Maluti Mountains Route, Free State

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Country-style village life in Zastron

The villages of Zastron and Wepener, in the Free State, are part of the scenic Maluti Mountains Route, serving as a gateway to Lesotho.

There are 4 entry points into Lesotho here within a 75km radius. Travellers, bikers and 4x4 enthusiasts from Gauteng and the Cape who like to head off the beaten track often head this way.

Zastron and Wepener are agricultural towns surrounded by productive livestock, dairy, wheat and cattle farms, situated in a dramatic landscape, creased with mountains. 

1 000s of years ago the region was home to the San (also known as Bushman) people who lived in the surrounding sandstone caves. Their legacy lives on in their rock paintings on the surrounding farms, some of which you can visit. In the 1800s the region was a fierce battleground for land between the Free State settlers and the Basotho people, and between the Boers and the British during the South African War (sometimes called the Anglo-Boer War).

Hunters from all over the world, the United States in particular, visit here each year, frequenting the hunting lodges in and around Zastron. If you're a golfer, bring along your clubs as there's a fine 9-hole golf course 2km outside of Zastron.

The Montagu Dam offers excellent fishing and watersports. Hiking trails, mountain biking, rock climbing and quad biking are also favourite pastimes in this area.

The legendary woollen Basotho blanket with its distinctive patterns can be traced back to Lord Ian Fraser, an early resident, who first imported them from Britain. Spend a winter in these parts and you will well understand why the blanket, worn as a cloak, is an essential piece of clothing.

Zastron is a lively village, and you will be warmly welcomed by the locals, keen to show you around.