Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens
Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens
Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens
4.5
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- IndySigIndianapolis, Indiana4,119 contributionsNice Gardens and Shop.I think we picked the windiest day of the year for a visit. It was still a beautiful place and we walked several of the trails and saw several new species of birds we had not seen before. The gift shop is nice and the restrooms are quite clean. I’m not sure why they make it so difficult to get into the parking lot. They need to revisit this issue. All in all a great morning.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 8, 2023
- B_rammahnetLakeside, United Kingdom66 contributionsStunningWe loved our visit to the botanical gardens and also the walking route to leopards leap. It's a hidden gem and is only About a 45 minute walk. So peaceful and calming. Take a book and maybe a picnic.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 17, 2024
- Andrew Oliver-MorleyLondon, United Kingdom602 contributionsA peaceful wanderAbsolutely loved this place . It was so quiet and peaceful just wandering around gazing at the spectacular majestic mountain range. The gardens are beautifully kept and the team in the cafe were lovely. Definitely worth the drive from Cape Town.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 31, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
386 reviews
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243
Very good
115
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20
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4
Terrible
4
Bobdbl
Wetherby, UK344 contributions
Dec 2019
The flora had been damaged by a fire some time before our visit, and they were re-planting and recovering. Even so, the main walk is generally level and easy access. The descriptions of the plants, on small notices near the plants are very informative. There was a notice at the entrance asking for keys to be returned before a certain time, and we did not ask what this was about. We then discovered a locked gate at the end of the gardens, blocking access to the watefall etc. Now we know what the keys were for.
The tea room was not operating, but a temporary table had been set up to sell drinks and snacks. Another couple bought bottles of soft drink, but the staff did not have a bottle opener. My Swiss Army knofe came in to use.
Recommended for an houyr or two of gentle relaxation, or longer for keen horticulturalists.
The tea room was not operating, but a temporary table had been set up to sell drinks and snacks. Another couple bought bottles of soft drink, but the staff did not have a bottle opener. My Swiss Army knofe came in to use.
Recommended for an houyr or two of gentle relaxation, or longer for keen horticulturalists.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KimL79
Cape Town Central, South Africa23 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Small but beautiful gardens with access to the most glorious hikes into the mountain. We chased two waterfalls and really had a serene time.
Saying that the baboons were a very big problem. We couldn't eat lunch because they were chasing anyone with food, sitting on the roof and screaming, and we needed to divert our hike twice in order to avoid them. Apparently as woman, its a good idea to lower your voice to a gruffer tone and raise your hands to make you appear larger. Its actually very scary to be around a whole troop of them. Cute from a distance, nervy close up.
Its a complex issue, essentially we are in their habitat, and who wouldn't prefer a tasty orange to a seed, but equally I wish there had been better signage and warnings, including how to manage interactions for the best of both groups.
Saying that the baboons were a very big problem. We couldn't eat lunch because they were chasing anyone with food, sitting on the roof and screaming, and we needed to divert our hike twice in order to avoid them. Apparently as woman, its a good idea to lower your voice to a gruffer tone and raise your hands to make you appear larger. Its actually very scary to be around a whole troop of them. Cute from a distance, nervy close up.
Its a complex issue, essentially we are in their habitat, and who wouldn't prefer a tasty orange to a seed, but equally I wish there had been better signage and warnings, including how to manage interactions for the best of both groups.
Written May 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon G
Cape Town Central, South Africa104 contributions
Sep 2022
A spring visit to this off-the-beaten-track botanical garden was worth the drive out from the metropolis of Cape Town. This garden is situated in a quiet coastal town 100km from the City. The garden is beautifully maintained and makes a quiet haven for a picnic, or just to sit and take in the sights and sounds of nature. If you are feeling energetic, there are various paths and trails you can walk within the gardens or into the surrounding kloofs: some easy, others requiring a good level of fitness. Check at the entrance gate as some trails require you to obtain a permit.
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen V
United Kingdom12 contributions
Feb 2020
Try the leopards waterfall walk. Great for people that can’t cope with some of the much harder walks in the area. Steep in places, but anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness should be fine. Get there before 11.00am as you need a gate key which you pay a deposit for that is refunded when you return it.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stuffmatters
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia893 contributions
Oct 2022
One of the best Botanic gardens we have visited. Beautifully located in a valley below the Cape cliffs it can be easily visited in 30/45 minutes. It offers an excellent introduction to all the various soil/ geology environments with a riotous displays of indigenous plants. Explanation boards are excellent ensuring visitors of all ages will leave wiser. Strongly recommended.
Written October 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flyingdutchdude
New Zealand185 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
We visited the gardens to do parkrun on Saturday morning, and we took the opportunity to have a wander around afterwards.
The terrain is very varied. The Garden consists of 10 hectares of cultivated gardens and 190.5 hectares of pristine natural fynbos.
The grounds are very well maintained, and the information boards add useful context to what you see. I recommended walking up to the waterfall - it is very picturesque.
A small gift shop is on site - it has good variety for a small space.
The terrain is very varied. The Garden consists of 10 hectares of cultivated gardens and 190.5 hectares of pristine natural fynbos.
The grounds are very well maintained, and the information boards add useful context to what you see. I recommended walking up to the waterfall - it is very picturesque.
A small gift shop is on site - it has good variety for a small space.
Written November 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
calidris1
Mount Holly, VT182 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Wonderful gardens, well designed and maintained. Well worth a visit (1-2 hrs) to see special plants and regional ecosystems. Very relaxing, easy walk around, many benches, spectacular scenery of mountains. Wish there were more specimen identification signs but information plaques are very interesting. Betty's Bay is a terrific, small town and includes Stoney Point penguin colony nearby. Check their open hours carefully to plan your visit.
Written February 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shauns2111
South Africa1,152 contributions
Aug 2021
One of those bucket list places to do one day. Well, did it and want to go back again.
A beautiful trip along the coast to Hermanus from Cape Town and decided to stop here as I had time.
R35 to get in and worth it.
Well laid out and scenic. I ended up ambling around and ended on the trail through the fynbos and over the dam wall.
A small coffee shop allows you to get refreshments and a snack.
The gardens are well sign posted and numerous plants are name tagged.
Personal opinion. Expect to visit or a while. A quick stop does not do it justice. I was there for 2 hours and needed more.
Felt safe throughout my visit.
A beautiful trip along the coast to Hermanus from Cape Town and decided to stop here as I had time.
R35 to get in and worth it.
Well laid out and scenic. I ended up ambling around and ended on the trail through the fynbos and over the dam wall.
A small coffee shop allows you to get refreshments and a snack.
The gardens are well sign posted and numerous plants are name tagged.
Personal opinion. Expect to visit or a while. A quick stop does not do it justice. I was there for 2 hours and needed more.
Felt safe throughout my visit.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IndySig
Indianapolis, IN4,119 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
I think we picked the windiest day of the year for a visit. It was still a beautiful place and we walked several of the trails and saw several new species of birds we had not seen before. The gift shop is nice and the restrooms are quite clean.
I’m not sure why they make it so difficult to get into the parking lot. They need to revisit this issue. All in all a great morning.
I’m not sure why they make it so difficult to get into the parking lot. They need to revisit this issue. All in all a great morning.
Written December 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Captain C
Cape Town, South Africa303 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Amazing Special Place. I have done a few Park Runs here on a Saturday and this must be one of the best places. To be in the mountains and fynbos is very special. A lot of effort has gone into sorting out the gardens, they are all well sign posted, pathways are well maintained, the book shop is manned by volunteers and well run. They just need to sort out the coffee shop. Highly recommend for a visit and walk in a very safe environment
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we are travelling in the area in a few weeks - are you able to access Leopards Kloof trail?
Written July 22, 2019
We were able to walk part of the way along what I think was the start of the trail before there was a badly fire damaged bridge. At that point there was a temporary crossing over the stream and we walked a bit further towards the waterfall before deciding there was not enough of a trail for 2 elderly people. So I'm sorry I cant completely answer your question - part of the area was certainly inaccessible but I cant say if it was possible to get there along the route we abandoned.
Written July 23, 2019
Hi Seeboo, there is sufficient water taps in the garden plus you can buy bottled water at the restaurant. As the others say why risk illness? Enjoy your visit.
Written August 5, 2015
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