Welcome to Prince Albert Open Gardens

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Prince Albert Open Gardens

Prince Albert, the jewel of the Karoo is situated in an arid, semi-desert region at the base of the majestic Swartberg Mountain range, the location and resulting harsh climate and water scarcity forcing an adaptable way of gardening that is forging the way for the future of gardening practices.

Join us for inspiration on how to sustainably beautify your outdoor space in a waterwise way, harmonising with birds, insects, and wildlife that reside there.

From our inaugural event in 2023, Prince Albert Open Gardens has left lasting impressions on over 700 visitors who passed through our semi-desert wonderland, many returning annually to watch our gardens flourish and change, and to partake in the unique talks, walks, and interactive workshops on offer.

Along with cultivating a more responsible way of gardening, we are pleased to support the incredible work being done at Wolwekraal Nature Reserve, a percentage of ticket sales contributing towards their tireless conservation efforts. The Prince Albert Open Gardens event also helps grow our community by employing youth as welcoming garden ambassadors, giving them exposure to the hospitality and tourism sector.

We look forward to welcoming you to a weekend of true Karoo nature and the warmest people this side of the Swartberg.

What to Expect 25th to 27th September 2026

Prince Albert’s most beautiful gardens will once again be showcasing sustainable spaces that are indigenous, water-wise, and wildlife friendly. Alluring aloe gardens, medicinal plants, garden art, veld gardens, organic vegetable farms, and regenerative spaces will be on display, with our gardeners on site to inform and engage.

This year’s event sees some exciting new additions including a Wild Garden in the Making, Klippiesvlei, and for the first time in the event’s history a couple of North End gardens - Rivier Oewer Tuin and Karoo Tuin - opening inspirational spaces belonging to a community that descend from the original inhabitants of the Great Karoo who are very much one with our land.

Noteworthy returns are 1 Nieuwe Street, a garden fully integrated with its surrounding nature, together with The Karoo Garden Collective, a thoughtfully connected trio of gardens forming one continuous, wild landscape designed with indigenous plants and low-intervention principles, each space telling a story of beauty, resilience, and biodiversity. Kraal Garden, always a firm visitor favourite, boasts acacia-filled savannah grasslands offset by an eco-dam surrounded by local shrubs and wildlife, leading to a more formal garden with old kraal walls and featuring aloes, an orchard, and a working nursery.

Oasis Farm, our food garden, will once again feature an organic vegetable gardening workshop focusing on heirloom seeds, seed saving, companion planting and natural pest control.

In addition there are three Concept Gardens that visitors can access free of charge. A group of local artists will collaborate at the Art Garden at Karoo Souk to create a visual experience in response to the enchanting garden, The Secret Garden at Prince Albert Country Stay will be serving up tea and scones and other deliciousness on a plate, and Renu-Karoo Nursery will ensure you do not leave Prince Albert without a boot full of plants.

The weekend will be jam-packed with all things natural, organic, green, and inspiring. Besides our unique Great Karoo gardens, there will be a host of talks, walks, and workshops.

Prince Albert Open Gardens supports the incredible work being done at Wolwekraal Nature Reserve and the Prince Albert Community Trust - a percentage of the ticket sales is donated to their efforts annually, so while enjoying a weekend of Karoo gardens, visitors can also be proud to have contributed to this worthy cause.

Take Home Souvenir

Visitors can take home this striking souvenir, our logo and poster child, the rare and endemic Bijlia Dilatata, also known as the Prince Albert Vygie. Plants will be on sale at our ticket sales hub, Renu-Karoo Nursery, during our Prince Albert Open Gardens event 25 to 27 September 2026, each purchase accompanied by a permit.