The Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden is one of the eleven National Botanical Gardens managed by SANBI. It is the first national botanical garden to be established in the Limpopo Province. The Thohoyandou Botanical Garden was first established in 1986 by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry by the then-Venda government.
In 2005, it was transferred to the provincial Department of Tourism which later became the Limpopo department of Economic Development Environment and Tourism (LEDET). The Garden was, in 2017, transferred to SANBI operating under the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and was declared as a National Botanical Garden on 5 November 2021. The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy officially opened the garden on International Day of Biological Diversity in May 2022.
The Garden is currently undergoing major infrastructure upgrades which include a new parking area, an environmental education centre and an event hall. There are four guest houses on site offering self-catering accommodation for families, students and researchers.
The Garden is rich in biodiversity of trees and mainly characterised by Acacia and Ficus species that occur naturally in the garden.
How to enjoy the garden
- Appreciate the tranquility away from the noise of the city.
- Look at the beautiful surroundings.
- Take pride in South Africa’s indigenous plants and animals.
- Learn about different plants while exploring the Garden.
- Ensure that you wear the correct footwear.
- Enjoy a picnic on the Garden’s lawns.
- Take only photographs and leave only footprints.
- Note our “Carry-In, Carry-Out” litter policy. Please take home everything that you have brought in.
- The Garden serves as an important conservation area. It is for these reasons that we do allow the following into the Garden: bats, balls, bicycles, tricycles, kites, frisbees, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, fires, gas braais, dogs/ cats (excluding service dogs), musical instruments and radios/CD players.
- Note: Music is only allowed during booked events such as weddings and concerts
Garden features
The Garden comprises of a rich biodiversity of plants from the Soutpansberg region and falls under the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. The Garden offers various activities such as:
- Environmental education
- Exploration of indigenous flora and fauna
- Hiking trail
- Marquee area
- Bird watching
- Picnic area
- Family braai area: very popular over weekends. Bring along your own refreshments.
- Garden weddings
- Garden and private events such as birthday parties, baby showers and picnics.
So much to see
A self-guided hiking trail route introduces visitors to a diversity of Soutpansberg mountain range plant species and quiet, peaceful bird watching.