Bloemfontein is the junction at which the N8 travels east from the N1 to the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Just 65km from Bloem is the Tswana-dominated town of Thaba ‘Nchu with its landmark mountain and casino, followed by the village of Tweespruit. Art lovers should visit the mission here to view work by Claerhout.

Wheat fields surround Ladybrand and its characteristic sandstone buildings. The Tandjesberg Rock Art site and the numerous fossils and Stone Age implements in this basin confirm our ancestors' presence in the area. Ladybrand is the gateway to the more scenic, though longer, route via Ficksburg to the Golden Gate National Park with its awesome rock formations. To its south along the R26 and just 8km from Lesotho is Wepener, site of the Sotho mountain fortress, Thaba Bosiu.

The main border post at Maseru Bridge is just 15km from Ladybrand. Lesotho is known for its distinctive grass hats, woven fabric and pony-trekking.

More Routes:

JOHANNESBURG - BLOEMFONTEIN - COLESBERG ON N1

COLESBERG - BEAUFORT WEST - CAPE TOWN ON N1

BLOEMFONTEIN - EAST LONDON ON N6

BLOEMFONTEIN – LESOTHO ON N8

JOHANNESBURG - KIMBERLEY - BEAUFORT WEST ON N12

CAPE TOWN - PORT ELIZABETH ON N2 : THE GARDEN ROUTE

PORT ELIZABETH – CRADOCK – COLESBERG ON N10 : THE KAROO

PORT ELIZABETH - EAST LONDON - WILD COAST - DURBAN ON N2

CAPE TOWN – SPRINGBOK ON N7: THE WEST COAST

JOHANNESBURG – DRAKENSBERG - DURBAN ON N3

JOHANNESBURG – SWAZILAND – NORTH COAST ON N17/N2

JOHANNESBURG – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – MOZAMBIQUE ON N4

JOHANNESBURG – MESSINA - ZIMBABWE ON N1

JOHANNESBURG/PRETORIA – MAGALIESBURG - BOTSWANA ON N4

JOHANNESBURG – UPINGTON – SPRINGBOK ON N14