This large area of the Garden represents three separate sections the African savannah garden, the natural koppie and highveld grassland areas. The northern section of the garden, planted mostly with trees of the African savannah, is a wonderful area for birds, small animals and other shy creatures not often seen. Collections of acacias, albizias, and other trees from the warmer parts of the country are grown here. Open areas between the plant groupings are left natural with mown strips facilitating access for serious birders and tree-spotters. Starting at the waterfall near the Tea Garden, the Dassie Trail follows a series of paved pathways through the natural bankenveld vegetation along the spine of the koppie.
Guidebooks are available at the entrance gate and at the bookshop, for a small fee.
The natural highveld grassland area on the southern side of the koppie is an interesting ecological display. Ungrazed by domestic animals for more than fifty years, it shows the vast diversity of plants that should be found under natural conditions in a typical highveld grassland environment. Visitors are free to find their own way through this grassland, stopping to look at and study the diversity and beauty of smaller flowers and plant features. Although left largely untouched, it is cut or burned on an annual basis by rotation, in order to simulate natural conditions. The best time to discover the riches hidden in this grassland is in spring, after the first good rains, when the grass is still short and numerous plants advertise their presence.