Free State National Botanical Gardens

Located on the outskirts of Bloemfontein, these botanical gardens cover 70 hectares of land, and are home to about 400 species of plants, including a number of trees indigenous to the area.

The gardens also protect a variety of wildlife, including 124 recorded bird species and almost 50 mammal species.

In the north-east section, the dam (built by British troops during the Anglo-Boer war) is tucked in loosely at the foot of some rocky kopjes and is home to a number of water bird species. Walking through the garden, visitors can climb these hills, which offer a lovely view of the gardens set against the dam.

The majority of plants are in full bloom from November to March. From March to June, however, the autumn shades of yellow and red take hold and blanket the landscape.

The garden is open all year round a year between the hours of 08:00 - 18:00. There is a small entrance fee, which varies depending on age and student status.

For those wanting to take a piece of the botanical action home, Indigenous plants are on sale everyday save for Sundays.

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