No visit to Cape Town is complete without a stroll through the most beautiful garden in Africa – the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, one of the most highly acclaimed botanical gardens in the world on the slopes of Table Mountain. The garden lies in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, making Kirstenbosch the first botanic garden in the world to be included within a natural World Heritage Site.

Part of a National Park

The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens were established in 1913 and today the 36ha garden merges seamlessly with the Table Mountain National Park. The expertly curated and meticulously maintained gardens are a real treat for the senses. The gardens trace the history of the area and celebrate the botanical diversity of the Western Cape, whilst also simply being a gorgeous place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

One can simply stroll around the garden and soak up the sounds, colours and aromas of the natural environment or take advantage of a guided shuttle car tour of the gardens. There are free guided tours of the gardens on offer from Monday’s to Saturday’s at 11h00 and 14h00 leaving from the visitors centre. Self-guided walks are also more than satisfactory as the garden is superbly signposted and information abounds and audio guides are also available.

More than just plants

As all gardeners know only too well, time in the garden works up an appetite and to cater for the hungry or thirsty visitor there are 2 restaurant options and a coffee shop to choose from. The Kirstenbosch Tea Room is situated at the top gate and is the perfect venue for the family. The Moyo restaurant nearer the bottom gate offers a wonderfully “African” dining experience, complete with tribal inspired face painting. For the shopper, there are two superb gift and bookshops, with a wonderfully diverse range of offerings as well as an indigenous nursery and a sculpture garden.

A snake in the trees

A wonder of engineering and a thing of beauty offering sweeping views of the gardens and beyond is the canopy walkway that winds through the tree tops of the gardens. Named after a local tree snake for obvious reasons, “The Boomslang” is a must for all visitors. Here is some more motivation to walk the snake!

Contact details…

Tel: +27(0)21 799 8783

Address: Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town