NelspruitLowveld National Botanical Garden | Nelspruit’s Oasis – Nelspruit https://showme.co.za/nelspruit Nelspruit, South Africa for all your local and tourism information; from accommodation to events, entertainment, attractions and news - ShowMe Nelspruit | T Feed Tue, 26 Mar 2024 08:45:05 +0000 hourly 1 https://showme.co.za/nelspruit/?p=13136 Lowveld National Botanical Garden | Nelspruit’s Oasis https://showme.co.za/nelspruit/tourism/lowveld-national-botanical-gardens-nelspruits-oasis/ Wed, 29 Oct 2014 11:02:37 +0000 The Lowveld National Botanical Garden is situated on the outskirts of Nelspruit and is a must see tourist attraction when visiting]]> The Lowveld National Botanical Garden in the heart of Nelspruit stands as a stunning testament to the incredible biodiversity of the Lowveld. It is the perfect place to go to find a quiet, natural solace from busy city life or learn more about some of South Africa’s most fascinating fauna and flora.
Although the garden is generally peaceful, do keep in consideration that it is a public space and it is not advised to walk alone or wonder off too far for your own safety. Please be conscious of your surroundings at all times.

By Dale Hes

Lowveld Botanical Gardens

From left to right: Perfect Picnic, Rain-forest, Cascades Waterfall

History and Ecology

The garden was established in 1969 as the Nelspruit Municipality realised that the grounds, rich with animal, plant, and insect life, would be an ideal place to promote tourism, education and conservation in Mpumalanga. This belief was thoroughly vindicated, as today the garden is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the province.

One of only nine National Botanical Gardens in the country, the 165ha piece of land plays host to a mind-boggling array of natural wonders. It encompasses a variety of ecosystems including evergreen forest belts, dry bushveld and African rainforest. The landscaped parts of the garden are characterised by large, sweeping lawns and indigenous trees.

850 tree species, 242 bird species, 53 reptile species and 43 mammal species are to be found in this prosperous fountain of life. The garden is also renowned for the 91 species of cycad that are found here and visitors will see these rare and valuable plants dotted all over the property.

Although the climate of the region means that the garden stays green all year round, the best time to visit is in spring, when most of the trees are in full flower.

The powerful Crocodile River flows all the way along the western side of the garden, and spoils visitors with the most awe-inspiring spectacle to be found in Nelspruit, the mighty Cascades. Here, millions of tonnes of water rumbles through a granite gorge and crashes into the pools below and creating mist that rises above the falls.

The Nels River enters the garden in a less dramatic manner, streaming over a waterfall from the east, before the two rivers converge in the garden to become one.

Walking Routes

Route One – New Entrance

Guests arrive at a naturally coloured thatched roof building which houses the beautiful Kuzuri restaurant, with an entrance to the garden on the left. An information centre will give you some background knowledge about the garden before you venture in.

This access point is the best place to enter if you want to quickly and easily reach the magnificent Cascades. Brick walkways lead you to two breathtaking wooden viewpoints which put you within spraying distance of the falls.

Further on, the walkway crosses the River on a suspension bridge before you enter the rain forest, arguably the most beautiful part of the garden. You may well start to think you are in the Amazon as the raised wooden walkways take you past colourful irises, tree creepers and indigenous yellow woods. The trail will then take you to where the original main access point is located.

Lowveld National Botanical Gardens

Route 2 – Secondary Entrance

Visitors can acquire maps and other information from here, and during spring will be greeted by beautiful blooming orange clivias on the way in. There is also a nursery where some of the indigenous plants found in the garden are sold.

This entrance is well suited to visitors who wish to have a quiet stroll through the garden and settle down for a picnic on the manicured lawns. There are plenty of shaded picnic spots to choose from so you can be assured of privacy.

The entire property is well signposted, clearly pointing visitors down the paved walkways towards the various parts of the garden. Ample consideration is also given to the physically handicapped, with over 70% of the walkways wheelchair friendly.

The forest will be on your left hand side as you walk down the main path, which, if followed without deviation, will lead you through cycad forests, over a small bridge and on towards the tea garden situated in the lush green heart of the gardens. Nestled under the branches of the Big Old Fig Tree, the tea garden offers delicious cakes and light meals and is in close proximity to the children’s play area, allowing parents to keep an eye on the little ones.

Throughout the garden information boards provide insights into most of the ecological marvels found on the premises. Visitors will learn about floral first aid kits, green cat’s tails, elephant toothpicks, sycamore fig sarcophagi and a whole host of other weird and wonderful facts which are guaranteed to vastly broaden your knowledge of biology.

Make sure that you go to every section of the garden, from the Dry Bushveld Plants Area, to the Cabbage Trees and Baobabs and onwards to the Nels River viewpoint with its view of the waterfall and the magnificent Nelspruit government buildings. The Medicinal Plants Garden is also a fascinating stop-off point, and the ‘Braille Trail’ is a unique endeavour which allows the blind to also learn about the plants and animals in the garden.

You will leave the Lowveld National Botanical Garden with a new found respect for South African plant and animal life, and should rank high on your checklist when visiting Mpumalanga.

FeesEntrance to Botanical Gardens

Adults: R24

Children under 16: R10

Seniors: R12

Students: R12

Botsoc Members: Free

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