Take action now for free access to national botanical gardens for a full year

The Botanical Society of South Africa (BotSoc) is offering its members, and plant and nature lovers in general, a chance to enjoy free access to all of South Africa’s national botanical gardens that are managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) for one more year.

Up until March 31, should you renew your BotSoc membership or become a member for the first time, you can enjoy free access to the best gardens in the country for another year.

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Depending on the BotSoc membership option you choose, this allows you to visit gardens such as Kirstenbosch, Walter Sisulu, Lowveld, Harold Porter and others for the next year, free of charge and as often as you like.

If you renew your membership or become a new member of BotSoc after April 1 you will receive a 10% discount on your garden entry for the next year.

BotSoc members enjoy a number of benefits, including a copy of the acclaimed Veld & Flora magazine and the opportunity to join plant-focused webinars and fun activities organised by BotSoc branches across the country.

In the past, members have received free access to Sanbi gardens, but this is set to change.

According to BotSoc general manager Antonia de Barros, “Following negotiations with Sanbi, this benefit will change going forward. If your membership is due to expire shortly, or even if it isn’t, it’s a great opportunity to extend your free garden access benefit by purchasing a new membership before the end of March this year.”

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Sanbi has agreed to honour all existing BotSoc life memberships. These primary members will continue to enjoy unlimited garden access, as long as they contact the national BotSoc team before the end of January to confirm their details.

Life member’s guest cards are valid for free garden access until March 31, 2024. Unfortunately, no new life memberships can be sold.

BotSoc is a civil society organisation made up of members across South Africa. These plant lovers get involved to know, grow, protect and enjoy our country’s incredible indigenous plants and biodiversity.

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De Barros said, “At the heart of our work as a non-profit organisation is our involvement in protecting our plants through our conservation activities. We work to protect important plant areas and threatened species, and to respond to the plant poaching crisis. Growing the capacity of plant guardians, especially the youth, is important to us. Given the terrifying rate of biodiversity loss, this work has never been more important.”

The revised collaboration agreement between BotSoc and Sanbi will remain in place until March 31, 2024 and the benefits honoured until March 31, 2025. Memberships can be bought and renewed on Webtickets.

The Botanical Society of South Africa is a non-profit, civil society organisation which was established in 1913. Today, BotSoc has a membership of approximately 14 000 people.

For more information, contact sanbicollab@botanicalsociety.org.za.