Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens

On the outskirts of Worcester, roughly 120 kilometres from Cape Town, The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden is the only garden for succulent plants (that store water in enlarged leaves, stems, or roots) in the southern hemisphere.

The gardens are 144 hectares in size, and have several kilometres of nature trails available to visitors, with a further 11 hectares set aside for cultivating land.

Like its Namaqualand counterpart (both fall within the succulent karoo biome), with spring, thousands of wildflowers come into bloom, including a profusion of the vygie - undoubtedly the most colourful of all succulent plants. The display lasts from the middle of August until the end of September.

There are roughly 400 naturally occurring succulant species within the garden, which protects and propagates over 300 rare and endangered species. As for birdlife, 70 recorded species inhabit the gardens, as well as a number of small mammals.

The Garden is open all year from 07:00 - 18:00 (the information centre and plant sales area are not though). Entrance to the Garden is free with the exception of the three flowering months, in which case weekend visitors incur a small fee.

Request a Quote |  Add to my wishlist