Durban Botanic Gardens

The Durban Botanic Gardens is the city's oldest public institution and is described as the oldest surviving botanical garden in Africa. The first garden was laid out in December 1849 by Dr Charles Johnston, and it moved to its present site on the lower slopes of the Berea in 1851. Today it covers about 15 hectares of lawns, avenues and planted beds in Durban's warm subtropical climate, a short drive from the city centre and the beachfront.

The cycad collection is the main reason specialists come. Plants from South Africa and other parts of the world are arranged by geographical origin, and the garden's emblem is Wood's cycad, Encephalartos woodii, and the original specimens of this rare plant still grow here. Beyond the cycads, the gardens hold well over a thousand individual trees and several hundred palms, a fern dell with local and exotic species, and large plantings of bromeliads. The Ernest Thorp Orchid House, built in 1962 and named after a former curator, normally displays thousands of orchids, but at the time of writing the gardens said it was closed after flooding, so check before you go if orchids are your priority.

Entry is free, with donations welcomed at the Information Office or the box at the main gate, which makes this one of the easiest and cheapest outings in Durban. It suits families with small children, couples looking for a quiet walk, photographers and anyone who wants a break from the heat and traffic of the city. The gardens also host social events such as music performances, and an indigenous plant fair is held each September. Golf cart tours run during the day for visitors who prefer not to walk the whole site, and there is a tea garden for refreshments.

The gardens are open every day, including public holidays, from early morning until late afternoon, closing a little later in summer than in winter. Allow an hour or two for a relaxed loop, longer if you want to study the cycads or have a picnic on the lawns. Early morning is the coolest and quietest time, especially in the humid summer months between December and March. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water.

The entrance is on John Zikhali Road, on the edge of the Berea above Greyville. Parking is at the Visitors Complex, which has a car monitor and several marked disabled bays; most visitors arrive by car or ride-hailing app. Greyville Racecourse is close by, and the restaurants and cafes of Florida Road in Morningside are a short drive away for lunch afterwards.