Tourism Month special: SANBI offers unlimited access to SA’s national botanical gardens
SANBI's 'Passport to Nature' gives 25% off annual membership for unlimited access to stunning botanical gardens and zoological gardens across the country.
Image: Picture: Alice Notten, Kirstenbosch
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) has launched “Passport to Nature: Your Year of Discovery”, giving travellers 25% off its Individual Annual Membership. This offers unlimited entry to all 11 National Botanical Gardens and two Zoological Gardens nationwide.
South Africa’s botanical gardens are far more than pretty picnic spots. They form part of the country’s living heritage, protecting threatened plant species, showcasing indigenous flora, and offering a green sanctuary in bustling cities.
From the world-famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, to the birdwatcher’s paradise of Walter Sisulu in Johannesburg, and the succulent wonderland of the Karoo Desert Botanical Garden, each site tells a different story of the country’s biodiversity.
These are the 12 SANBI Botanical Gardens:
- Free State National Botanical Garden
- Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
- Hantam National Botanical Garden
- Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Kwelera National Botanical Garden
- KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden
- Lowveld National Botanical Garden
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden
- Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden
- Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
Members who sign up during September will receive a beautifully illustrated Passport to Nature, where each garden visit unlocks a stamp and a biodiversity fact.
Collect enough stamps and travellers can earn rewards ranging from tote bags and seed hampers to exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences.
SANBI’s Director of Marketing, Communication and Commercialisation, Nontsikelelo Mpulo, said the campaign highlights the connection between travel, wellbeing and heritage.
“Tourism Month is about discovering the hidden treasures of our country and how deeply nature is connected to our wellbeing.
With this Passport to Nature, South Africans can turn everyday outings into experiences that nurture both biodiversity and bonds.”
Beyond leisure, domestic travel plays a vital role in South Africa’s economy
Tourism experts note that trips to natural spaces not only support jobs, but also improve mental health and community cohesion.
Research published by the World Health Organization has shown that regular access to nature can reduce stress, boost mood, and strengthen social ties.
Whether it’s a family picnic, birdwatching in the Lowveld, or a quiet walk through the sensory gardens of Thohoyandou, SANBI hopes South Africans will use this passport to celebrate travel not just as entertainment, but as an investment in the country’s natural heritage.
IOL Travel