Pretoria Botanical Gardens

Birding in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden is done in a relaxed and safe atmosphere and up to 50 species of birds can be seen in a morning's birding.

The best way to observe the birdlife is to walk the undemanding trails that criss-cross the gardens. The garden consists of various habitats as for instance woodland, acacia thickets, lawns and a few small ponds. Some of the special species that can be seen here include Thick-billed Weaver (also nesting in the gardens), Fairy Flycatcher in the winter, Brown-backed Honeybird, Red-throated Wryneck, Orange-breasted Bush-shrike as well Crimson-breasted Shrike.

More common species include Cape Robin-Chat, Neddicky, Amethyst Sunbird, White-bellied Sunbird, Southern Boubou, Black-backed Puffback, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Karoo and Kurrichane Thrush.

On the lawns Crowned Lapwing is very common and can be seen in summer sitting on their nests. Blacksmith Lapwing and Spotted Thick-knee also occur here.

At the ponds Common Moorhen and Egyptian Goose can be seen as well as breeding bishops and weavers.

This is not a place known for raptors but sometimes Verreaux's Eagle and African Harrier-Hawk can be seen flying over the gardens.

Directions

GPS Co-ordinates
Lat: 25° 44' 24''S
Lon: 28° 16' 35''E

Take the R21 from Johannesburg to Pretoria and turn off onto the N1-North to Polokwane shortly before you reach Pretoria and then the Lynnwood/WNNR off-ramp. At the top of the off-ramp turn right and immediately after crossing over the highway turn left into Meiring Naude. Continue until you reach a T-junction with Cussonia. Turn left into Cussonia and you will find the entrance to the gardens immediately on your right.

Facilities

There are ablution facilities as well as a restaurant within the gardens. Another restaurant is accessible from the parking area of the gardens. Please note that on weekends the gardens host concerts – so it is best to go birding as soon as the gates open in the morning.

Additional Information

A bird checklist can be bought at the entrance.

Opening Times and Costs

The Garden is open 7 days a week from 08:00 to 18:00. No entry after 17:00. An entrance fee is payable. Botanical Society members have free entrance to the Garden.

Contact information

Tel: +27 (0)12 843 5172/3/4
E-mail: pretoriagarden@sanbi.org

For more information you can visit the garden's website at:
http://www.sanbi.org/frames/pretoriafram.htm