Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Welcome to an Eden hidden in the West Rand of Gauteng where beautiful nature welcomes visitors and the rushing water of the Witpoortjie Waterfall, gushing from a height of 70 metres, soothes and revitalises careworn city-dwellers. The garden is home to a pair of breeding Verreaux's Eagles (Black Eagles) which have become proud symbols of this majestic garden. Walking, hiking, picnics, exercising, bird watching, relaxing, nature appreciation, are some of the popular activities of visitors to the garden.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
626 reviews
Excellent
414
Very good
181
Average
23
Poor
2
Terrible
5
Carl H
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Couples
Lovely place and a proper Botanical Garden (loads of technical info). The restaurant was only open for coffee, tea and cake on the day I went, but on previous visits it's been decent diner food and nice service - and alcohol licensed like most food places in SA - I liked the ambience. This feels like a happy place and the stewards don't give people a hard time for bringing a picnic and sitting on the lawns. Good opportunities for watching wildlife and having a strenuous tramp if you want one, but quite suburban in terms of services.
If you're European, it might feel like a bit of a schlepp from central Jozee (hence only 4 stars), but I think it's worth the drive and Roodepoort and Krugersdorp are worth a look if you're not a local.
If you're European, it might feel like a bit of a schlepp from central Jozee (hence only 4 stars), but I think it's worth the drive and Roodepoort and Krugersdorp are worth a look if you're not a local.
Written 29 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JenniferC
Johannesburg, South Africa47 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Beautiful Botanical Gardens in Gauteng.
Well worth an outing.
Well maintained and reasonable pricing. Pensioners have free access on Tuesdays.
Restaurant available if you want to have a bite to eat, alternatively you can bring your own picnic with.
Safe space to do some proper walking, running, picnicking, communing with nature.
Clean toilets available near the entrance.
Safe, free parking.
Well worth an outing.
Well maintained and reasonable pricing. Pensioners have free access on Tuesdays.
Restaurant available if you want to have a bite to eat, alternatively you can bring your own picnic with.
Safe space to do some proper walking, running, picnicking, communing with nature.
Clean toilets available near the entrance.
Safe, free parking.
Written 14 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith
Blandford Forum, UK106 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
On holiday in South Africa and this came up on a Google search of things to do and I'm so glad we did. Never seen so many grasshoppers & ones so big! It's peaceful, well kept & just an overall beautiful place. Absolutely well worth the trip there
Written 27 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martie L
Boksburg, South Africa5 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Our senior church group visited the botanical gardens on a Tuesday, so there was no entrance fee (as we were all over 60). Besides the waterfall, there were so many 'off the road' paths that we could follow to see all the lovely trees and plants. There were plenty of wooden benched where a person could rest and we ended the day by having a picnic on the grass. A most memorable day that was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris P
Shanghai, China6 025 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
Loved my visits here. Note that Pensioners are FREE on a Tuesday, which made for a bit of a queue to get in, but all processed very efficiently and speedily, with the necessary precautions in place.
Most people walk to the Waterfall and restaurant, but there is a lot more walking available, including a 3.5 km Geological Trail.
The Trail has a fairly steep ascent and descent, no matter which way you do it. Going up next to the waterfall seems popular. There are no real views of the waterfall on the way up, but great views of Sandton and towards Pretoria. It’s not so bad if you take it easy and rest when necessary. On the top, you walk quite close to the fence and suburb, but I never felt unsafe and there were other people on the trail. Take water and use suntan lotion on hot days.
My only negative comment, was that the map was not always that easy to follow and they could do with a few more signs and trail markers, especially in the outlying areas.
The workers are back, so the gardens are looking neater after the lockdown. There are still areas out of bounds for isolation purposes, as well as construction.
Look for the Verreaux (Black) Eagle nest at the waterfall and you may also see the pair flying around - a beautiful sight.
The restaurant in the Garden was also excellent and there may need to wait to be seated at peak periods. The food was yum.
Take time to wander and explore the gardens, so many interesting plants, birds and insects to see.
Staff were excellent and helpful and facilities good.
Most people walk to the Waterfall and restaurant, but there is a lot more walking available, including a 3.5 km Geological Trail.
The Trail has a fairly steep ascent and descent, no matter which way you do it. Going up next to the waterfall seems popular. There are no real views of the waterfall on the way up, but great views of Sandton and towards Pretoria. It’s not so bad if you take it easy and rest when necessary. On the top, you walk quite close to the fence and suburb, but I never felt unsafe and there were other people on the trail. Take water and use suntan lotion on hot days.
My only negative comment, was that the map was not always that easy to follow and they could do with a few more signs and trail markers, especially in the outlying areas.
The workers are back, so the gardens are looking neater after the lockdown. There are still areas out of bounds for isolation purposes, as well as construction.
Look for the Verreaux (Black) Eagle nest at the waterfall and you may also see the pair flying around - a beautiful sight.
The restaurant in the Garden was also excellent and there may need to wait to be seated at peak periods. The food was yum.
Take time to wander and explore the gardens, so many interesting plants, birds and insects to see.
Staff were excellent and helpful and facilities good.
Written 30 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HFourie
Krugersdorp, South Africa49 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
We hiked up and around the mountain. It’s a bit strenuous but worth the view! The kids could do it quite easily. I would recommend taking some water and snacks along to stop, and take some time out of the busy city life and enjoy the view.
We went at the end of winter; would absolutely do back in the summer when everything is green.
It’s a nice quick break into nature.
We went at the end of winter; would absolutely do back in the summer when everything is green.
It’s a nice quick break into nature.
Written 17 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer B
Dresden, Germany28 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
In the middle of the City of Nelspruit there is a tropical paradise called the botanical gardens. Raging waterfalls, exotic plants and rain forests. Hard to believe you’re 2 minutes from shopping centers. Really worth a visit.
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jpcheshire1615
Wilmslow, UK595 contributions
Feb 2020
We spent a very pleasant few hours in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens which give visitors the opportunity to see South African indigenous flora. It was good to focus on the natural beauty of South Africa in contrast with the musuems relating to the turbulent history of the area. The gardens would have been more colourful a couple of months earlier but there was still plenty to see, and the waterfall is magnificent in any season. We didn't manage to spot the eagles that nest there but there were lots of smaller birds to delight us. There is plenty of space for picnics, and there are longer trails for serious hiking, but we were happy just to wander round the paths and enjoy the plants and admire the scenery.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShantelleP
Johannesburg, South Africa46 contributions
Jan 2020
I visited the Walter Sisulu Botanical gardens in January 2020 and was absolutely stunned by how beautiful it was. I haven't been there in years and loved the gardens, flowers and birds. The waterfall was by far the main attraction and it was beautiful to sit there and and just watch the water and listen to the birds in the background. It was a Saturday and fairly busy but still such a wonderful place to recharge the soul.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stephusasa
Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa169 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
The gardens are lovely. The base is there with great information about geology, flor and fauna. However, when we visited in January 2020, the place was very untidy. The flower and plant beds were filled with weeds. The trails were overgrown. The toilets weren’t working near the visitor center. This is a national treasure and really needs a bit of tidying up and rejuvenation.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes alcohol is allowed. Sorry for late response
Written 4 January 2025
Hi...what are the entrance fees adult and kids...and kids at what age will the price differ.....
Well last one is,in term of rules I mean I'm there to take kids out,so for them to have something to play what should we bring(what about the ball specific) and do dey have a playing side facilities ??
Thanks
William
Written 20 October 2023
Generally, no, but see the Gardens' policy page for details (on sanbi org). I have seen people purchasing and consuming beer at the restaurant on-site but beyond that I have no other first-hand experience with alcohol as I have never brought my own to the Gardens.
Written 8 January 2023
Getaway46342942335
Johannesburg, South Africa
Hey ...where do I book if I wanna host an event
Written 22 November 2022
Getaway46342942335
Johannesburg, South Africa
Hey where can I book if I wanna host an event
Written 22 November 2022
Culture19345188228
Soweto, South Africa
Hi, Is alcohol allowed and is there braai places?
Written 16 October 2022
Alcohol is allowed. But no braai areas. Only picnicking allowed. Also, all rubbish you create you should pack out yourself. No rubbish bins within.
Written 31 October 2022
hi..which botenical gardens allows us to come with our picnic basket,alcohol and small speaker for music
Written 17 August 2022
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