Lowveld National Botanical Garden

Mbombela, South Africa, South Africa

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Lowveld National Botanical Garden is a large subtropical national botanical garden just outside Mbombela (Nelspruit) in Mpumalanga, South Africa, laid out around the confluence of the Crocodile and Nels rivers, which form dramatic waterfalls within the site. Covering about 150–160 hectares (around 2 square kilometres), it combines roughly 25 hectares of cultivated garden with extensive natural riverine and forest vegetation, and grows more than 600 indigenous and about 2,000 introduced plant species, including Africa’s largest cycad collection, many South African fig trees, baobabs and a significant representation of tropical African rainforest species. Established in 1969 and officially opened in 1971, the garden plays a major role in conserving rare and endangered plants (including a cycad gene bank) while providing visitors with riverside trails, viewpoints over waterfalls such as the Cascades, a suspension bridge, picnic spots, and year‑round floral displays thanks to the region’s high rainfall and evergreen character.