok, springbok, giraffe and eland as well as abundant bird life. Visitors are welcomed into the Franklin Game Reserve for free. A wonderful outing surrounded by indigenous flora and fauna, the reserve attracts residents, tourists and many joggers.

Standing on the crest of flat-topped Naval Hill are 2 British naval guns. Many years ago, Naval Hill was home to Back in 1928 the Mayor of Bloemfontein opened the Lamont-Hussey Observatory on Naval Hill. At that time it was under the ownership of the University of Michigan. It was however closed in 1974 and later revamped into a lovely theater called Observatory Theater or Sterrewag Theater. Why not venture here for a performance in this unique setting. Also standing on Naval Hill is the White Horse, a sculpture set-up during the Anglo-Boer War by Wiltshire Remount Depot's men. The massive statue was an excellent landmark for the British cavalry who were returning to the depot. Certain of Bloemfontein's Sotho people say that the White Horse was created in the image of King Mosoeshoe's top steed. It is said that every time someone receives a kiss at Naval Hill the large White Horse moves one step forward.

Franklin Game Reserve along with Naval hill is accessible between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Naval Hill is an easily seen and remarkable landmark within the city of Bloemfontein. Providing people with an escape into nature and magical views of the City of Roses, visitors to Bloemfontein should take some time to stroll through the reserve.

Tags:

naval hill, bloemfontein, attractions, franklin, game reserves, wildlife

User Comments & Reviews: 9 Comment(s)

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GAO - 2011-03-22 09:34:12

I TOTALY AGREE WITH GEORGE MORAI...

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Mduduzi Janda - 2011-03-07 12:16:06

I'm in the field of broadcast, During the soccer world cup I was working in Bloemfontein. The hotel we were located in was President hotel and we always asked each other of the hill and the cross on top. most people we asked about it were locals and what they considered mostly was safety and we went there right on top guess what we discovered? Beauty. your province is so amazing. If you guys don't do anything we will loose the best of the ignored sites. If these guys who gives this site a bad name are left to do what ever they want it is more like raping the country, Hello government!!!! wake up!!!!

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SouthAfrica.com Team - 2010-10-12 11:18:49

Thank you for posting your comments on SouthAfrica.com. We appreciate feedback from visitors to our site. We accept that opinions often differ - and are sometimes presented as fact - but everyone is entitled to express their personal opinion (within reason of course). Best wishes from the SouthAfrica.com Team

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Anon - 2010-10-11 19:47:06

Congratulations boys - great way to chase away tourists. This is an international tourist site, and what are you doing? Bickering about statues and complaining about the crime rate. There are still joggers on the Hill and really - check your stats. Positive in, positive out. Negative in, negative out.

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bloem boy - 2010-07-21 12:12:21

The article makes Naval hill seem more majestic than it actually is- not to mention the grammatical errors. At the moment it is a huge crime ridden area with many sick satanic rituals going on there. You do not jog or take a stroll there, let alone drive in anything that can't drive faster than a human can run. Recently, someone shot a small antelope, think it was a Duiker, with a bow and arrow and left it for dead. Ek bly in BFN so ek weet waarvan ek praat. Agree that the horse was simply to signal fresh horses and supplies for the British. It is a great site for a great site, but could be managed more like Kirstenbosch for example to really be this. O and to Pule and George, erecting statues all over the place is an example of how ignorant people choose not to deal with the real issues and depicting social issues incorrectly through architecture

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Piet Le Roux - 2010-05-31 15:11:10

As usual some people will totally lose the plot. The article is about the only nature reserve inside a city: the Franklin nature reserve in Bloemfontein named after Sir John Stuart Franklin mayor of Bloemfontein in the nineteen twenties and descendent of the British Sea Explorer Sir John Franklin who died with his crew in northern Canada in the late eighteen hundreds. The horse depicted on Navel hill dates from the Boer war and indicated fresh horses for the British. The author tried to involve the Sotho people with a fable about King Mosoeshoe's horse, clearly a mistake. The story about the kiss is also bogus : it is said that every time a maiden loses her virginity on the hill it moves a step forward : on Saturday nights you cloud hear it gallop. This does not happen any more because of the high crime rate women only get raped and robed on the hill these days.

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sello - 2010-03-18 15:50:56

I WANTED TO SEE KING LEROTHODI'S PICTURES AND HIS HORSE.

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Pule Mofokeng - 2009-11-24 10:34:29

I have to agree with you George, it's a pity that those in power are just ignorant about dealing with such issues but I trust that talking this issue with the Premier Mr Ace Magashule, he will but into the idea and persue the matter. Bloemfontein deserves better.

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