Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden Waterfall Trail

The Waterfall Trail at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden is a loop of about 4 km in Poortview, Roodepoort, on the west side of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa. The garden is on Malcolm Road, and visitors reach it by rental car or by Uber from Sandton, at around R250 (about $15). There is no practical public transit to the gate. Parking is available on site. Entry costs roughly R27 to R45 for adults (about $2 to $3), and the garden is open daily from around 08:00 to 17:00; current hours and fees are published by SANBI at sanbi.org.

The trail takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, with an elevation gain of around 120 m. The technical difficulty is easy, though the climb is steeper than the other Johannesburg park walks, and the surface is dirt and rock path with some steps, so trail shoes with good grip help. Shade is limited on the open slopes but present near the stream and in the wooded gullies. The route climbs toward the Witpoortjie waterfall, which drops about 70 m over the cliffs, and passes highveld vegetation cultivated and conserved by the garden. Beneath the cliffs a pair of Verreaux's eagles breed, and they are often seen soaring above the ridge, so a camera and binoculars are worthwhile.

Key landmarks are the waterfall and the viewpoints below the cliff face, and walkers can turn around at the base of the falls if the climb is too much. Water flow is strongest after the summer rains, and the falls can be thin in the dry winter months. Water should be carried, though the garden has facilities near the entrance area, and there are no refuge huts on the trail. Visitors should keep to the marked path, avoid disturbing nesting raptors and check weather before setting out, as summer afternoon thunderstorms are common on the Highveld. The garden also has lawns and picnic areas suited to a longer half-day visit.