The National Botanical Garden (in Pretoria) has launched a new braille booklet to help blind people experience the magnificence of the garden’s trees. The tree route will introduce some of the country s indigenous trees to blind visitors and details of 50 different types of trees found in the garden are in the booklet.

Recently The Lions Club, blind visitors, guide dogs and puppy walkers put the route to the test and went around the garden touching and smelling the trees, learning more about their life cycles and uses. They were accompanied by tree expert Professor Braam van Wyk, from the University of Pretoria.

A National Botanical Garden spokesperson said every effort was made to make the garden relevant and accessible to as many people as possible. The braille project is sponsored by Lions Club Pretoria Jacaranda. The booklet, costing R20, is available at the gardens bookshop.

The National Botanical Garden in Brummeria is open Monday to Sunday from 7am to 6pm and guide dogs are definitely allowed. Entry is R20 for adults, R10 for students, R8 for pre-schoolers. Entry is free for senior citizens on Tuesdays.

For more information call Linette Ferreira at 012 843 5095.