Free State Botanical Gardens

About Free State Botanical Gardens

The Free State Botanical Gardens are situated on the northern outskirts of Bloemfontein. The botanical garden is home to 400 species of plants, two dams, and an indigenous Karee and wild olive dominated vegetation.

There are specialised gardens including the water-wise garden, the medicinal garden, the succulent garden and the bird garden. Around 124 species of bird life and 54 species of reptiles have been recorded to inhabit the garden.

There is a circular hiking trail which takes you through the cultivated areas and up on to the koppies overlooking the gardens. The botanical garden will also be of interest to those who love history. The curator's house was built by Italian prisoners of World War II, the old stone walls were built by British troops during the South African war, and the prehistoric pottery relics found in the area are on show in the education centre.