Lowveld National Botanical Garden
A riverside botanical garden with wild and landscaped areas in Mbombela, South Africa
Lowveld National Botanical Garden sits at the meeting point of two rivers just outside Mbombela, South Africa. Covering 165 hectares, it features both landscaped gardens and untouched bush, with a rich collection of native and exotic plants, including the country's largest group of cycads.
- Located where the Crocodile and Nels Rivers meet near Mbombela
- Home to South Africa's largest cycad collection
- Features over 2,600 plant species, including 650 native tree types
- Includes rainforest trails with clivias, fig trees, and baobabs
- Hippos live in the rivers that run through the garden
What is Lowveld National Botanical Garden?
This botanical garden covers a large area where the Crocodile and Nels Rivers meet. Visitors find a mix of designed landscapes and wild bush, with paths winding through both. The garden is home to over 2,600 plant species, including a major collection of cycads and nearly 650 native tree types. Trails lead through rainforest-like sections with clivias, fig trees, and baobabs. There are lookout points over a deep river gorge, and hippos can sometimes be seen in the rivers. Facilities include a medicinal plant section, a Braille garden, a nursery for local trees, and spaces for children and education.
The history of Lowveld National Botanical Garden
The garden was established in the late 1960s and opened to the public in 1971. It was set up on land near Mbombela, in the province of Mpumalanga, at the junction of two rivers. The site was chosen for its rich natural setting and variety of plant life. Over time, it has become one of South Africa's nine national botanical gardens, known for its focus on both conservation and education.
What there is to see
Of the 165 hectares, only about 30 are formally landscaped, with the rest left mostly in its natural state. The garden is planted with a wide range of native and introduced species, including a large cycad collection and many indigenous trees. There are themed areas such as the medicinal garden and Braille garden, and a nursery that grows local trees. Walkways and trails allow visitors to explore both the cultivated and wild parts of the garden.
When to go
The garden is open to visitors year-round. It serves as a place for plant conservation, education, and recreation. People come to walk the trails, learn about South African plants, and enjoy the river views. The garden also hosts an environmental education centre and has spaces for children to play. There are places to eat near both main entrances.
Parts and collections
Within the garden, visitors can see a wide variety of plant groups, from cycads to baobabs and clivias. The landscaped and wild areas offer different experiences, from formal beds to natural bush. Special sections like the medicinal and Braille gardens highlight unique uses and ways of experiencing plants.
Why Lowveld National Botanical Garden matters
Lowveld National Botanical Garden is important for plant conservation in South Africa, especially for cycads, which are rare and threatened. The garden acts as a living gene bank for these and other species. It also plays a role in environmental education and public awareness of native plants and ecosystems.
Questions people ask about Lowveld National Botanical Garden
Where is the Lowveld National Botanical Garden located?
The garden is just outside Mbombela in the province of Mpumalanga, South Africa, at the meeting point of the Crocodile and Nels Rivers.
What plants can I see at the garden?
You can see more than 2,600 species, including a large collection of cycads, almost 650 native tree species, and many other native and exotic plants.
What is special about this botanical garden?
It holds the country's largest cycad collection and acts as a gene bank for these rare plants. The garden also includes both landscaped and wild areas, with river views and rainforest trails.
Are there any animals in the garden?
Hippos live in the rivers that flow through the garden, and visitors may spot them from certain viewpoints.
When was the garden established?
The garden was established in 1969 and officially opened to the public in September 1971.
Good reading and sources
- Lowveld National Botanical Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lowveld National Botanical Garden", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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