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Durban Botanic Gardens
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Categories: roadside attraction;

This park-like garden of 50 ha lies at the base of the Berea between St Thomas and Sydenham Roads and can be entered from either of these roads. Worthy of mention is the peace and beauty of these gardens with sunny lawns, huge trees creating coolness, shade and atmosphere, colourful plants and trees from around the world. Additional to this is the small lake fringed with interesting plants such as Papyrus, the Ornamental Banana, Raffia palms and other trees.

The lake forms a suitable habitat for many bird species such as Pink-backed Pelican, Grey and Black-headed Heron, Cattle Egret, Sacred and Hadeda Ibis, African Spoonbill, Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged Goose and Common Moorhen and a host of less common species. The pelican roost is significant because this is the most southerly recorded breeding site of this species. African Palm-Swift, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Southern Black and African Paradise-Flycatcher are to be seen catching insects around the open lawns.

There are two small islands in the lake. On the smaller island in the lake is an acacia or Fever tree Acacia xanthophloea which has provided a breeding ground for Sacred Ibis and Village Weavers. The larger island has a large swamp fig Ficus trichopoda, where various birds roost at night. Numerous bird species breed on and around the lake such as Grey Heron, Cattle Egret, Black Crake, Kurrichane Thrush and Cape Wagtail. In the lotus plants growing in the lake, Lesser Swamp-Warbler, Thick-billed Weaver, and Southern Red Bishop breed. This habitat also lends itself to easy bird photography.

Occasionally a troop of Vervet Monkeys raid the gardens for fruit on the trees and the rare visit of a Water Mongoose or Lesser Spotted Genet to the lake are the only animals found here. There is also a wide variety of bats that occur in the garden. During a congress for Arachnology, a new species of daddy long-legs or Pholcid spider was discovered in the garden.

Specials to look out for are Pink-backed Pelican, Grey and Black-headed Heron, Cattle Egret, Sacred Ibis, African Spoonbill, African Palm-Swift, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Southern Black and African Paradise-Flycatcher, Kurrichane Thrush and Cape Wagtail.

Directions

From Umhlanga side of Durban on the M4 South, take Argyle Road exit, turn right into Argyle Road. After several blocks, turn left into Cowey Road. Travel for about 1 km, then turn left down Sydenham Road. A short way down at a traffic island, follow the signs to the right to the Visitors' Centre.

From the Durban International Airport side of Durban, follow the M4 north until the Moore Road exit. Travel up Moore Road, through 4 sets of traffic lights. Turn right into Cleaver Road, which becomes Botanic Gardens Road and then Edith Benson Crescent. After passing 3 sets of traffic lights, turn right at the 4th set into Sydenham Road. A short way down at a traffic island, follow the signs to the right to the Visitors' Centre.

GPS Coordinates (decimals)
Lat: 29°50.89' S
Lon: 31°00.53' E

Additional Info

The main access is clearly signposted on Sydenham Road, with access to a large protected car park next to the Visitors' Centre. At the Visitors' Centre, there is a curio shop, information booth, education centre and public toilets. Further in to the gardens there is a tea garden within 100 metres of the Sydenham Road gate. The Ernest Thorp Orchid House is a small colourful centre where orchids are displayed in profusion and various species can be photographed. Other features within the garden include a Garden of Senses, a Sunken Garden and a number of sculptures. The gardens also contain a section of indigenous trees and plants, a cycad collection and a fern garden.

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