27 December 2024: Night Run and Picnic Under The S...
Gather your family and friends for a fun-filled evening under the stars.
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
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In 1940, Harold Nixon Porter acquired an extensive tract of land from a Trust Agreement to develop a garden and private nature reserve in Betty’s Bay. He named the Garden Shangri-la, meaning ‘paradise’ and was officially opened as the Shangri-la Nature Reserve on the 13th of November 1955 by Professor Brian Rycroft, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Botanical Gardens.
After Harold Porter died in 1958, the reserve was left to the Shangri-la Nature Reserve Company. Finding it too difficult to manage from Johannesburg, the corporate committee offered it to the then National Botanical Gardens of SA, and it was renamed Harold Porter Botanical Garden in his honour.
In 1962 the Hangklip Beach Estates added to the garden property by giving it the adjoining area of Disa Kloof. Later, the then Betty’s Bay Village Management Board donated an additional piece of land that reaches the sea.
Collectively, the land incorporated into the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden now comprises 200.5ha, stretching from the top of the Kogelberg Mountain Range to the sea, encompassing a whole river system. Ten hectares have been cultivated as a garden while the remainder is managed as a natural reserve which is included in the core zone of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. The developed area forms part of its buffer zone.
A plaque sunk into a large sandstone boulder at one of Harold Porter’s favourite spots in the Garden marks where his ashes were scattered.
Each March (or April) the beautiful Nerine sarniensis lily blooms almost as if to celebrate the great conservationist’s life.
Harold Porter Botanical Garden’s open mountain slopes, streams, forests and cultivated garden, is a natural wonderland and home to an array of fauna and flora.
Contact Harold Porter Botanical Garden for a full species list.
Contact Harold Porter Botanical Garden for a full species list.
Harold Porter Botanical Garden has walks and hiking trails for the whole family.
The Cultivated Garden is comprised of a:
The Western Section of the garden has a magnificent view of the ocean. This secluded grassy area in the centre of the garden is surrounded by trees, making it the perfect outdoor venue for private functions. Fragrant summer-flowering plants and ponds add to the magical ambience.
The Southern Section of the garden comprises a circular 500m Ecosystems Walk close to the garden’s entrance.
Visitors can enjoy an overview of the four local ecosystems divided into Fynbos, wetlands, dunes, and a forest.
The Eastern Section of the garden showcases the Fynbos family including Proteaceae, Restionaceae and Ericaceae. These plants have been loosely grouped with geophytes and daisy variegations. This section is magnificent when the Proteas and Ericas are flowering.
The Disa Kloof Trail is a short easy trail totalling 950m, taking about half an hour each way.
It leads along the western side of the garden, over the Olive May Porter Bridge, and into a wooded area that is a haven for many bird species.
Boekenhout Bridge crosses the gulley where the path was washed away by heavy downpours, in April 2005. Observant visitors may still be able to see evidence of one of the soil slips which occurred at the time. All the regrowth on the slip is natural and has not been assisted.
Winding beneath the big trees growing alongside the water’s edge, the trail crosses the z-shaped Disa River Bridge and leads to a lovely waterfall. The dam created above the Bobbejaanskop Bridge weir provides beautiful reflections of the surrounding mountains and this is where, if you are lucky, you may see a pair of shy African black ducks.
The cliffs on the west side of the river provide a home for the Red Disa (Disa uniflora), the Western Cape Province’s floral emblem, which flowers from late December to late January.
Please Note:
The Fynbos and Zigzag Trails these trails are currently closed until further notice
The Fynbos and Zigzag Trails comprise one long and one short trail amongst the natural fynbos, overlooking the garden and the ocean.
These two trails traverse the southern slopes of Bobbejaanskop and The Plateau, providing magnificent views of Betty’s Bay and out over the sea.
The cultivated section of the Garden with all its infrastructure and the towns of Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond, Pringle Bay and Rooiels all form part of the ‘buffer zone’ of this superb Biosphere Reserve in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
The Leopard’s Kloof Trail requires a permit and gate key that can be obtained at the garden entrance.
This trail winds up through the forest before dropping down to the first river crossing. Once across, and a little way ahead, the very observant may see the old scratch marks of a leopard (Panthera pardus) on one of the tree stems. These animals are still seen at night from time to time.
Two more river crossings take you to the first waterfall after which a series of ladders lead to the second, then the third waterfall. The base of this last waterfall is your final destination. Here in season (late December to end January) you will find the Red Disa (Disa uniflora) flowering in all its glory amongst the water-spangled mosses and rocks of the cliffs towering above the pool. Give yourself time to stop and drink in the serenity of this special spot.
Please Note:
The Garden Restaurant offers a relaxed dining experience with indoor and outdoor seating, giving guests a lovely view of the formal garden and the water feature, with the mountains in the background.
Visitors can enjoy tasty teatime treats, light meals, and lunch in a friendly atmosphere, making it a great spot to unwind and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It's a place where everyone is welcome!
Read more about The Garden Restaurant here.
Harold Porter Botanical Garden warmly invites you to enjoy a relaxing picnic on its scenic lawn, surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Bring your picnic basket filled with your favourite snacks, or make it easy by ordering a delicious takeaway from the Garden Restaurant. Whether you want to unwind or share a meal with loved ones, the garden offers the perfect setting for a peaceful outdoor experience.
Harold Porter Book and Craft Shop at the Harold Porter Botanical Garden is an initiative of the Kogelberg Botanical Society.
With a wide selection of new books in most categories, you can find everything from plant identification books and cookery books by Jan Braai to entertaining kiddies publications for the little ones!
Harold Porter Book and Craft Shop also sells used books and welcomes pre-loved donations. Making this a shopping destination like no other, Harold Porter Book and Craft Shop has something for the whole family, and you will find unique gift ideas amongst gardening goodies, handmade jewellery, clothing, home decor, stationery and pantry treats.
Read more about the Harold Porter Book and Craft Shop, here.
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden’s nursery has a selection of indigenous plants suited to coastal and fynbos gardens.
Feel free to ask at the entrance if you need help selecting plants, or have any gardening questions, the team is ready to assist.
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden has various spaces for private functions.
Two conference rooms can be hired separately or together. The rooms are separated by inter-leading fold-away doors which can be opened for exclusive events.
The spacious Marquee Lawn is a lush grassy area surrounded by trees making it perfect for private outdoor functions.
Capacity:
Amenities:
The areas are perfect for:
Contact Harold Porter National Botanical Garden for more information.
The beautiful lawns and function rooms at Harold Porter National Botanical Garden offer the perfect setting for live events and activities throughout the year.
Over the years, the garden has hosted numerous memorable occasions, including outdoor concerts, garden festivals, art exhibitions, yoga sessions, and family-friendly activities.
With its stunning natural surroundings and versatile spaces, the garden provides an idyllic backdrop for events of all kinds, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience for all who attend.
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden hosts Betty’s Bay Parkrun.
The route is on a mixture of gravel, trail and grass paths.
The first part is in the formal garden, crossing the bridge into the indigenous forest for a double loop, before returning via another loop in the formal garden to finish at the restaurant.
Please note: only guide and service dogs are permitted at the Parkrun event and within Harold Porter National Botanical Garden. Thank you for your understanding and support!
Read more about the Parkrun here.
The Book and Craft Shop at Harold Porter National Botanical Garden is the heartbeat of the Kogelberg Botanical Society, playing a vital role in conserving the Kogelberg Biosphere.
One of the shop's key initiatives is 'hacking,' which focuses on clearing invasive alien plants from the region's natural habitats.
Alien invasive plants, which do not naturally occur in South Africa, spread rapidly and threaten the delicate fynbos ecosystem. These plants displace indigenous species and pose a significant fire risk. After fires, invasive seedlings quickly take root, outcompeting the native fynbos and compromising the recovery of the region’s biodiversity.
Local volunteers, known as "Hardcore Hackers," regularly meet to hand-pull seedlings and cut down larger alien trees. Priority areas include public open spaces, road verges, natural corridors, and wetlands, ensuring fynbos can flourish in its natural environment.
Contact Harold Porter Book and Craft Shop for more information about alien vegetation and how you can help The Hardcore Hackers!
The Harold Porter National Botanical Garden tariffs are as follows:
Arrange at least two weeks ahead of the intended visit.
Adults (18 - 59 years old) per person
Seniors (60+ years old) per person
School bookings are welcome and can be arranged through an education officer at R12 per learner. Please note that accompanying adults have to pay the standard entry fee.
“We visited on our way back to Cape Town from Hermanus where we had been to see southern right whales. Ours was a short 45-minute visit that did not allow us to hike on the Leopard’s Kloof Trail (about 1.5km) or the Zigzag Trail (about 4kms). We did, however, manage the circular Fynbos Trail. We enjoyed the tranquillity in the shade of the nearby mountains and the view of the ocean. The available information on all the plants we saw reflected the foresight and excellent planning of the founder of the garden, Harold Porter. I particularly liked the Useful Plants Garden. The sound of the streams was calming.” Munir
“An excellent nature reserve to visit with the whole family. Beautiful flowers, plants and trees. Different trails are available that take you around the garden, up the mountain or to the waterfall. The garden trail is wheelchair friendly. Ensure to get the key for the gate at reception should you want to walk to the waterfall.” Wynand Nel
“This botanical garden offers lovely, scenic views of the mountains. There is a wide variety of indigenous plants. Learn more about different types of topography and the uses of many of the plants in the garden. There are waterfalls and various routes you can take to see them. Pack a picnic basket, and blankets so that you can make a day of it.” Ryan
“A beautifully maintained garden in a very relaxing atmosphere. Perfect for an afternoon family picnic or to spend some time surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of nature.” Conrad Zygmont
“A good place to relax, go bird watching or go for a trail walk. The Discovery Vitality Parkrun also takes place every Saturday morning. Lots of inclines make the run more challenging than a flat run at other venues. Running through the forest allows you to see lots of pretty views as well as crossing bridges and seeing the waterfall.” Ivan Mostert
Gather your family and friends for a fun-filled evening under the stars.
Join Harold Porter Botanical Garden for International Coastal Cleanup Day!
Dive into a world of botanical beauty at the plant sale!
Free entry to the garden, R50 to take part in the competition.
To secure your spot for the tour, please book.
Participants must bring along any toiletry item as a donation towards the Santa Workshop Organisation. ...
