Durban Botanic Gardens

The Durban Botanic Gardens was established in 1849, and is located next to the Greyville Race Course in the Berea, Durban. 

The Durban Botanic Gardens is a classic botanic garden, reflecting the universality of the plant kingdom. It has, for over 100 years, had a fine mixed arboretum of African, Asian and American trees. The Gardens are a few minutes’ walk from the bustling Warwick Triangle, site of one of the largest retail medicinal plant markets in the country. 

The Durban Botanical Garden hosts approximately 500 000 visitors per year, many of whom are foreign tourists. Popular attractions include picnic spots, an orchid collection, cycad collection (including the unique Wood's cycad), sub-tropical trees, palms and a tea garden.

Theme tours of the Gardens are conducted by volunteer guides by prior arrangement. Themes include: birds, history of the Durban Botanic Gardens, lake life, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms, plants of the Bible, roots, and general tour, mini beats and art. 

Africa Deluxe Tours can arrange a general guided tour of the Gardens; it is also included in many of our tour itineraries.

By Danie de Villiers - Freelance Writer

Durban as holiday destination

Bustling Durban is the hub of Kwazulu-Natal’s  business and industry and pulses with all the energy of a major port city. Luxury hotels abound on Durban’s beachfront, and this city is often referred to as South Africa’s Miami Beach.

Durban is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world. Its port is the busiest in South Africa and also one of the 10 largest in the world.

Durban is blessed with balmy weather all year round, making it a perfect holiday paradise. The beachfront is bordered by five star hotels and luxury apartments, all of which have an idyllic view of the Indian Ocean.

The Central Business District, a hive of activity, is within easy reach of all hotels and convention venues. If however, you wish to travel further afield, there is a very competent public transport system running throughout Durban, as well as an abundance of taxis. Durban is a major gateway to Africa and is also the largest and busiest port city on the continent. Due to this, there is an extensive road network leading to and from any destination in South Africa.

Durban is a sporting paradise. The sunny climate combined with a wealth of facilities makes for a year round sporting extravaganza. Water sports such as surfing, body boarding, sailing and scuba diving are obvious favourites given Durban's proximity to the warm Indian Ocean.

Accommodation in Durban itself is conveniently concentrated along the beachfront or Golden Mile, close to the Durban central business district.  Slick, high rise Durban hotels with sea views and swimming pools proliferate along this lively strip. Another area that’s close to the beachfront and CBD with more hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and affordable self-catering apartments and villas are the leafy suburbs of Berea and Morningside, well endowed with exceptional restaurants and shopping malls. It is highly advisable to book accommodation in advance during peak season (December and January) as scores of holiday makers descend upon all the beach locations in Durban. Durban North is also an extremely popular choice with holiday makers.

Engela de Villiers