Johannesburg Botanical Garden Travel Guide: Top Sights in South

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Johannesburg Botanical Garden- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Educational & Science; South Africa; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 4 hours

The Johannesburg Botanical Garden, an 81-hectare oasis in South Africa, has grown from its pragmatic beginnings in 1969 from a simple sports field to a diverse ecological haven, boasting vast, open grasslands and an array of themed gardens such as the Shakespeare Garden, Rose Garden, and Herb Garden. Apart from offering tranquil spaces for picnickers, runners, and nature enthusiasts, this green lung supports a vibrant calendar of events including concerts and kite-flying contests. Highlighted by the scenic Emmarentia Dam, the garden is an engaging mix of indigenous and exotic flora, meticulously planned to inspire and educate. Its development followed pleas since the 1920s for a botanical garden in Johannesburg, culminating in the concrete realization of a botanical and recreational gem. With ongoing expansion plans and a dedication to plant conservation, the garden does not only offer recreational spaces but also acts as a living repository, conserving rare and endangered species through its global seed exchange program. Security measures ensure a safe visit, while amenities like the tea pergola and floreum cater to gatherings and exhibitions, enriching the visitor experience with both beauty and knowledge.

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Reviews of Johannesburg Botanical Garden

Eleanor Hattingh

3
Reviewed: 2024-07-11

A quick little 6km around Emmerentia Botanical.Gardens, not bad for a municipal garden, lovely walking area for dogs and track for cyclists too. Construction at the moment makes it dusty. Some of the gardens need attention and water features don't work would be lovely if restored to it former glory.
Benedict Dube

5
Reviewed: 2024-07-01

Such a great place to chill, there are several benches in different positions, allowing one to just relax and read a book. In my three visits, the park was pretty much quiet for a public place, which is very awesome. The lake side has ducks, which are great, they fly occasionally, so in case you've never seen a duck fly, you have the chance to be as surprised as I was.
Buhle Madondo

5
Reviewed: 2024-05-27

Absolutely love the trees and freshly cut grass. I specifically enjoyed people playing with their dogs in the ponds. The book and plant store near the bathrooms is quite lovely. I had a great experience. I'd recommend it for picnics, walks, running, cycling, and meditation.
FJ Lotz

5
Reviewed: 2024-05-06

It is a beautiful park to visit in the middle of the city. We find it very safe and clean. It is ideal for a picnic or a walk. There is also a separate section where you can take your dogs for a walk. Highly recommen it if you are looking to spend some time outdoors.
Dijon Harrington

5
Reviewed: 2024-02-20

Beautiful and well-maintained with amazing roses and lovely shade under trees to have a picnic! We loved our experience here. However, there was an enormous amount of people here for a lovely Somali wedding and the attendees were so disrespectful and inconsiderate, throwing their empty plastic water bottles and waste all over the garden. It was SHOCKING. They just didn’t care. Such an amazing space and people just treat it like a garbage dump. I was SO disappointed. Other than that, this place is a BEAUTIFUL space to hang out and have a cute picnic with friends.