Free State National Botanical Garden

Bloemfontein, South Africa, South Africa

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Free State National Botanical Garden is a national botanical garden on the outskirts of Bloemfontein in South Africa’s Free State province, set in a valley between rocky dolerite hills with natural grassland and woodland. Covering about 70 hectares, it conserves around 400 mainly indigenous plant species from the Free State, Northern Cape and Lesotho, with prominent wild olive and karee trees, and also supports rich fauna, including roughly 140 bird species plus numerous mammals and reptiles. Established in 1965, the garden combines relatively undeveloped natural areas with about 5 hectares of landscaped sections, a herbarium, a nursery for indigenous plants, lawns, a dam, walking trails and picnic spots, making it both a conservation site and a popular place for peaceful walks and family outings.