Durban Botanic Gardens

Berea, Durban, South Africa, South Africa

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Durban Botanic Gardens is a 15‑hectare subtropical botanical garden in Berea, just west of central Durban, and is recognised as Africa’s oldest surviving botanic garden, established in 1849 as an agricultural trial garden for useful plants. Over time it has developed rich collections of subtropical trees, palms, cycads, ferns, bromeliads and an internationally known orchid house, along with a herb garden, a “Muti” garden of Zulu medicinal plants, a fern dell, a sunken garden, a lake and a living “beehive” structure planted with indigenous species. Today the garden functions as both a conservation and education centre and a popular public park, offering free entry, daily opening hours, shaded lawns for picnics, abundant birdlife, guided tours and frequent open‑air concerts that make it a key green refuge for Durban’s residents and visitors.