Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

The oldest and largest botanical gardens in South Africa, the world-famous Kirstenbosch gardens lie on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. The gardens contain about 6,000 floral species and more than 22,000 indigenous plants - particularly those of the Cape floral kingdom, known as fynbos.

The gardens are simply beautiful, with lush rolling lawns, ambling cobbled paths and informative signposts that identify the plants and trees you're passing. Two popular routes up the mountain - Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorge - wind out of the top of Kirstenbosch, where the gardens become thick and wild with indigenous hedges.

There is always something to see at Kirstenbosch, whatever the time of year, and you will come across some unusual features as you stroll through the gardens. There is a cycad bush in a cage, the last of its kind left in the world. It has no mate for propagation and needs protection from souvenir hunters.

You can also see van Riebeek's Hedge, planted in 1660 by Jan van Riebeek as a boundary to the newly-established Cape Colony. Impressive stone sculptures, both large and small, are part of a permanent exhibition of Shona art from Zimbabwe. Colonel Bird's Bath in The Dell is shaped like a bird and has a crystal-clear spring bubbling into it and through a stream filled with stepping stones that delight young children.

If you come across the grave of Professor Pearson, the first curator of the gardens in 1913, stop for a moment and read his most fitting epitaph. There is also a Braille Trail and scented garden where you'll find sweet- and strange-smelling plants, with a guide to their medicinal uses.

The gardens offer a good restaurant and delightful curio shop, as well as guided theme tours twice a week and free walking tours every morning at 10. In summer there is a series of Sunday evening musical concerts, so bring a picnic and enjoy the sunset serenades on the lawns.

View all Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens tours

Enquire now |  Add to my enquiry