City: South Africa
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The 10 Best Gardens in South Africa, South Africa
in the African Union (light blue)
Restaurants in South Africa
1. Benvie Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Teresabudler - Randburg, South Africa
We had such an amazing time in the gardens! This must be South Africans most beautiful Open Garden! It’s very well kept with the most magnificent trees and plants! Take your own picnic and water as there is no eating facility anywhere around, but so well worth it!! Bathroom facility is very clean! Best kept secret in the Midlands!
2. Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
TO ENTER AN ARTIST’S GARDEN IS TO VISIT ANOTHER WORLD. The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden is a place of expansive vistas, scents and the sounds of nature, with tranquil groves, hidden paths and lush indigenous vegetation. The project began serendipitously in 2009 when Lewis hired an excavator on a whim and began shaping the contours of what would become the seven-hectare sculpture garden. Today, the artist continues to explore themes integral to his work in this serene landscape on the slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain looking out over vineyards towards the ocean. Visits and tours by appointment only.
Reviewed By BarbaraMackenzie - Stellenbosch, South Africa
I was invited to take part in a private guided tour through the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. I am not an art person but I do like nature. I was absolutely blown away by this serenity and peaceful atmosphere that opens up once one enters the garden. There is hope for mankind if someone can create something so beautiful and just let it breath - in nature - surrounded by mountains & skies and it almost feels like his sculptures were always there. From the beginning of the beginning. I would highly recommend to have a guide walking with you, it certainly is worth the money if one is interested how the artist started this amazing garden.
3. Free State National Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
This carefully landscaped and colorful garden, with paved walkways, nature talks and moonlight walks, is popular year round.
Reviewed By Simonwien1961 - Rushden, United Kingdom
This was my second visit to the Gardens its a well maintained beautiful and peaceful place the entrance fee is so cheap 28 Rand under £2 & $2. I walked all around to the top of the hill and down with nice views. There are plenty of different birds to see on my first visit in March 2018 the dam didn't have any water in it but this time it did so able to watch many waterfowl there is a bird hide to view them, I saw a coot couple building a nest on the dam I loved it watching the male swimming out to collect twigs for the female to build her nest it was so sweet. Later in the afternoon the Mongooses come out and walk around. The restaurant is very cheap with nice food too just be careful of the swallow who seems to like to attack you as you enter the restaurant. My only suggestion to make it better is to put the price up a little and supply a map I have seen some people complain about the noise from the Motorway but unless there is a very noisy lorry you hardly notice it.
4. Durban Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,204 reviews
Rare plants, exquisite orchids and charity tea parties draw visitors to this botanical garden.
Reviewed By wrmnk001 - Berkhamsted, United Kingdom
I have visited Durban many times and I always head for the botanic gardens as it is the most beautiful place in Durban. There are always an abundance of flowers and the bird life there is amazing especially around the small lake, and of course there are the monkeys! This garden is a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours away from busy Durban and it is free!!
5. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,899 reviews
Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is internationally acclaimed as one of the seven most magnificent botanical gardens in the world. The 528 hectares estate includes a cultivated garden and a nature reserve. The developed garden displays collections of southern African plants including many rare and endangered species. There are also visitor facilities in the garden including restaurants, a nursery, a gift shop, a bookshop and a permanent Zimbabwean stone sculpture exhibition.
Reviewed By 104akashg - Port Louis, null
This is a park of majestic, gigantic proportions... We got there by the Hop On Hop Off bus and spent about 2 hours there to be able to catch the next one. But you'd be better advised to go early and spend at least half a day there, just to be able to absorb the sensation of peace, quietness, and serenity that this place exudes... Make sure to have a go on the canopy walk and the numerous nooks and crannies that this immense garden possesses... definitely worth the time!
6. Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 879 reviews
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, located in the historical center of Stellenbosch, is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa. This compact Garden houses an enormous diversity of plants, both indigenous to South Africa and exotic. The Garden is open to the public and a R10 admission applies. Although the Garden does not have a visitor parking area, a parking lot is located adjacent to the garden in Van Riebeeck Street.
Reviewed By patriciaty
This was a 3 minute walk from our accommodation. Their Lily pond with Lily pads and water lilies was outstanding. They also have a great selection of Bonsai trees. The staff were extremely friendly and informative. Nice cafe with equally friendly staff.
7. Arderne Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
The Arderne Gardens in Claremont, Cape Town, have a collection of several hundred species of trees and shrubs, representing the finest collection of exotic species in a public garden in South Africa.
Reviewed By AndrewB8878 - Lincoln, United Kingdom
I have stayed in Claremont/Newlands many times and am ashamed to say that I have never been to these gardens before and they are probably not on most tourists radar. You can park on the road outside and there is no admission charge. I think it is true that whilst the gardens are reasonably well maintained they have, probably due to financial constraints, seen better days. However some of the huge trees are absolutely fantastic , the like of which I have never seen before. One can only imagine what these gardens were like at their pristine best in years gone by but make no mistake they are still very much worth a visit - an hour will suffice. I shall make sure I visit again next time I am in Cape Town. Some of those massive tall trees will linger long in the memory.
8. Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 370 reviews
Reviewed By Loppylugs22 - Bishop's Waltham, United Kingdom
What a wonderful place this is. Having planned my trip to South Africa many months previously, I was dismayed to hear of the awful fire of January this year (started by some idiot setting off a marine flare on New Year's Day). I still wanted to visit but didn't really know what to expect. I was not disappointed! The re-growth is astounding and although evidence of the fire is still there, it's fast being covered up by the lush and verdant new growth. Many of the bridges over the stream are beyond repair but there are well signposted diversions until they are replaced. I think possibly that finance may be an issue here so please donate as much as you can at the entrance. I spent over an hour just meandering about before setting off on the Leopard's Kloof trail that takes you up into the ravine. There's a locked gate to go through and you will need to get a key at the garden entrance. There's a refundable R50 deposit on the key. The walk itself is not too strenuous and crosses the stream in several places. The second half has some ladder like steps to traverse but nothing too scary. The waterfall itself is utterly fantastic and well worth the walk. I count this as one of the highlights of my entire trip. Then it's back down the ravine and into the garden again for another hour or so of botanical bliss. Please note that at the time of my visit the restaurant was closed while they look for another franchisee to run it.It didn't matter, there are some very good eateries within a short drive. Don't miss out on this place if you are travelling through or even make a special trip from Cape Town. It's only a couple of hours away and who could tire of driving through this amazing scenery? I'm already planning a return trip in April 2020.
9. Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By CaroW45
I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the flowers in the reserve. The Proteas were magnificent
10. Lowveld National Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
The Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Nelspruit, ‘grows’ magically out of the confluence of the Crocodile and Nels Rivers and offers up a magnificent array of nature’s treasures. The two rivers create spectacular waterfalls which give this Garden its visually spectacular character.
Reviewed By SallyD040 - Johannesburg, South Africa
Was passing through Nelspruit and had a couple of hours to spare so whilst my hubby was busy I stopped in at the Lowveld Botanical gardens. What a treat - it was quiet and too beautiful for words .. I walked the paths past gushing waterfalls, saw butterflies and birds, crossed the suspension bridge and meandered along the canopy walk way through the trees. I didn’t see any hippos but did spot a green water snake .. it was so peaceful with the background noise of running water and singing birds. Lots of info along the way - all well marked and informative. I stopped in the restaurant - friendly staff - for a drink and further viewing with my binoculars. You will feel that all is well with the world whilst you’re there !!!
