Free State National Botanical Garden
Date: Fri, 01 May 2026
Venue: Free State National Botanical Garden, Bloemfontein, Freestate
This garden, on the outskirts of Bloemfontein, spans a valley between picturesque dolerite koppies. The natural vegetation comprises tall grassland and woodland, dominated by magnificent wild olive and karee trees. The harmony of the Garden has been achieved by retaining and highlighting the best elements of the natural landscape. The Garden covers 70 hectares, and is home to about 400 species of plants, mainly from the Free State, Northern Cape and Lesotho. It also includes a collection of decorative and hardy trees indigenous to the area. Lion’s ear or wild dagga (Leonotis leonurus), red-hot pokers (Kniphofia) and the dwarf coral tree (Erythrina zeyheri) provide touches of colour against a restful woodland backdrop. A series of vistas lead one through the Garden to the wooded koppies, up on to the rocky outcrops, which overlook the Garden, and back down to the dam, the bird hide and the lawns. From November to March, most of the plants in the Garden are in full leaf and from March to June the colourful autumn shades of yellow and red dominate. The natural areas of the Garden are a haven for wildlife, including 144 bird species, 54 reptile species and about 32 mammal species.
Tickets
- Ticket: Market Adult — ZAR 45.00
- Ticket: Market Children (6 - 17 years) — ZAR 25.00
- Ticket Free: Market <6 years — ZAR 0.00
- Ticket: Adult - Peak (September to March) — ZAR 65.00
- Ticket: SA Pensioner - Peak (September - March) — ZAR 65.00
- Ticket: Student - Peak (September to March) — ZAR 55.00
- Ticket: Children (6 - 17 years) — ZAR 30.00
- Ticket Free: SA Pensioner: Free on Wednesdays — ZAR 0.00
- Ticket Free: Children <6 years — ZAR 0.00
- Ticket Free: BOTSOC life members and guests — ZAR 0.00
- Ticket Free: SANBI member (excluding special events) — ZAR 0.00
- Ticket Free: SANBI Staff member — ZAR 0.00
- SANBI Staff member — ZAR 0.00
- Ticket Free: SANBI Staff Guest (Max 5) — ZAR 0.00
- Ticket Free: Pre-approved School Groups — ZAR 0.00
- Ticket Free: Restaurant after hours customers — ZAR 0.00
- Prepaid: Functions Prebooked — ZAR 0.00
- Prepaid: Biodiversity Talk Entrance — ZAR 0.00
- Filming: Production and Films — ZAR 1500.00
- General: Pallets — ZAR 65.00
- General: Electricity Connection — ZAR 400.00
- General: Sport in the garden — ZAR 1000.00
- SANBI Membership Adult — ZAR 500.00
- SANBI Membership Scholar (6-17 years) — ZAR 250.00
- SANBI Membership Student — ZAR 375.00
- SANBI Senior Citizen — ZAR 375.00
- Free State Couple Package — ZAR 800.00
- Free State Family Package 1 — ZAR 1000.00
- Free State Family Package 2 — ZAR 1000.00
- Books: Tree Route — ZAR 20.00
- Books: Garden Map — ZAR 0.00
- Ticket Free: National Gardens week — ZAR 0.00
Book tickets for Free State National Botanical Garden on SANBI.