Best gardens and parks in Africa
Best gardens and parks in Africa
Exotic botanical collections and public gardens across Africa
Africa doesn't always come up in conversations about great gardens, but the continent has a longer horticultural history than most people realise. Botanical gardens established during the colonial period survive in several cities, some of them now among the oldest in the southern hemisphere. Alongside those, there are working spice farms, royal palace grounds, Islamic garden traditions and urban parks that locals have used for generations.
The range across the continent is wide. A garden in Marrakech looks nothing like one in Nairobi or Cape Town, and the plant life shifts dramatically as you move between climate zones. That variety is part of what makes African garden travel interesting, though it also means there's no single season or region that covers everything.
Some of the destinations here are well known and draw large numbers of visitors. Others are quieter, attached to cities that aren't primarily on the tourist circuit, and worth knowing about if you're already travelling through the region.
Lists by region
City in South Africa
Stellenbosch
Wine, Heritage and Mountain Views
The botanical garden of Stellenbosch University opened in 1902 and is among the oldest of its kind in South Africa. Its greenhouses hold rare succulents and desert plants including ancient welwitschia. Paths wind beneath tall trees and past a pond. It offers a quiet break from the wine estates nearby.
City in South Africa
Durban
Sunny beaches and rich culture
Durban Botanic Gardens opened in 1849 and is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Africa. Its orchid house and collection of cycads draw plant lovers. Paths wind past ponds and tall old trees. Visitors can enjoy tea on the lawn or a concert on Sunday afternoons.
Country
Mauritius
Tropical Bliss in the Indian Ocean
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden at Pamplemousses dates from 1770. Giant water lilies float in its ponds with leaves that can support a small child. Tall palms line the main avenue beside spice trees. Aldabra giant tortoises roam a fenced area near the entrance.
City in South Africa
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
The Company's Garden in Cape Town began in the 1600s as a vegetable garden for Dutch East India Company ships. Today it is a shady park in the middle of the city. Oak lined paths lead past a rose garden and museums. Friendly squirrels run across the lawns.
City in Kenya
Nairobi
Where urban life meets wild adventures
Nairobi National Park is a wildlife park at the edge of a major city. Visitors can see lions and rhinos with the skyline behind them. Its open grassland lies only about seven kilometres from the city centre. Many travellers visit on a short morning game drive before other plans.
Botanical Garden in Cape Town
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Nature’s Cape Floral Kingdom Showcase
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden was founded in 1913 on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It protects the rich plant life of the Cape including proteas and fynbos. A curved walkway called the Boomslang lifts visitors into the treetops. On summer evenings people bring picnics for concerts on the lawns.
Island in Tanzania
Zanzibar
Turquoise Waters and Spice Perfume
Jozani Forest on Zanzibar is a national park with mahogany trees and a boardwalk through mangroves. It shelters the red colobus monkey, which lives only on Zanzibar. Visitors can watch the monkeys leap between branches high above. Guides explain the plants and wildlife on short walks.
City in Morocco
Marrakech
A vibrant maze of colors and spices
Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech surrounds a cobalt blue villa with a lush garden of cacti and bamboo. The painter Jacques Majorelle began the garden in the 1920s. Yves Saint Laurent later bought and restored it. Bright pots and fountains stand out against the deep blue walls.
City in Morocco
Rabat
A Hidden Gem with Royal Flair
The Andalusian Gardens in Rabat sit within the walls of the Kasbah of the Udayas. Paths run between orange trees and beds of flowers. Blue and white walls frame the view over the river and the sea. Visitors can rest under palms and sip mint tea in the old cafe.
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