Sasolburg

Sasolburg is a Town 16 km south of Vanderbijlpark and 50 km north-east of Parys. It was established in 1950 to serve the South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation. The town has won the prize for the most attractive town entrance several years in a row and is a leader in environmental awareness as statistics show there are more trees and shrubs in the town. The name is derived from the Afrikaans translation Suid-Afrikaanse Steenkool-, Olie en Gaskorporasie.  Sasolburg attained official town status in 1967. Its refinery is one of the only two viable coal-derived oil refineries in the world (the other is at Secunda in Mpumalanga).

Sasolburg is a large industrial town within the Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the far north of the Free State province of South Africa. Sasolburg is further sub-divided into three areas: Sasolburg proper, Vaalpark and Zamdela.

The dominance of Sasolburg, owing to its population density and its proximity to the economically active City of Johannesburg, provides the area with the opportunity of being declared the head office of the entire Metsimaholo Municipality.

Sasolburg is part of the Metsimaholo Local Municipality is a Category B municipality which is located within the Fezile Dabi District of the Free State Province. It is the smallest of four municipalities in the district, making up 8% of its geographical area. The municipality was established in 2000 through the amalgamation of the then Sasolburg, Deneysville and Oranjeville Transitional Local Councils. Metsimaholo means ‘big water’ in Sesotho.

Cities/Towns close to Sasolburg in the Free State are Deneysville, Kragbron, Oranjeville.

Sasolburg Tourism

Tourism Contact:   – 016 970 8600

CAPE WINE TASTING……IN THE FREE STATE!

You don’t have to travel to the Cape to experience the delights of some of the best wines in the world. Two farms in the Heilbron District near Sasolburg have come together to form the Riemland Wine Route – an authentic Cape wine tasting experience in 100-year-old cellars with wooden tables, narrow-rimmed wine-sniffing glasses, spittoons and water jugs for cleansing the palate.

Bongani Mabaso EcoPark Nature Reserve

Located at the junction of the R57 and R59 in Sasolburg. With a  braai facility provided at the lapa,  this is the best place for a fun outdoor day with loved ones. Bring a camera and don’t forget to check in. Come and experience the Bongani Mabaso EcoPark Nature Reserve in Sasolburg.  The nature reserve is a home to a variety of animals and plant species.

Lion Route

Sasolburg is part of the Lion Route in the Free State.

If you want a taste of everything that is typically “Free State”, the Lion Route has it – from culture to nature to history.

The towns along the Lion Route are:

• Deneysville
• Sasolburg
• Parys
• Vredefort
• Kroonstad

DENEYSVILLE – SA’S INLAND RIVIERA (33 km’s from Sasolburg)

Situated at the wall of the Vaal Dam, Deneysville is just an hour’s drive from Johannesburg. Known as SA’s “Inland Riviera”, Deneysville is famous for:

  • Water sport of all kinds, from power boating to laid-back pontoon boat trips and fishing charters.
  • The annual “Round the Island” Yacht Race – South Africa’s biggest inland regatta.
  • The Deneysville Croc Ranch which has about 2,800 crocodiles and also farms emus.

 

SASOLBURG – MORE THAN JUST OIL

Sasolburg is most well known for its unique oil-from-coal installation, but it has plenty else to see and do:

  • An Olympic size swimming pool and world-class athletics facilities.
  • The Ettienne Rousseau Theatre which hosts a wide range of Afrikaans and other artists.
  • Gallery 88 which houses a stunning collection of contemporary South African art.
  • A bird sanctuary with up to 70 species of Highveld birds.
  • The Riemland Museum and Riemland Wine Route at Heilbron, an hour’s drive away.

 

PARYS – YOUR FREE STATE PARADISE (44 km’s from Sasolburg)

The beautiful town of Parys is situated on the banks of the Vaal River and has become a firm favourite for both art and adventure lovers. With so many attractions, you’ll find it’s the perfect paradise for you.

  • 42 restaurants and a wide variety of arts & crafts shops.
  • Play a round of golf on Golf Island in the middle of the Vaal River.
  • Pick berries off the bush at Bon-Af Berry Farm and see SA’s only black raspberries.
  • Interact with the big cats at the Dell Cheetah Centre.
  • Visit Tumahole township just outside Parys – the birthplace of Free State Premier, Mr Ace Magashule.
  • Head for the Vaal River or the mountains of the Vredefort Dome and enjoy nature from land, water and sky.

 

VREDEFORT’S BIG BANG (56 km’s from Sasolburg)

The small town of Vredefort is the gateway to the world’s oldest and largest crater, the Vredefort Dome. Recently named a World Heritage Site, the 300km-wide crater was created when a meteorite the size of Table Mountain-sized struck the earth 2,000 million years ago. Attractions include:

  • Spectacular rock formations, including the world’s only pink granite.
  • A wealth of plant, bird and animal life.
  • Water sport on the Vaal River.
  • A nearby Lion Breeding Programme.

 

WALK THROUGH TIME IN KROONSTAD (122 km’s from Sasolburg)

Kroonstad was the first town established after the Orange Free State became independent. Situated on the banks of the beautiful Vals River, a tributary of the Vaal, it is rich in history and outdoor opportunities. Historical sites include:

  • A concentration camp and blockhouse from the Anglo-Boer war (1899-1902).
  • The Bloemspruit Monument for concentration camp victims.
  • A Garden of Remembrance for Allied victims of the two world wars.
  • Prehistoric stone corbelled huts.
  • San rock art and fossils..

 

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

  • Golf on an 18-hole golf course.
  • Interaction with lion and tiger cubs.
  • Fishing on the Vals River or the Bloemhoek Dam.
  • Boating on the Serfontein Dam.
  • Horse riding, gliding, hiking and more.

 

RESERVES AND RESORTS

Koppies Dam Nature Reserve and Resort – 71 km’s from Kroonstad.Tel: 056 777 0927

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Ambulance: 10177 Fire Brigade: 056 216 9111 Police: 10111 Traffic: 056 212 2178
Tourism Contact:   – 016 970 8600