Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

The most beautiful garden in Africa.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. 

Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to promote, conserve and display the extraordinarily rich and diverse flora of southern Africa, and was the first botanic garden in the world to be devoted to a country's indigenous flora. Kirstenbosch displays a wide variety of the unique plant life of the Cape Flora, as well as plants from all the diverse regions of southern Africa, both outdoors and in the Botanical Society Conservatory. There are over 7 000 species in cultivation at Kirstenbosch, including many rare and threatened species.

The Garden covers 36 hectares in a 528 hectare estate that contains protected mountainside supporting natural forest and fynbos along with a variety of animals and birds.  Kirstenbosch lies in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, also known as the Cape Floral Kingdom. In 2004 the Cape Floristic Region, including Kirstenbosch, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site – another first for Kirstenbosch, it is the first botanic garden in the world to be included within a natural World Heritage Site.
Kirstenbosch is the largest of a country-wide network of nine National Botanical Gardens administered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

It is a living display featuring 4 700 of the estimated 20 000 species of indigenous South African flora, and close to 50 per cent of the Peninsula's floral wealth. In the cultivated area, related plants are grouped together and radiate from the central lawns like the spokes of a wheel.
Among the interesting sections here are the Cycad Amphitheatre, which hosts most species of these 'living fossils' found in southern Africa; the famed Protea Garden on the higher slopes, with its profuse growth of silver trees (Leucadendron argenteum); the JV Mathews Rock Garden (named after the first curator) containing succulents of the genera Crassula, Aloe, Lampranthus and Euphorbia; the Erica Garden and the Pelargonium Koppie.
Two streams cut through Kirstenbosch, both laced with besembos, red alder and hard fern. Of historical interest is an avenue of camphor trees and fig trees planted by Cecil Rhodes in 1898, and a small section of wild almond ( Brabejum stellatifolium) hedge planted by Dutch settler Jan van Riebeeck in 1660.
Within the grounds of Kirstenbosch are the headquarters of the National Botanical Institute that administers the national network of gardens and associated research institutes. One, the Compton Herbarium, is situated at the top of Camphor Avenue in Kirstenbosch itself. Named after a former director, the Compton Herbarium is dedicated to research, particularly into Cape flora.
It now preserves approximately 250 000 specimens, including its own collection and that of the South African Museum dating from 1825.

All paths in the main section of Kirstenbosch are paved. Smuts Track (used by the late General J C Smuts) leads through the mixed forest of indigenous trees up Skeleton Gorge to the summit of Table Mountain. The other route, Forest Walk, leads through leafy palaces of ironwood, yellowwood and red alder.

       There are two special routes along level, paved paths for wheelchairs, prams or the less agile. Known as the Weaverbird Walk and the Silver Tree Stroll, both are clearly signposted with the wheelchair sign. Three trails, Silvertree, Yellowwood and Stinkwood Trails, provide more vigorous walks of up to 6 km or three hours.

The Braille Trail for the blind passes through natural Table Mountain forest and fynbos. The plants are dearly labelled with Braille and large-print labels. The Fragrance Garden, situated nearby boasts a fine collection of indigenous aromatic plants, also labelled in Braille and large print, set out in a number of raised beds.

Kirstenbosch may be visited in spring and summer when the gardens blaze with Namaqualand daisies and other annuals, but winter is the best time to see proteas and ericas.

Visitors may purchase selected indigenous plants, books and souvenirs from the shop and there is a restaurant with an attractive outdoor section.

To get to Kirstenbosch from Cape Town, take the M3 towards Muizenberg. After passing Newlands Forest along Union Avenue, turn right into Rhodes Avenue and keep on this road until you see the sign directing you to the gates of the gardens.

Volunteer guides conduct tours of the Garden on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11h00. Group bookings and special interest tours can be arranged with the Information Office (Telephone +27 (0)21 761-4916). A club car also runs daily mini-tours on the hour from the Visitors' Centre. (please enquire about the costs). Pre-booking is advisable, (Telephone +27 (0)21 762-9120). A number of trails lead through natural forest and fynbos surrounding the developed garden. A map is obtainable from the Information Office for a nominal fee.