Springfontein, situated 30 km south of Trompsburg, is an important railway junction, with the lines from Port Elizabeth and East London to Gauteng intersecting here. The quaint little town derives it’s name from an artesian spring on the farm Springfontein. The graves of Boer women and children who died during the Anglo Boer War in a British concentration camp can be seen in the local cemetery.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there - Bloemfontein 150 km (N1), Trompsburg 30 km

Altitude – 1240 m above sea level

Average Temperatures - Summer 27°c – 33°c; Winter 3°c – 12°c

Banks – Fnb

Dams – Gariep

HISTORICAL VIEW

Boer War Block Houses

The remains of a number of block houses dating from the war are found along the railway line

Concentration Camp

This concentration camp was situated east of the town. During 1901 it was hit by a heavy snowstorm and many of the tents were damaged. Due to the severe winter the death rate was high. A total of 704 people, mainly children, died in the concentration camp during the war.

Concentration Camp Cemetery

The graves of over 700 Boer and 300 British victims of the Anglo Boer War buried in the same cemetery.

Concentration Camp Children’s Cemetery

There is a separate cemetery where unbaptised children were buried

De Bome

The house next to the concentration camp site where Emily Hobhouse stayed during her visits to Springfontein.

Historical Anglican Church - With stained glass windows

Ox Wagon Tracks - Made during the symbolic trek of 1938

San Petroglyphs - Rock engravings carved by San people approximately 1000 years ago.

Washing Stone

An original washing stone used in a nearby concentration camp during the Anglo Boer War

ATTRACTIONS

Arts and Crafts

Shangari – La B&B Wooden bird carvings and paintings

Khoi Fish Hatcheries - At Shangri – La B&B

ACTIVITIES

Bird Watching - 130 species in typical false Karoo vegetation

WHERE TO STAY

Boschrand Guest Farm

Ideal halfway stop to the Cape from Johannesburg or Durban. Comfy and neat private units, each with shower, toilet and fridge. Tea / Coffee making facilities. Farmstyle hospitality at B&B or DB&B. Children half price. Enjoy a Karoo sunset, or stroll in the beautiful gardens – home to a variety of butterflies and birds. Walk to the farm dam where waterfowl may be seen. Only 400 m from the N1. 170 km south of Bloemfontein. 60 km north of Colesberg. Johannesburg (600 km), Cape Town (800 km).

Accommodation in and around Springfontein