South Africa’s botanical gardens are putting on their spring show and there’s no better time to explore than right now.
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As soon as the first warm days arrive, the gardens come alive with colour and birdsong. Whether you’re flower fanatic, photography enthusiast or just love a good walk, these gardens offer something unforgettable. Here’s where to go while the colours are still popping.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Best time to visit: Mid-August to mid-October
Tucked up against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is where spring struts its stuff like it’s got something to prove. This is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, and spring might just be its finest season.
Expect to see:
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Namaqualand daisies exploding in colour across the beds—orange, yellow, pink, purple, you name it.
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Wild bulbs like freesias, ixias, babianas, and lachenalias lighting up lawns and borders.
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Pincushion proteas flaunting fiery reds and oranges, while the majestic King Protea holds court like the celebrity it is.
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And let’s not forget the cheeky sunbirds darting between blooms, showing off their shiny feathers.
Vibe: Think Sunday morning serenity with a burst of rainbow-coloured joy. Bring a blanket and linger a while.
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Hantam National Botanical Garden (Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape)
Best time to visit: August to mid-October
If Kirstenbosch is the classic showstopper, Hantam is the wild, windswept cousin who throws the best parties when the rain has been kind. Located on the Bokkeveld Plateau, this is where wildflower season truly feels wild.
What’s blooming:
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Bulbinella latifolia with its torch-like red spikes.
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Dainty and dramatic Romulea species.
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Masses of Sparaxis, Geissorhiza, Gladiolus, and Nemesia, painting the veld with soft pastels and vibrant jewel tones.
Vibe: It’s remote, raw and utterly breathtaking. If you’re a flower-lover, it’s a pilgrimage. If you’re not, after this, you might be.
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Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (Roodepoort, Gauteng)
Best time to visit: September to November
Tucked into the highveld landscape with a waterfall as its crown jewel, Walter Sisulu feels like a secret you wish more people knew. It’s quietly spectacular in Spring.
Blooms to look out for:
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Coral trees (Erythrina lysistemon) igniting the garden in red fireworks.
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Wild pear trees bursting into elegant white before their leaves emerge.
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Bush lilies (Clivia miniata) glowing in orange clusters under the shade.
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The breathtaking blood lily (Scadoxus puniceus) with its dramatic spherical blooms.
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A lovely scatter of indigenous wildflowers as the season warms.
Vibe: Peaceful and grounding. Ideal for a slow wander, maybe with a flask of tea and a bird book.
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Free State National Botanical Garden (Bloemfontein, Free State)
Best time to visit: September to November
Not as famous as its coastal cousins, this garden is a bit of an underdog—but one that shines in spring.
Here’s what’s blooming:
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Erythrina zeyheri (a.k.a. the Harrow-breaker), putting on a show with scarlet blooms.
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Clivias, in both bold orange and rarer yellow shades, tucked beneath the trees.
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The Orange River lily (Crinum bulbispermum), a real provincial gem.
Vibe: A laid-back, family-friendly garden with space to roam and a sense of seasonal renewal in the air.
Not all beauty lasts, but that’s what makes it special. These spring flowers come and go in a whisper, and once they’ve gone, the wait begins again. So take a moment this season to walk among the blooms. You won’t regret it.
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