The South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) has launched its #WeAreSanbi social media campaign for Tourism Month, showcasing its national botanical and zoological gardens and the people behind them.
Source: Sanbi
The campaign launched on 1 September with a video featuring the gardens, followed by individual garden videos published every weekday until 18 September. The content will highlight the gardens’ landscapes, tourism experiences, conservation work and links with surrounding communities.
Sanbi manages 11 national botanical gardens and two zoological gardens across South Africa, offering visitors a range of experiences including walking trails, birdwatching, guided walks, environmental education activities, restaurants, events and family-friendly spaces.
The campaign comes as domestic tourism remains an important part of South Africa’s tourism economy. According to Statistics South Africa, tourism generated R361.7bn, or 4.9% of GDP, in 2024, while domestic visitors accounted for 85% of internal tourism expenditure.
“Tourism Month is an invitation for South Africans to rediscover the extraordinary places within their own country,” said Shonisani Munzhedzi, chief executive officer of Sanbi. “Our gardens offer welcoming and affordable ways for people to experience biodiversity, spend meaningful time together and appreciate why these natural spaces must be protected for future generations.”
Showcasing South Africa’s gardens
The #WeAreSanbi videos will feature garden managers sharing information about their respective destinations, including their landscapes, attractions and role in conservation, environmental education and community engagement.
“Every garden has its own landscape, history and relationship with its community,” said Nontsikelelo Mpulo, Sanbi’s senior manager: marketing, communication and commercialisation. “Through #WeAreSanbi, we want people to meet the individuals who care for these spaces, discover experiences they may not have known about and find a garden that gives them a reason to step outside, reconnect with nature and explore more of South Africa.”
The gardens differ considerably in their landscapes and visitor experiences.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town features indigenous flora, fynbos displays and the tree-canopy walkway, alongside concerts and exhibitions. Hantam National Botanical Garden near Nieuwoudtville is known for its seasonal wildflowers, while Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester showcases succulents from southern Africa’s arid and semi-arid regions.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden combines walking trails and birdlife with the 70-metre Witpoortjie Falls and its Verreaux’s Eagles. Lowveld National Botanical Garden is shaped by the Crocodile and Nels rivers, with cascades, forest areas and birdlife.
The Free State National Botanical Garden includes walking trails and water-wise planting, as well as traces of Iron Age Basotho history.
Options for local visitors
Across the gardens, visitors can take part in activities such as hiking, picnicking, birdwatching and guided walks. Some also offer environmental education programmes, plant sales, restaurants, events and family-oriented facilities.
Many of the gardens are located in or near major urban areas, making them options for day trips and shorter local outings.
Entry fees, operating hours, activities and event arrangements vary between gardens. Sanbi also offers annual membership, including national membership providing access across its botanical and zoological gardens, as well as regional options for visitors who regularly visit selected gardens.
Information about individual gardens, entrance fees, operating hours and annual membership is available here.
