Johannesburg Parks and Gardens

(Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa)

Johannesburg is far from being a concrete city. In fact, over 2,000 city parks and gardens currently serve Johannesburg's local community and its visitors.

What's more, the endless green spaces are filled with an astonishing six million trees. Especially impressive are the beautiful Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emerentia Dam, the history of which can be traced back to the late 19th century, with the establishment of the Braamfontein Farm.

Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emerentia Dam

Address: Johannesburg, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 011 782 0517
The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emerentia Dam covers a vast area of some 250 acres / 100 hectares. Although this jewel of a park regularly draws in vast crowds, it still manages to retain a real sense of peace and serenity. The dam is extremely popular with sailors and canoeists, whilst the surrounding grassland is used by walkers, joggers and picnicking families. In the botanical gardens, visitors can admire the wonderful summer displays of roses, herb gardens, ponds and fountains. There is also a Shakespearean garden, an impressive display of succulents and some 20,000 native trees. The gardens can be accessed from a variety of different locations, although the main entrance can be found on Olifants Road.
Open hours: daily, sunrise - sunset
Admission: free

Joubert Park

Address: King George Street / Klein Street, Johannesburg, South Africa, ZA
Joubert Park is the city's most historic park. Situated at the heart of the city's Hillbrow district, the park has an inner-city buzz. By way of contrast to the traditional park benches, lawns and a fountain, the park is surrounded by dozens of street sellers and busy city streets. The park is also the home of the Johannesburg Art Gallery.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

Address: Judith Road / DF Malan Drive, Johannesburg, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 011 788 7571
You wouldn't necessarily expect to find a nature reserve within the limits of a city as large as Johannesburg. So, for many visitors, Melville Koppies comes as a pleasant surprise. Whilst a relatively small green space, it's nevertheless possible to follow a two- or three-hour hiking trail and there's plenty of peace and quiet in which to enjoy a break from the urban hustle and bustle. The Melville Koppies Nature Reserve also contains a Stone Age camp, complete with ancient artefacts and an Iron Age furnace.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Delta Park

Address: Road No. 3 / 5, Victory Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 011 888 4831
Delta Park is one of Johannesburg's larger green spaces. Some 32 acres / 13 hectares of grass and woodland are available for visitors to explore via paved paths and hiking trails. The park is also home to the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Bezuidenhout Park

Address: Dewetshof, Johannesburg, South Africa, ZA
Established on the former Doornfontein Farm in the east of Johannesburg, the Bezuidenhout Park boasts plenty to keep adults and children amused. The old farmhouse survives, and there's a miniature train to take visitors on a tour around the park, as well as a pool and sports facilities.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Ernest Oppenheimer Park

Address: Mphuti Street, Central Western Jabavu, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, ZA
Tel: +27 011 712 6600
The centrepiece of the Ernest Oppenheimer Park is the Oppenheimer Tower, built in 1957. The bricks used to build the structure were taken from demolished houses in Sophiatown during the time of forced removals. As well as a large variety of native trees and plants, the park also contains an eclectic mix of buildings and structures, including the giant busts of the Zulu King, Shak and Tsonga Chief, Ngungunyani, and even a cluster of traditional thatched huts.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free