Johannesburg Botanical Gardens: Brilliance in Jo’burg

So, if you’ve just walked in - welcome to my tragic weekend. Rain predicted, hikes cancelled, camping cancelled and my fantasy of being that “outdoorsy girl”?

Crushed.

Which, quite frankly, felt like a personal attack.

I needed a back up for Sunday. Something local and easily escapable at the first flash of lightning (because, you know, survival).

Who you gonna call?

Boris. Always Boris.

Except Boris is more of a “treats first, texts later” kind of guy.

Luckily, his human, Basil, answered. And that was close enough to a win.

Finally! I was thrilled to tick this off my list.

It's been sitting there patiently, watching me choose everything else instead.

Basil and I landed up at different entrances, but while waiting for her, I was already out the car, camera in hand, snapping the stunning green canopy in the parking lot.

Johannesburg Botanical Gardens? Emmarentia Dam?

The moment Basil and Boris get out, a car guard (I assume) yells, “No dogs allowed!”

Excuse me? No dogs?

I was confused - because social media has receipts. I’ve seen countless posts of people walking their fluff goblins through these very gardens.

We double-checked with the security guard and, sure enough: no dogs allowed.

Well, THAT took the sparkle out of my Sunday.

Basil, being the practical (read: adult) one, suggested we head around the corner to Emmarentia Dam.

“Same place, different entrance,” she said.

"Impossible," I thought, except… she was right.

We arrived to find dogs everywhere. Running, swimming, drooling.

And crazier? A huge dog friendly sign practically waving a paw at us.

I was left wondering what in the geographical nonsense was going on.

One gate says “No dogs” while another practically rolls out the red carpet for them?

Johannesburg, explain yourself.

Still Confused, But Very Impressed

One thing I wasn’t confused about though: it’s beautiful.

Like, really beautiful.

Big open spaces, majestic trees, the dam — a dog’s delight, but equally perfect for non-furball folk.

 The "Little Free Library"

I was especially heart warmed to see the "Little Free Library" - stocked with books that people actually take and return.

In Johannesburg! 

Take that, cynics who think “trust” doesn’t exist in this country.

The Rose Garden

We wandered into the Rose Garden, which was beautiful - even in its “waiting for the glow-up” phase.

The ponds and fountains were empty (maybe rain, maybe budget, who knows?), but you could see the potential.

The Rose Garden

If those fountains were fountaining, the place would be breathtaking.

Give it a few weeks for the blooms to show off, and it’ll be exquisite.

Final Thoughts

There’s loads of benches, and well maintained grassy areas throughout, perfect for picnics, reading, or just people-watching.

I can’t believe it took me this long to discover this gem.

How did I miss it for, oh, the last six decades? I mean, I did do parks when my kids were little.

There were picnics. Possibly even ducks. And yet - nothing.

Dog Friendly Coffee Shop

And no, I’m not a food critic -  but since the day’s theme was fuzzballs, it feels only right to mention that we wrapped things up with a post-hike cappuccino at Doppio Zero in Greenside, which is fabulously dog-friendly.

Well done, Doppio. Where fuzzballs are welcome, joy surely follows.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Emmarentia

COST

It’s free. Yup, zero rands. A rare urban miracle.

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

There are no major inclines or technical bits — it's virtually flat.

TRAIL LENGTH

You can carve out your own trail, stroll for hours, and still feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface.

TRAIL MARKERS

None needed. Go rogue — Boris did.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

Open bits and foresty bits.

ABLUTIONS

Recently redone, which was a pleasant surprise! However, only one of three stalls was working and there was no toilet paper.

Bring your own just in case.

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

We saw a little coffee kiosk at some point.

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Definitely bird life

NOTE TO SELF

Remember to Google why my WhatsApp car lady thingamajiggy refuses to take “no” for an answer — but happily accepts “No, THANK YOU.”

Even my car now requires emotional validation.  

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Definitely! There’s even a playground for the little ones.

PET FRIENDLY

Well… yes. Mostly. Depending on which gate you use.

ON A FINAL NOTE

Whether you’re team “No Dogs Allowed” or team “Dogs Everywhere”, one thing’s certain: this little slice of green in the heart of Jo’burg deserves a visit.

Well bloody done, Johannesburg City Parks. You’ve outdone yourselves again — beautiful, clean, free, and not fenced off for “maintenance.”

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(TO)SOLO