Makaranga Botanical Gardens, Kloof, KZN, South Africa

Shannon and Jordan at the beginning of our walk.

Fortunately, it had stopped raining.

Strolling through the lush, green Makaranga Botanical Gardens, provides a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is hard to believe that this peaceful paradise in Kloof, KZN, can be found just a stone's throw from a major highway, near to the city of Durban.

The picturesque waterfall

The lily pond in the Japanese garden

We saw an impressive collection of both indigenous and exotic trees, as well as many species of Orchid, Camellia and Rhododendron. There are stretches of perfectly manicured lawns, 18 different ponds, a pretty waterfall that runs into a small stream, and magnificent Japanese gardens complete with bridges, lanterns, and walkways among the tall trees and exotic plants.

Hand-carved stone statues are scattered throughout the gardens, 

many of them by Zimbabwean artists. 

Not surprisingly, as Makaranga is the name of a tribe in Zimbabwe.

Shannon and Jordan had fun following the paths of the maze

Shannon by another lily pond. This one was full of Koi

Exotic foliage reflected in a pond

Janie on a bridge in the Japanese garden

We rounded off our trip with a delicious lunch in the restaurant of the very popular Makaranga Garden Lodge. Despite the gloomy weather, we had a glorious day.

Elizabeth Coughlan