Kings Park Rose Garden- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Kings Park Rose Garden anchors the historic Kings Park in central Bloemfontein, a landscaped public space established in the early 20th century to honour King George V. Spanning over 50 hectares of rolling lawns, tree-lined pathways, and water features, the garden itself was inaugurated around 1906 under the name Prince's Rose Garden. Today it contains more than 4,000 rose bushes across a variety of colours and cultivars, with several specimens dating back nearly a century, making it both a botanical showcase and a living historical site. The garden has undergone recent revitalization led by Anchor of Hope and Mangaung municipality, with clean‑ups, restoration of irrigation pipes and fountains, installation of lighting and seating, and the planting of over 100 new rose beds as part of a R500,000 rehabilitation project. It now hosts occasional community gatherings—such as family braais, birthdays, and public events—and serves as a subtle yet significant expression of Bloemfontein's nickname, "City of Roses", offering year-round floral colour and inviting spaces for photography, quiet reflection, and local cultural celebration.