South Africa's National Botanical Gardens

South Africa's National Botanical Gardens

South Africa has ten National Botanical Gardens which are managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The focus of the National Botanical Gardens is growing and conserving South Africa’s indigenous plants, conserving over 1,350 hectares of natural vegetation and associated biodiversity within their boundaries and promoting and raising environmental awareness in South Africa and abroad.

Did you know? South Africa is home to more than 22 000 indigenous seed plants from almost 230 different families. It is also the proud home of 10% of the world’s flowering species, making it a major contributor to the global ecological scene.

Ten National Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Overnight? Newlands Accommodation
Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The Kirstenbosch estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections of South African plants...

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Free State National Botanical Gardens

Overnight? Bloemfontein Accommodation
On the north western fringes of Bloemfontein lie 70 hectares of botanical garden, in a valley peppered with dolerite koppies, tall grassland and woodland; some magnificent examples of wild olive and karee trees, an orange blossom arbour and...

Free State Botanical Gardens

Harold Porter National Botanical Garden

Overnight? Bettys Bay Accommodation
The Harold Porter National Botanical Garden lies in the heart of the Cape fynbos region, a dedication to this natural shrubland vegetation with 10 hectares of cultivated fynbos garden, and a further 190 hectares of natural fynbos to gratify the visitor...

Harold Porter Botanical Garden

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens

Overnight? Roodepoort Accommodation
One of the great escapes of Johannesburg, the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, Gauteng, is almost 300 hectares of landscaped and natural veld that is a haven for birds and a popular picnic spot for Gautengers. Despite development...

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

Pietermaritzburg National Botanical Garden

Overnight? Pietermaritzburg Accommodation
One of ten national botanical gardens, Pietermaritzburg's Botanical Gardens occupy an ancient floodplain and hillside on the edge of a mist belt that creates an atmosphere, on days when the mists roll in, something like that of a Dickens novel...

Pietermaritzburg Botanical Garden

Pretoria National Botanical Garden

Overnight? Pretoria Accommodation
The Pretoria National Botanical Garden, founded in 1946, is home to the Head Office of SANBI (South African National Botanical Institute). This Pretoria Garden successfully bridges the divide between scientific research and the recreational environment...

Pretoria Botanical Garden

Lowveld National Botanical Garden

Overnight? Nelspruit Accommodation
One of the main reasons to visit Nelspruit, the Lowveld National Botanical Garden lies just outside of town, a beautiful 159 hectare space dominated by rugged, rocky river scenery, and home to over 600 naturally occurring plant species, and a further...

Lowveld Botanical Garden

Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden

Overnight? Worcester Accommodation
In Roux Road on the outskirts of Worcester, some 120 kilometres from Cape Town, lies a unique gem of a garden - the only truly succulent garden in the southern hemisphere, and indeed Africa, that displays one of the largest collection of indigenous...

Karoo Desert Botanical Garden

Hantam National Botanical Garden

Overnight? Nieuwoudtville Accommodation
Hantam National Botanical Garden is regarded as one of the world's most special biodiversity treasures, and forms the first National Botanical Gardens in the Northern Cape Province, and the ninth National Botanical Garden in South Africa...

Hantam Botanical Garden

Kwelera National Botanical Garden

Overnight? East London Accommodation
Before that the 164 hectare strip of coast that runs parallel to the Indian Ocean between Gonubie and where the Kwelera River meets the sea just north east of East London, languered in virtual obscurity known only by the residents of, and visitors to...

Kwelera Botanical Garden

Other Notable Botanical Gardens

Modjadji Cycad Reserve

Overnight? Modjadjiskloof Accommodation
High in the Lobedu Mountains near Duiwelskloof and situated next to the home of the fabled rain queen, lies the Modjadji Cycad Reserve, boasting some of the oldest and largest Cycad specimens on earth. The 530 hectare Modjadji Nature Reserve...

Modjadji Cycad Reserve

Durban Botanical Gardens

Overnight? Durban Accommodation
Durban’s Botanical Gardens on the eastern slopes of the Berea ridge that began as a site for growing experimental tropical crops, today offer a herbarium, an orchid house, a Cycad collection, a garden for the blind and a charity tea garden. The Durban...

Durban Botanical Gardens

Garden Route Botanical Garden

Overnight? George Accommodation
Situated at the top of Caledon Street, in the town of George, the Garden Route Botanical Garden is worth a visit for its value as a 'green lung' but also for the role it plays in raising awareness about the unique kind of flora that exists in the Garden...

Garden Route Botanical Garden

Johannesburg Botanic Garden

Overnight? Emmarentia Accommodation
The Johannesburg Botanic Garden is also one of the youngest gardens in the country at only just over 30 years of age. It was voted the best passive recreation space in the city by its residents in 2004 that make use of the greenery to escape the...

Johannesburg Botanic Garden

North-West University Garden

Overnight? Potchefstroom Accommodation
The bird list alone reads like a veritable feast, and you can hope to see anything from a steppe buzzard and African harrier-hawk to a spotted flycatcher and malachite kingfisher in the North-West University Botanical Garden that graces the...

North-West University Botanical Garden

Makana Botanical Gardens

Overnight? Grahamstown Accommodation
The Makana Botanical gardens were established way back in 1853 and were the second garden established in the Cape Colony at the time. Given the beauty of the grounds of Rhodes University, with its gardens and flower beds that invite...

Makana Botanical Gardens

Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens

Overnight? Stellenbosch Accommodation
The Stellenbosch Botanical Garden is the oldest university botanic garden in South Africa. The Garden is beautifully maintained and includes three glass houses (tropical-, succulent- and karoo houses), Lotus lily / Koi fish pond, Japanese Garden, Herb...

Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens

Oppenheimer Gardens

Overnight? Soweto Accommodation
In the midst of Soweto, on the corner of Majoeng and Ntsane Streets, you will find a garden. Actually it looks as if it could be a forest, the many trees of the garden are so dense, and it certainly qualifies as a bird sanctuary for this reason. The...

Oppenheimer Gardens

Biodiversity Showcase Garden

Overnight? Green Point Accommodation
The Biodiversity Showcase Garden features no fewer than 300 local plant species, animal sculptures, interactive displays, demonstration gardens, a Khoikhoi display and more - the aim, not only to educate, but to inspire. Even before the import of the...

Biodiversity Showcase Garden

Ethno Botanical Garden

Overnight? Mossel Bay Accommodation
The Ethno Botanical Garden & Braille Trail is located within the rolling grounds of the Dias Museum Complex, amongst greenery, and splendid views of Santos Beach and Mossel Bay. The complex contains several buildings within the complex...

Ethno Botanical Garden & Braille Trail

Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre

Stay? Hartbeespoort Dam Accommodation
Margaret Roberts is a brand that has long been associated with herbs, tinctures, herbal, food and health products in South Africa. The Herbal Centre encompasses everything that Margaret herself is passionate about, from the impressive herb...

Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre

Barrydale Heritage Garden

Overnight? Barrydale Accommodation
If you are travelling near Barrydale be sure to stop in at Barrydale Heritage Garden. This tranquil paradise is brimming with the most outstanding and spectacular flora you could feast your eyes on. The garden and the unique plants within allow you...

Barrydale Heritage Garden

Makaranga Botanical Garden

Overnight? Kloof Accommodation
If you are looking for somewhere different to spend an afternoon or even an hour or two look no further than the splendid Makaranga Botanical Gardens. Located in the suburb of Kloof it is difficult to believe that this 30 acre piece of stunning...

Makaranga Botanical Garden