Take a break from your busy city sightseeing schedule and relax in the beautiful setting of Johannesburg Botanical Garden. The 200-acre (81-hectare) site encompasses themed gardens, paved jogging paths and a dam. It is a popular spot for nature lovers, fitness enthusiasts and those who like to get out on the water.
Tour the various gardens to see a mixture of indigenous and exotic species. Find a collection of herbs mentioned in The Bard’s plays when you visit the Shakespeare Garden. See Californian redwoods and English oaks in the Arboretum and breathe in the scents of African medicinal plants in the Herb Garden. Walk through the Rose Garden, which has thousands of colourful roses and Japanese cherry blossoms. At the Hedge Garden, observe more than 50 species of hedges.
Learn how plants such as cacti and aloe adapt to desert environments when you tour the Succulent Garden. They are housed in six greenhouses and can only be seen by appointment. For details, visit the official website for the Johannesburg Botanical Garden.
Walk or jog along the paved trails that wind around the garden’s lawns and through woodland. Look for local bird life, such as ibises and weavers, and feed the ducks and geese at Bird Island. When you are feeling hungry, go to the restaurant or enjoy your picnic.
Take part in watersports on Emmarentia Dam, located in the garden’s northeastern corner. Cruise around this 18.5-acre (7.5-hectare) body of water on a kayak or sailing boat. Cast a line and fish for carp and bass. The banks of the dam provide a magnificent setting for concerts and cultural events. One of the most eagerly awaited is the Holi One Colour Festival in March. This is a celebration of togetherness, with music and performing arts.
Situated in the suburb of Greenside, the garden is a 15-minute drive north from downtown Johannesburg, and there is free on-site parking. If you are using public transport, there is a bus stop close to the entrance.
Johannesburg Botanical Garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset and admission is free. Visit at any time of year, although the garden is at its most picturesque from September to April, when the flowers are in full bloom.
