Bloemfontein’s Hilltop Reserve
Naval Hill and Franklin Game Reserve bring wildlife, history and city views together in the centre of Bloemfontein. It is an unusual and valuable urban reserve: a place to see giraffe, zebra, antelope, ostrich and birds while looking across the city, then connect the landscape to the White Horse, Nelson Mandela statue and Naval Hill Planetarium.
A Reserve Inside a City
Franklin Game Reserve shows that protected nature does not exist only far from towns. Its grassland and koppie habitats give urban residents and visitors a close encounter with plants, animals and wide skies. That accessibility also makes visitor behaviour especially important: litter, feeding wildlife, loose dogs and loud music quickly affect a small urban wildlife landscape.
Wildlife with Sensible Distance
Friends of Franklin lists giraffe, blue wildebeest, zebra, blesbok, nyala, ostrich and a wide variety of birds, including spotted eagle-owl and jackal buzzard. There are no large predators, but wild animals remain wild. Stay at least several metres away, keep children close and never offer food in the hope of a better photograph.
Walk, Jog or Drive Carefully
The reserve is popular for walking, jogging and sightseeing, with roads shared by vehicles and people. There are not formal guided walking trails, so a visit should be treated as cautious public recreation rather than a remote hike. Walk in pairs or a group, remain alert to traffic and follow gate, access and seasonal operating information.
History and the Night Sky
Naval Hill’s name recalls naval guns used during the Anglo-Boer War, while the White Horse remains a visible reminder of the period. The planetarium adds a different kind of viewpoint, linking the hill’s geology and city panorama with astronomy. These layers make the reserve especially useful for families and visitors who want nature and local history together.
A Respectful City Nature Visit
Keep dogs out, do not feed animals, take rubbish home and leave the reserve as quiet as you found it. Dawn and late afternoon can be rewarding for wildlife and light, but never stay beyond the confirmed gate time. Treat every visit as support for the small conservation space that Bloemfontein is fortunate to have.
Before You Go
Check current public guidance through Friends of Franklin before travelling to the Union Avenue entrance. Their information helps visitors understand access, wildlife etiquette and the reserve’s ongoing conservation work.