Located at the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, the cosy town of Clarens is fondly known as the "Jewel of the Free State."
With breathtaking natural surroundings, a well-established art scene and countless adventure activities, this much-loved local gem has much to offer the discerning traveller. Clarens boasts a convenient location for South African visitors and tourists alike; it can be found just 300km from Johannesburg, 280km from Bloemfontein and 380km from Durban. The Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein is the nearest South African international airport from which to access Clarens, however, if you’re keen to include another country in your travels, the Moshoeshoe I International Airport in Lesotho is situated just 190km away.
The small town of Clarens boasts a fascinating history dating back more than 2000 years. Rock art found nearby revealed the first human inhabitants to be the Khoisan nomadic hunter-gatherers. The town itself was established in 1912 when a prestigious company purchased two farms – named ‘Naauwpoort’ and ‘Leliehoek’ – and divided them into various plots of land. Clarens’ namesake is a town in Switzerland where Paul Kruger spent his final days as a voluntary exile.
The village was named in his honour as a result of his leadership role in the Battle of Naauwpoort Nek (1865) in the Free State-Basotho War. The battle took place near Titanic Rock, a striking rock feature for which Clarens is now known. Interestingly, Titanic Rock was named after the historic ship to which it bears an incredible resemblance. The ship tragically sank the same year Clarens was established.
Another enthralling footnote in the rich history of Clarens was the discovery of dinosaur remains in 2009. Bone fossils, tusks, claws, eggs and teeth from 200-million-years ago were unearthed at a construction site just outside the town, on the border of South Africa and Lesotho. The types of dinosaurs discovered include Massospondylus, Antetonitrus, Gorgonopsian, Ledumahadi Mafube, Lesothosaurus and possibly a Dicynodon lacerticeps. The Massospondylus is the largest dinosaur to be found in South Africa, at approximately 5m to 6m in length. Most of the remains can be found at the National Museum in Bloemfontein, however a number of fossils can be viewed via guided dinosaur tours. Find out more, here!
Where To Stay
Looking for places to stay in Clarens? Explore our stylish self-catering villas.
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What To Do
From white water rafting and mountain biking to browsing through art galleries and craft stores.
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News & Events
Read the latest news about Clarens and keep up to date with scheduled events in the area.
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Summer
6°/28°C
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2mm
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Feb
Summer
7°/28°C
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2mm
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Mar
Autumn
10°/24°C
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0mm
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Apr
Autumn
11°/17°C
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7mm
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May
Autumn
13°/15°C
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17mm
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Jun
Winter
7°/16°C
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19mm
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Jul
Winter
6°/13°C
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23mm
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Aug
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8°/13°C
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18mm
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Sep
Spring
10°/20°C
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7mm
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Oct
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12°/24°C
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6mm
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8°/27°C
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Dec
Summer
16°/30°C
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2mm
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