Welcome to Prince Albert Open Gardens

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 900 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.

2026 Event Overview

Our 2026 event saw 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 - 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 were 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, boasted 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, once again featured an organic vegetable gardening workshop focusing on heirloom seeds, seed saving, companion planting and natural pest control.

In addition there were four Concept Gardens that visitors accessed free of charge. A group of local artists collaborated at the Art Garden at Karoo Souk and created a visual experience in response to the enchanting garden. The Secret Garden at Prince Albert Country Stay served up tea, scones and other deliciousness, while Renu-Karoo Nursery ensured visitors did not leave Prince Albert without a boot full of plants. Next door was the Wolwekraal Research and Education Centre, a carefully curated space which delighted visitors  with its Karoo indigenous plant selection, dedicated local Karoo medicinal garden, and Dr Judy Maguire’s donated collection of local geological artifacts.

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

Prince Albert Open Gardens supports the incredible work being done at Wolwekraal Nature Reserve  - a percentage of the ticket sales was donated to their efforts and we thank all our 2026 visitors that contributed to this worthy cause.

Prince Albert Conservation

Prince Albert Open Gardens supports the incredible work being done at Wolwekraal Nature Reserve which elevates conservation and environmental awareness, educating and facilitating research on ecological restoration, and Karoo Biodiversity. The reserve has annual running costs of R1000 per hectare and being a Non-Profit Organisation, it relies on an income generated from guided nature walks on the reserve, as well as public support and donations to cover costs and ongoing conservation.

A percentage of Prince Albert Open Gardens ticket sales are donated to their efforts annually, so while enjoying a weekend of Karoo gardens and associated talks, walks, and workshops, you can also be proud to have contributed to this worthy cause, we thank you.

Read more at wcro.co.za

Your support of our 2026 event allowed us to hand over R15 000 to Prof. Sue Dean of Wolwekraal Nature Reserve.