Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Take a stroll through 76 ha of urban garden at The Pretoria National Botanical Garden just outside the Pretoria CBD. It includes 50% of the country’s tree species and is one of ten gardens run by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.
Text and pictures by Charl Steenkamp
The Garden is divided into two parts by a 35 m high ridge: a more shadowy and frosty southern section and a warmer north-facing section, each with its own unique flora. Visitors can explore these different sections by paved nature trails.
The Garden is also home to the Head Office of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the National Herbarium, which houses the largest collection of plant specimens in Southern Africa with over one million specimens.
Activities
The Gardens are a lovely place to have picnic or simply take a stroll or even a short hike. There is a tea garden for refreshments. Concerts are also often held at the Gardens.
Wheelchair facilities are available and most pathways, except the Dassie Trail, Succulent Garden and Cycad garden, are accessible.
The Garden can be visited all year round and each season has different parts of the garden in flower.
Flora
Almost two thirds of the Garden is devoted to a developed indigenous garden and contains 50% of South Africa’s tree species. A self-guided tree route showcases fifty of South Africa’s beautiful indigenous trees. The trail is easy to follow for young and old and is less than 1 km in distance.
The garden is divided into sections and highlights include the Succulent Garden, Savannah and Forest section, a Cycad Garden, a Wetland area, as well as a Ndebele Medicinal Garden.
Wildlife
Dassies are the most commonly seen resident in the Garden. Often lying on the lawn, basking in the sun. Other mammals include slender mongoose, scrub hare, South African lesser bushbaby and common duiker. You might even see a spotted-necked otter at the wetland area. .
There are more than 50 butterfly species listed and during the months of December to February a mass migration of the brown-veined white butterfly can be seen, when thousands of butterflies pass over the Garden in a north-easterly direction towards Mozambique.
Birding
Over 220 bird species have been recorded thus far. Species include hawks, falcons, kestrels and even the Verreaux’s Eagle, which can be seen flying above the ridges in search of dassies.
Hiking: Dassie Trail
The natural ridge along the length of the Garden is traversed by the Dassie Trail, named after the numerous rock hyraxes (dassies) found there.
This hour-long walk starts at the waterfall near the Tea Garden and follows a series of paved pathways through the natural vegetation. There are route markers all along the way as well as viewpoints and numerous benches.
Restaurant Facilities
Two restaurants can be found at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden, nameling the Mokha Restaurant and the Milkplum Cafe Function and Conference Centre.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 to 18:00
No entry after 17:00
Contact Details
Telephone: +27(0)12 843 5071
Email: pretoriagarden@sanbi.org.za
Website: Official page at SANBI
Address
Street address: 2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria, Pretoria
GPS Co-ordinates: 28°16’19.8″E 25°44’18.2″S
View on Google Map
| Pretoria Parks | Pretoria’s top nature reserves |
Related Articles
Book your accommodation right here on ShowMe.
You can find the top hotels, lodges and Airbnb establishments conveniently placed on the map below. All you need to do is click on the place that’s conveniently located and within your budget and then make a booking. What could be easier?
If the map is not where you want to be, click on the ShowMe Pin and then enter the exact name of the location and the map will adjust accordingly.
