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Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden CAPE TOWN
South Africa's Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town
Kirstenbosch Gardens is renowned for the floral beauty and diversity of the plants on display, all indigenous to South Africa. The Gardens are set out on the lower slopes of the Table Mountain range, with cultivated as well as natural fynbos landscapes, consisting of the flora, shrubland and heath of the region.
Paths provide leisurely walks among rolling lawns, streams and ponds, with proteas, cycads and a wonderful variety of birds to enjoy. Refreshments are available at the restaurant and tea room, with gift shops, a nursery - and Sunday concerts in the summer months.
More strenuous walks lead up to higher elevations within the gardens.
Best Time to Visit
Every season has its charm: there are always flowers and interesting plants in season at Kirstenbosch, so the Gardens are well worth a visit at any time of year. However, the fynbos and other flowering plants are at their absolute best towards the end of winter, in spring and in early summer (August-November).
Walks and Trails
The 528 hectare (1,300 acre) Kirstenbosch estate offers five trails of differing levels of difficulty. Kirstenbosch and the adjoining Table Mountain National Park both form part of the Cape Floristic Region Protected Area, which has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Well-maintained and signed footpaths and gravel roads include:
- The Braille Trail and Boekenhout Trail for shorter, easier hiking.
- Also a shorter trail, the Stinkwood Trail passes through the oldest part of the forest with some of the largest trees.
- The Yellowwood Trail and Silvertree Trail are long hikes leading up to the waterfall and around the estate, through both forest and fynbos.
Routes from Kirstenbosch Gardens to the top of Table Mountain
Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorge are accessible from Kirstenbosch Estate. Please however take utmost care when hiking on the Mountain. Always look out for changes in weather, which can be unpredictable. Steep gorges and sheer cliffs can be extremely hazardous, especially when descending in windy, misty and wet conditions.
Safety Guidelines
People have been mugged when hiking on Table Mountain. Follow these safety guidelines when walking or hiking on the mountain.
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Getting AroundFor an easy and safe way to get around Cape Town's major attractions including Kirstenbosch Gardens, ride the open-top bus. |
Cape Peninsula Attractions
| Highlights of the Cape Peninsula| Boyes Drive | Cape Town and Peninsula Beaches |
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Camps Bay | Cape Point and Cape Of Good Hope Nature Reserve |
| Chapman's Peak Drive |False Bay Attractions and Activities |
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Groot Constantia Wine Estate |
Hout Bay | Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens |
| Llandudno | Penguin Colony at Boulders | Silvermine Nature Reserve |
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