The botanical gardens on the northern edge of the city occupy a sloping site planted from the late nineteenth century onwards with trees, shrubs, and flowers from across the British Empire and southern Africa. The collection is no longer maintained to its original standard, but the mature trees — jacarandas, flamboyants, monkey-puzzles, indigenous fig species — remain impressive.
The gardens are a quiet place to walk away from the heat and noise of the centre, with paths winding between the lawns and a small dam at the lower end. Bring water and insect repellent; in the wet season the place fills with butterflies and birds.