National Gardens Week 2026 in South Africa: Dates, free entry & travel tips

International travellers: free entry during National Gardens Week 2026 is available only to South African citizens and residents.

South Africa’s extraordinary biodiversity takes centre stage during the National Gardens Week 2026, running from 09 – 15 March 2026. During this week, botanical and zoological gardens across the country are alive with activity, special events, guided walks, yoga sessions, and other outdoor wellness experiences - perfect for nature lovers and families.

South Africa is the third most biodiverse country in the world, home to over 95,000 known species and remarkable levels of endemism. The National Gardens Week celebrates this natural heritage while promoting conservation, education, and wellbeing.

Free entry dates

During the National Gardens Week, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) offers free entry exclusively to South African citizens and residents at most botanical and zoological gardens. 

Garden / Zoo	Province	Free Entry Dates	Notes
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden	Western Cape	09 – 13 March 2026	Flagship garden in Cape Town
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden	Western Cape	09 – 15 March 2026	Coastal fynbos garden
Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden	Western Cape	09 – 15 March 2026	Arid region flora
Hantam National Botanical Garden	Northern Cape	09 – 15 March 2026	Succulent-rich
Free State National Botanical Garden	Free State	09 – 15 March 2026	Central plateau plants
KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden	KwaZulu-Natal	09 – 15 March 2026	Subtropical flora
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden	Gauteng	09 – 13 March 2026	Famous waterfall and hiking trails
Pretoria National Botanical Garden	Gauteng	09 – 13 March 2026	Central Gauteng garden
Lowveld National Botanical Garden	Mpumalanga	09 – 15 March 2026	Rainforest and indigenous plants
Kwelera National Botanical Garden	Eastern Cape	09 – 15 March 2026	Coastal forest reserve
Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden	Limpopo	09 – 15 March 2026	Northern flora diversity
National Zoological Garden of South Africa	Pretoria	09 – 13 March free, 14 –15 March R26pp	Popular wildlife destination
Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre	Limpopo	09 – 15 March 2026	Conservation-focused centre

 Note for international visitors: Standard entrance fees still apply during the week.

The 2026 theme - “Your free passport to nature: celebrate, restore and protect all life” - encourages visitors to reconnect with nature through guided walks, yoga sessions, conservation education, and relaxed outdoor activities.

Important Travel Tip: Gardens Will Be Busy

Even though free access is limited to citizens and residents, visitors should expect higher crowds at popular gardens during the National Gardens Week 2026. The event attracts tens of thousands nationwide.

Expect:

• Busy parking areas and longer queues
• Packed picnic lawns and cafés
• Peak crowds on weekends and during free-entry weekdays when many locals take advantage of the offer

Tips for travellers:

• Arrive early in the morning
• Visit midweek for a calmer experience
• Pack a picnic to avoid restaurant queues
• Explore less busy regional gardens if possible

About SANBI and its Gardens

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) manages South Africa's network of 11 National Botanical Gardens and two National Zoological Gardens, protecting rare and endangered species while giving visitors a chance to experience the country’s unique biodiversity up close.

These gardens are living museums, research hubs, and conservation centres, offering hiking trails, exhibitions, birdwatching, picnic areas, and educational programs — making them ideal stops for travellers who want to combine sightseeing with immersive nature experiences.

Why travellers should add this to their itinerary

The National Gardens Week is a unique opportunity to see South Africa's gardens buzzing with life, community events, and conservation activities. Even if you’re not eligible for free entry, visiting during this period is rewarding - just plan ahead, expect crowds, and enjoy your “passport to nature.”

 

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Cape Town: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden ranked among Top 25 must-see gardens worldwide!

 The New York Times has unveiled its latest T25 series, a collection of "The 25 Gardens You Must See" worldwide, and Cape Town’s iconic Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has proudly secured the 9th spot. This prestigious list, curated by six expert horticulturists, highlights the most breathtaking and diverse gardens from 20 countries.
Tim Richardson, one of the experts involved in the selection, described Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden as, "maybe the most spectacular botanical garden in the world. It’s not really a botanical garden in a normal sense but more like a mountainside. You can’t do it all in one day — you do bits and then come back another day and do other bits. It’s really quite wild."

Nestled on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is celebrated as one of the world’s most stunning botanical gardens. Established in 1913, it was the first botanical garden focused solely on preserving a nation’s indigenous flora. Spanning over 528 hectares, the garden is home to more than 7,000 plant species, primarily South African natives, including the iconic fynbos vegetation.
Visitors can explore the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, affectionately known as the "Boomslang," which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The Botanical Society Conservatory showcases plants from South Africa’s varied biomes, such as the Karoo, savanna, and fynbos. Additionally, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden serves as a gateway to several hiking trails, including the popular Skeleton Gorge route leading up to Table Mountain.
Beyond its horticultural allure, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a vibrant cultural hub, hosting open-air concerts and art exhibitions, especially during the summer months. Managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the garden remains a vital center for conservation, education, and botanical research.

Explore South Africa’s Botanical Gardens for free during the National Gardens Week 2025!

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is inviting everyone to celebrate the beauty and importance of South Africa’s botanical and zoological gardens during the annual National Gardens Week, taking place from 10 - 16 March 2025. During this special week, free access is granted to all visitors at SANBI’s 11 botanical gardens and one zoological garden across the country.
South Africa is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, ranking third globally and home to over 95,000 known species, many of which are found nowhere else.
The theme of the National Gardens Week 2025, "Grow Your Joy", encourages people to connect with nature in ways that uplift the spirit. Whether it’s a peaceful walk among stunning landscapes, mindful moments in nature, or enjoying time with family and friends, the week is all about wellbeing, relaxation, and community.

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) manages a total of 11 botanical gardens and one zoological garden in South Africa:

Botanical Gardens:

1. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Western Cape)
2. Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden (Western Cape)
3. Harold Porter National Botanical Garden (Western Cape)
4. Kwelera National Botanical Garden (Eastern Cape)
5. Free State National Botanical Garden (Free State)
6. KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden (KwaZulu-Natal)
7. Lowveld National Botanical Garden (Mpumalanga)
8. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (Gauteng)
9. Pretoria National Botanical Garden (Gauteng)
10. Hantam National Botanical Garden (Northern Cape)
11. Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden (Limpopo)

Zoological Garden:

1. National Zoological Garden (Pretoria, Gauteng)

Mbombela: A new restaurant opens in the Lowveld National Botanical Garden!

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which manages South Africa's National Botanical and Zoological Gardens, has announced that a restaurant has been opened in the Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Mbombela on 03 August 2023. The Botanical Garden Restaurant Mbombela is a fully licensed restaurant that offers a top-tier a la carte menu. It is open daily from 11:00 - 21:00. 

The Lowveld National Botanical Garden is located just outside Mbombela at the confluence of the Crocodile River and Nels River. The Botanical Garden covers 160ha and is home to about 600 native and 2,000 imported plant species as well as almost 650 native tree species.

Pretoria (Tshwane): The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is going cashless!

The Pretoria National Botanical Garden, located in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria, has announced that it is migrating to a card only payment system, phasing out cash payments. Cash will still be accepted, but the management of the National Botanical Gardens encourages visitors to make the switch to cashless as card payments are considered safer for visitors and staff.

The Pretoria National Botanical Garden in Pretoria is one of South Africa's thirteen National Botanical and Zoological Gardens managed by the the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is situated in 2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria, Pretoria. It has a total size of 76 hectares, of which 50 hectares are devoted to developed garden, using almost exclusively South African plants. All the flowering plant species to be seen, including 50% of the country’s tree species, make this garden a botanical tapestry.
Pretoria National Botanical Garden's operational hours are daily from 09:00 to 18:00 with no entry after 17:00. The entrance fees are R45/adult, R30/student and R15/scholar. Free entry is provided for children under the age of 6 years and for senior citizens (60 years +, Tuesdays only).

Cape Town: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden implements dual pricing!

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which manages South Africa's National Botanical and Zoological Gardens, has announced that Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town will implement dual pricing for non-South African and South African residents. According to SANBI, the introduction of the new pricing structure is due to the increased costs to the organisation and financial setbacks of 2020 due to Covid-19. 

From 01 April 2021, non-South African residents of 18 years and older will pay R200 for an entry ticket to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. South African Residents of 18 years and older (with ID) will pay R80, while students from a South African institute (with student card) will pay R45. The admission for scholars/learners will be R25. Children under six years are free of charge and South African residents over the age of 60 (with ID) are granted free entrance on Tuesdays except on public holidays.

South Africa's botanical gardens to reopen to the public!

South Africa's botanical gardens are allowed to reopen to the public from 03 August 2020*. However, the gardens will be open solely for the purpose of exercise, subject to health protocols. Daily access to the botanical gardens will be monitored and limited once the safe carrying capacity for the area has been reached. All visitors will be required to wear face masks, be temperature screened, and complete a tracing register.
No social gathering, picnics or public events will be allowed. Commercial facilities in the gardens, such as restaurants, have been allowed to open under alert level three of the South Africa's risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19, subject to prescribed regulations for the respective areas of business.

South Africa's botanical gardens are managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Each garden represents a variety of South Africa’s rich biodiversity.

South Africa's National Botanical and Zoological Gardens:

1. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, Western Cape
2. Hantam National Botanical Garden in Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape
3. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, Gauteng
4. Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens in Betty's Bay, Western Cape
5. Free State National Botanical Garden in Bloemfontein, Free State
6. Pretoria National Botanical Gardens in Pretoria, Gauteng
7. Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester, Western Cape
8. KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
9. Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Mbombela, Mpumalanga
10. National Zoological Gardens of South Africa in Pretoria, Gauteng
11. Kwelera National Botanical Garden in East London, Eastern Cape
12. Thohoyandou Botanical Garden in Thohoyandou, Limpopo
13. Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre in Mokopane, Limpopo
    

*Permission for access for exercise purposes only was published in the Amended Directions for the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries in Government Gazette 43564 (Notice No. 822) on 28 July 2020.