Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Photo courtesy Randy OHC
Kirstenbosch is South Africa’s world-famous national botanical garden, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, and home to over 22000 indigenous plants.
Kirstenbosch is part of the Cape Floral Kindom which was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2004.
Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to protect the immense floral wealth of the Cape region. Located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, this 528ha (1305 acre) botanical wonderland is magnificent in any season. Paved paths make walking around the gardens a pleasure, and signboards provide information on the trees and plants as you stroll along with a partner, children or simply alone. There is a daily walking tour (at 10h00, no cost) and visitors can enjoy golf cart tours every hour (for just R25).
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 planet Earth.
The Cycad Garden shows off a family of plants that dates back some 200-million years and the Fynbos Walk takes one through the fynbos vegetation, unique to the Western Cape and the Cape Floral Kingdom. 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 both these hikes. Afterwards you can refresh and replenish your energy at the Botanical Café outdoor coffee shop (open from 08h00 to 17h00). The Silvertree Deli and Restaurant (open from 08h00 to 21h00, (+27 21 762 9585; www.kirstenboschrestaurant.com) can organise picnic baskets to be enjoyed on the lawns and it serves breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
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 they’re very popular. The Silvertree Restaurant also hosts a Winter Concert programme that is also popular with locals and visitors.
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Comments
Hi Keith, Jessica has e-mailed you some comprehensive advice - and as she said its not necessary to book in advance, especially in summer as the weather is generally predictable, if you ever go in winter when it rains in our mother city, its advisable to assess whether they’re walking. Big groups generally should book as this helps the guide prepare - Also, get there at least 20 minutes prior (940am). When you’re in the Gardens do yourself a favor and find the Strelitzia named after our ex-president Nelson Mandela, its beautiful! The cycad forest is also a must see. Jessica has e-mailed you the contact details of the guide so you have that at hand. Have a great one and let us know what your visit to the Botanical Gardens was like.
Paved paths make walking around the gardens a pleasure, and signboards provide information on the trees and plants as you stroll along with a partner, children or simply alone.
Will we get to see much of this amazing plant life if we visit in October?
I actually visited in January at the height of summer - and spent the whole day there - such was the magnificent sight of the flora and the fauna (as well as the sculptures).
I would like to know your policy on the use of camping chairs in the gardens. At the entrance gate it does stipulate that camping chairs are not permisable but there does not seem to be consistency as to whom the rule applies. My sister, brought along a chair (more of a back rest, which is smaller than a camping or beach chair)and was advised that she could not bring it into the gardens. Whilst there, we saw numerous people using all sorts of chairs in the garden. On enquiring with someone who we saw with a chair, we were advised that they had just brought it in. I understand that perhaps one or two might slip in with a chair but not every second person. I also understand that you need rules in order to maintain such a beautiful garden but then don’t make rules which you are unable to enforce for whatever reason. The gardens are beautiful and we did enjoy ourselves but please make a decision - are you allowing chairs in or not. I would appreciate your comment/response in this regard. Thank you. Marco Teixeira
Headed to Cape Town for the last week of June. What parts of the garden might be best for viewing? Would we need hiking boots for the paths or runners?
Thanks!
Kirstenbosch is definitely a wanna be place to visit and I have also heard from my brother that it has won 29 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show in 33 appearances. I so much wish to go there my brother and his friends had great time hiking there. So yes i guess it is advisable to go with hiking boots.
Thanks!
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Contact Details
Enquiries
- Tel: +27 21 799 8783
- Website: http://www.sanbi.org/frames/kirstfram.htm
- Physical Address: Rhodes Drive
Newlands
Cape Town
- Distance from Cape Town CBD: 12 km
- Est. Time from Cape Town CBD: 15 min
- Suggested Time at Destination: 2 hours
Opening Times:
Daily: April-Aug 08h00 to 18h00; Sept-March 08h00-19h00.
Sunday concerts take place from December through to March from 16h30 to 18h30
Price:
Adults R30, children R5
Closest Visitor Information Centre
Kirstenbosch Visitor Information Centre
- Tel: +27 (0)21 762 0687
- Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- Physical Address: Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Enquiry
Do you need more information, or would like to make a booking? Call (+27 21 487 6800), .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or Skype us.
Or contact us using the form below:
Is it advisable to book the free 10h00 daily walking tour of Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in advance? If so, who should I contact?