Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch is South Africa’s world-famous national botanical garden, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, and home to more than 22 000 indigenous plants.

Kirstenbosch is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to protect the immense floral wealth of the Cape. Located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, this 528ha (1 305 acre) botanical wonderland is magnificent in any season. Paved paths make walking around a pleasure, and plaques and signboards provide information on the trees and plants. There is a free daily walking tour at 10h00, and visitors can enjoy golf cart tours every hour for R50 (additional to Garden entry fee).

The glass-topped conservatory is home to numerous plants – including an enormous baobab tree – from different South African habitats. If you’d like to go back in time some 3.2-billion years, the Gondwanaland Garden displays types of plants that were present when there was only one continent on Earth.

The Cycad Garden shows off a family of plants that date back some 200-million years and the Fynbos Walk takes one through vegetation unique to the Cape Floral Kingdom and the Western Cape. The Useful Plants Garden has a selection of medicinal plants used to treat a number of ailments.

If you’re a keen hiker, you’ll enjoy two popular paths, the Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine, which wind their way up Table Mountain. You’ll need to be fairly fit, and to set aside the better part of a day for either of these hikes. Afterwards you can refresh and replenish your energy at the Botanical Café (open from 08h00 to 17h30). The Silver Tree Restaurant (open from 08h30 to 22h00, and contactable at +27 (0)21 762 9585) can arrange a picnic lunch and also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In summer there are open-air concerts on Sundays, and it’s best to bring a loaded picnic basket and enjoy the gardens at your leisure, as you sip Cape wines. Get there early, as the concerts are particularly popular. The Silver Tree Restaurant also hosts a popular winter concert programme.

Extra info

Opening Times:
The garden is open daily from 08h00 to 18h00 from April to August; and from 08h00 to 19h00 from September to March.

The free guided tours are done at 10h00 Monday to Saturday

Sunday concerts take place from December through to March from 17h30 to 19h00

Botanical Cafe hours are daily from 08h00-17h30, but may close earlier in winter and the Silvertree Restuarant is open from 08h30-22h00, 7 days a week.

Price:
Adults: R40
South African students (with card): R25
Children (6 to 17yrs): R10
Children under 6yrs: Free
Botanical Society of South Africa members: Free
South African senior citizens (with ID): Free on Tuesdays, except on public holidays

Walking in Cape Town

Many visitors want to explore nature on higher ground as soon as they arrive in Cape Town and with Lion’s Head and Table Mountain beckoning, many do get to experience the local flora and fauna on foot. However, the entire peninsula can be enjoyed by avid walkers. From Blouberg Beach, with its picture perfect views from its sandy shores, to the more adventurous guided Hoerikwaggo Trails along the spine of Table Mountain, visitors have an expanse of ground to cover.

St James

Just a little further on from Cape Town’s well-known Muizenberg beach (with its ubiquitous Victorian bathing boxes) is St James.

African Wildlife

Although Cape Town and the Western Cape are probably not the best places to experience a safari (Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces are better known for that), it is possible to have an encounter with South Africa’s big game not far from the Mother City.

Llandudno and Sandy Bay

Only 18km from the Cape Town city centre, an arc of fine white sand gives away the secluded location of one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches, Llandudno.

Macassar Dunes Project

The Macassar Dunes Project is located on the Cape Town coast adjacent to Macassar and Khayelitsha and is bounded by the Eerste River, Baden Powell Drive and False Bay.

Reviews

Be the first to review this provider.

Add your review

This is to determine that you are human and not a spam bot
 
 

Tue: 12°C / 22°C

Currently: 16°C (19:59)

 
×