South Africa has 9 National Botanical Gardens, managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The focus of the gardens is to conserve and preserve South Africa’s unique indigenous plants and promote environmental interest. These gardens are fantastic for day outings and picnics, and we’d highly encourage a visit:

1. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Western Cape

Top of the list and close to my heart is Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain in Newlands, Cape Town. This 36 hectare garden forms part of a 528 hectare estate and is world renowned for its natural beauty. It grows only indigenous South African plants and supports a diverse array of fynbos and natural forest. Features include the Botanical Society Conservatory, Water-wise Garden, Fragrance Garden, Medicinal Garden, The Dell, Protea Garden, and Van Riebeeck’s Hedge. The Visitor’s Centre has an information desk, retail outlets, and a coffee shop. Don’t miss the annual sunset concerts, held on Sunday evenings during summer. Other features include the Boomslang aerial walkway, and guided tours at 10h00 and 14h00, Monday – Saturday.

Useful information:

• Times: 08h00 – 19h00 (Sep – Mar), 08h00 – 18h00 (Apr – Aug)
• Price:  R45 for adults, R25 for students, R10 for children (6 – 7 years), free for under 6 years, free for seniors on Tuesdays
• Contact: +27 (0)21 799 8783
• Address: Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town, Western Cape

2. Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, Western Cape

The Harold Porter Botanical Garden lies between Gordon’s Bay and Betty’s Bay in the heart of the Cape fynbos region. With 10 hectares of cultivated garden and 190 hectares of natural fynbos, it’s well worth a visit. The garden has 4 vegetation types that occur naturally in the Overberg, namely afro montane forests, wetlands, coastal dunes, and fynbos, and it is also home to 60 bird species, as well as wildlife like porcupine, genet, mongoose, otter, dassie, baboon, and leopard.  Educational storyboards are dotted throughout the garden. Facilities include a nursery and grassy picnic area. Sunset concerts are held in summer.

Useful information

• Times: Weekdays: 08h00-16h30, weekends and public holidays: 08h00-17h00.
• Price: R20 for adults, R12 for seniors and students, R8 for learners, free for under 6 years, free for seniors on first Tuesday of the month
• Contact: +27 (0)28 272 9311
• Address: Cnr Clarence Drive & Broadwith Rd, Betty’s Bay, Western Cape

3. Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, Western Cape

Karoo Desert Botanical Garden, set on the outskirts of Worcester displays one of the largest collections of indigenous succulents. The 155 hectare garden is made up of semi-desert vegetation, and has over 400 naturally occurring plant species, including Namaqualand flora and over 300 protected species.  Features include the Khoisan ‘kookskerm’ (cooking shelter), plant maze, Braille trail, shale trail, and nursery. There is also the Kokerboom Restaurant.

Useful Information

• Times: Daily: 07h00 – 19h00
• Price: R10 for adults, R7 for students, R5 for seniors and under 18 (Nov – May), R20 for adults, R14 for students, R10 for seniors and under 18 (June – Oct)
• Contact:  +27 (0)23 347 0785
• Address: Van Riebeeck Park, Roux Road, Worcester, Breede River Valley, Western Cape

4. Free State National Botanical Garden, Free State

The Free State Botanical Garden is a 70 hectare garden set on the outskirts of Bloemfontein. The garden is home to over 400 plant species, mainly from the Free State, Northern Cape, and Lesotho, and supports 124 bird species, 54 reptile species, and 50 mammal species.  Most of the plants are in full bloom From November – March, and guided tours occur between 08h00 and 15h30, Monday – Friday. The Botanical Society organises moonlight walks and sunset concerts in summer. Facilities include a curio shop, nursery, and Zizi Restaurant.

Useful information

• Times: Weekdays: 08h00 – 16h30, weekends and public holidays: 08h00 – 17h00

• Price: R18 for adults, R14 for senior citizens and scholars, R10 for pre-schoolers
• Contact: +27 (0)51 436 3530
• Address: Rayton Road, Bloemfontein, Free State

5. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Gauteng

The Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden covers almost 300 hectares in Roodepoort, Gauteng. The garden has over 600 plant species, 220 bird species, as well as numerous reptile and small mammals including antelope and jackal. Guided tours can be arranged. Hike to see the breeding pair of Verreaux’s Eagles nesting in the cliffs alongside a waterfall. Facilities include a nursery, gift and book shop, and Eagles Fare Restaurant. Sunset concerts are held in summer.

Useful information:

• Times: Daily: 08h00 – 17h00
• Price: R35 for adults, R25 for seniors, R25 for students, R12 for scholars, free for under 6 years, free for seniors on Tuesdays
• Contact: +27 (0)86 100 1278
• Address: Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort, Gauteng

6. Pretoria National Botanical Garden, Gauteng

The Pretoria Botanical Garden is a 76 hectare garden, which is home to the Head Office of SANBI (South African National Botanical Institute). This garden is divided into two sections by a 50m high quartzite outcrop, showcasing two very different worlds. The garden offers a glimpse of different biomes such as savannah, forest, and fynbos. The garden is home to over 198 bird species, as well as numerous reptiles and small mammals. Features include the wisteria avenue, medicinal plants, and natural ridge vegetation. Facilities include a gift and book shop, the Mokha Restaurant, and Milkplum Café.

Useful Information

• Times: Daily: 08h00 – 18h00
• Price: R26 for adults, R16 for students, R12 for children, free for under 6 years, free for seniors on Tuesdays
• Contact: +27 (0)12 843 5194.
• Address: 2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria, Pretoria, Gauteng

7. KwaZulu Natal National Botanical Garden, KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu Natal National Botanical Garden, also known as the Pietermaritzburg Botanical Garden, focuses on conservation of indigenous plants, and the growth of east coast grasslands. It is known for its long avenue of trees leading to a bell tower that houses a ship bell from the HMS Princess, that King George V used to cross the channel in 1918. Features include a medicinal garden, nursery, shop, Saturday morning farmers market, and Sisipho Strelitzia Room Restaurant. Over 150 species of birds have been recorded.

Useful Information

• Times: May to September: 08h00 – 17h30, October to April: 08h00 – 18h00
• Price: R20 for adults, R12 for seniors and scholars, R10 for dogs, free for under 6 years
• Contact: +27 (0)33 344 3585
• Address: 2 Swartkops Rd, Prestbury, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal

8. Lowveld National Botanical Garden, Mpumalanga

The Lowveld Botanical Garden  is a 159 hectare garden in Nelspruit, home to over 600 naturally occurring plant species, and a further 2000 that have been introduced to the garden.  The Crocodile and Nels River both run through the park, with the river banks covered in tropical African rainforest. The garden has around 650 tree species indigenous to South Africa, interspersed with ancient cycads and shrubs. The garden is dominated by a vegetation type known as Sour Lowveld Bushveld.

Useful information

• Times: September to March: 08h00 – 18h00, April to August: 08h00 – 17h00
• Price: R24 for adults, R12 for students and seniors, and R10 for children
• Contact: +27 (0)13 752 5531
• Address: Off White River Road, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga

9. Hantam National Botanical Garden, Northern Cape

Hantam Botanical Garden lies on the Bokkeveld Plateau just outside the town of Nieuwoudtville. This garden is regarded as one of the world’s most special biodiversity treasures, is part of the first National Botanical Gardens in the Northern Cape. During the flower season, the garden is alive with spring flowers.

Useful Information

• Times: Monday to Friday: 07h30 – 16h30, daily during peak season (Aug to Oct): 08h00 –17h00
• Price: Free out of flower season (Aug to October), R16 for adults, and R8 for seniors and children during flower season (Aug to Oct)
• Contact: +27 (0)27 2181200
• Address: Oorlogskloof Rd,  Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape

Which botanical garden have you been to? Let us know your favourite features in the comments below.

Main image by dkeats (Flickr)