“And it was said that each night 12 dancing princesses ran to the golden pavilion to dance the night away under the stars” Though this tale doesn’t originate from the tip of South Africa, it wouldn’t be a surprise if you were caught with this flight of fancy at the Johannesburg Botanical Garden. Set over 81 hectares, the endemic, endangered species of South Africa are put in the spotlight together with rare fauna from all over the globe. Learn Shakespeare in a slightly different context through the various plants that have featured in his text, like mint and chamomile, in a garden designed just for him. From carefully pruned bushes bloom splashes of vivid reds, whites and pale pinks to number 10, 000 roses framed by the hanging blossoms of Japanese flowering cherry. Under the glass roof of a single arboretum, travel to California, England Spain and Portugal as you. These were the seeds of global exchanges with other botanical institutions, raised with tender loving care to create a sample of the world to be seen at a go.

Past the formal gardens and labelled shrubs and herbs one can run, find spaces for a relaxed picnic or simply watch the people move by as the day wears on. Seated here in the tranquility, you can easily forget the rush of urban life just minutes away in the city center.