The Botanical Gardes in Nelspruit

The Lowveld National Botanical Gardens, Mpumalanga's only national botanical garden, is a must-see for its many plant species as well as the largest collection of cycads in Africa. The yellow bush lilies and the scarlet display of the vivid flame creeper are just some of the garden's delights.

Include the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens on your itinerary if you are visiting the Mpumalanga province. Not only is it the only national botanical garden in the province, it is also close to many of the major tourist attractions in the region, including the Kruger National Park, the Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrim's Rest and God's Window.

 

The character of the Garden is shaped by the two main rivers that cut across it, namely the Crocodile and Nels Rivers.

 

Before these two rivers converge in the Garden, they form spectacular waterfalls which can be viewed at the Cascades and the Nels viewpoints.

 

When the Crocodile River is low, interesting geological formations are visible.

 

 

The suspension bridge provides a fantastic vantage point over the falls.

Located just outside Mbombela (formerly known as Nelspruit), this botanical garden receives so much rainfall that it remains green throughout the year and boasts over 2 000 species of plants. The garden also has a huge collection of cycads, the biggest in Africa.

 

 

Walking through the enchanting African Rain Forest enables one to cross the Crocodile River across the famous suspended bridge, where the cascading waterfall can also be viewed.

The South African Forest contains fascinating vegetation from the Coastal Belt as well as the Limpopo Province.

The Garden plays a critical role in conservation of rare and endangered species and played a pivotal role in establishing the cycad gene bank.

The Garden also boasts one of the largest collections of South African fig trees. The mystical baobab tree is famous for its unique shape and medicinal properties.

Various plant species have been introduced into the Garden. These include South African coastal species and a unique collection of plants which represent the rapidly disappearing tropical forests of central and west Africa.

 

The attractive yellow bush lilies together with the scarlet display of the flame creeper will tempt you into taking a few souvenir snapshots, especially in spring when these plants are flowering, attracting many sunbirds.

The dry bushveld section of the gardens will greet you with a variety of beautiful succulent species indigenous to South Africa, while from the boardwalk you can catch a sweeping view of the lush man-made African rain forest, the main reason these gardens are known as the 'evergreen botanical gardens'.

 

Kuzuri

the Restaurant in the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens

The simple menu offers something for everyone with fantastic views of the botanical gardens and a great wine selection that’s very reasonably priced. 

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinners around comforting and funky meals, traditional favourites take on a new twist such as matured rump served with deep-fried Camembert and red-pepper sauce or bobatie spring roll, which is always a bestseller. 

Sunday buffets buzz with hungry palates and coupled with good service, fantastic views and great wine selections, Kuzuri is the place to be for an all round good dining experience.

 

 

Boardwalk		The two rivers create spectacular waterfalls which give this Garden its visually spectacular character		Boardwalk

 

Lowveld National Botanical Garden
South African National Biodiversity Institute,
P.O.Box 1024, NELSPRUIT 1200, South Africa.
Nelspruit
Mpumalanga South Africa

Telephone: +27 (0)13 752 5531
Fax: +27 (0)13 752 6216
URL: www.sanbi.org
Primary Email: a.mamatsharaga@sanbi.org.za