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The evergreen botanical gardens
Lowveld Botanical Gardens
The botanical garden's African Rainforest walkway.
© South African National Biodiversity Institute
Did you know?
The entire botanical garden has been designed for wheelchair access.
There is many an incentive for you to include the Lowveld National Botanical Garden 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.
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.
Watch the Crocodile River as it hustles through the Lowveld National Botanical Garden together with its sister, the Nels River which descends into a waterfall in the west of the gardens. The suspension bridge provides a fantastic vantage point over the falls.
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 African Rainforest, the main reason these gardens are known as the 'evergreen botanical gardens'.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Lowveld National Botanical Gardens
Tel: +27 (0)13 752 5531
Email: LNBGinfo@sanbi.org.za
How to get here
The Lowveld National Botanical Gardens are situated off White River Road in Mbombela. The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport is a shirt drive away.
Around the area
South Africa's largest national park, the Kruger National Park, is a must-visit and is nearby.
Tours to do
Guided tours through the garden must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
What will it cost
Entrance fee is approx. R20 per adult, R10 for students and R7 for children and senior citizens.