Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens 2023

The botanical garden is home to 7,000 indigenous plants and features a large collection of cycads. It’s also home to the Botanical Society Conservatory and Compton Herbarium.

In botanical gardens, curators assemble plants with a story in mind. They root narratives of ruination and new flourishing, diversity and local becomings and multispecies kinship into Kirstenbosch.

It’s a must-see

Kirstenbosch is a must-see attraction for visitors to Cape Town. It’s a place that is known for the beauty of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It’s also a beautiful spot for picnics, hiking trails, and summer sunset concerts.

It has over 7,000 plant species and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll find many of the prolific members of the Cape Floral Kingdom, but there are also plants from all over Southern Africa, including a near-complete collection of cycads and a huge diversity of succulents.

Besides the incredible flora, there’s also plenty of art to see at the Gardens. You’ll find a bust of Nelson Mandela, and the Sculpture Garden features an exhibition of African stone sculptures. You can also take a stroll along the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway (also known as Boomslang), which snakes up and over the trees of the Arboretum.

If you’re looking for a fun night out, you can also check out the Galileo Open Air Cinema at the Gardens. This cozy little venue snuggles into the romantic landscape of Kirstenbosch Gardens and is completely sheltered from the famous Cape Doctor, so you can enjoy a movie under the stars without getting wet or cold. It’s a perfect way to end your day at one of South Africa’s most beloved botanical gardens.

It’s easy to get to

A visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a must-do activity for visitors to Cape Town. The gardens are a botanical paradise nestled beneath the slopes of Table Mountain. They feature a collection of unique plants, including heathery fynbos and dramatic flowers such as proteas and strelitzias. There are also Zimbabwean stone sculptures throughout the gardens.

The gardens are located 13 km from Cape Town’s city center and is well-signposted on all major roads. It’s easy to get to the garden by car, but there are also plenty of bus and train options. The Moovit app makes it easy to find the best bus or train route to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.

Botanical art is experiencing a revival worldwide at the same time as an increased interest in saving the planet. PLANT 2023 at Kirstenbosch takes botanical art to a new level by highlighting the eco-systems, pollinators and creatures that interact with our beautiful plant kingdom. Each work tells its own story, revealing a fascinating natural world.

Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens is home to a wide variety of plants, from fynbos to forests, and includes the world’s most comprehensive collection of Cape plants. The gardens are an important biodiversity hotspot and are an international tourist destination. They host a variety of events and activities, from concerts to yoga sessions. The gardens are also a great place to take in the stunning view of Table Mountain.

It’s free

The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a world-renowned botanical garden nestled on the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. Established in 1913, it is one of the first gardens to be dedicated solely to indigenous flora. Today, the 89-acre site is home to more than 7,000 species of indigenous plants. The garden is a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers, who come to capture the beauty of its flora. The pristine gardens are surrounded by natural forest and fynbos, and are part of the UNESCO-listed Cape Floristic Region.

The gardens are open year round, although they are most vibrant in the summer. Their location on the slopes of Table Mountain gives them a unique climate that allows the gardens to remain green throughout the year. In addition to its beautiful plants and flowers, the gardens are also home to a number of birds and animals.

Visitors to the gardens are encouraged to take advantage of the many facilities available to them, including a concert area, lecture hall, and restaurants. Visitors can also take guided tours, or purchase tickets for a flower show or other special event.

Kirstenbosch also hosts the annual Summer Sunset Concerts, a series of open-air music performances that feature local and international artists. This year, the line-up features an eclectic mix of acts, from jazz musicians to indie singers and rappers. The concerts take place on the lawns of the gardens, offering a spectacular setting for a relaxing evening of music and drinks with friends.

It’s fun

A visit to Kirstenbosch is always a fun experience, whether you’re picnicking on a blanket among the heathery fynbos or gazing at the dramatic colors of the strelitzias. If you’re in the mood for a concert, there are regular sunset performances that combine the enchanting sounds of renowned musicians with the awe-inspiring beauty of Table Mountain.

There are plenty of other activities to enjoy at the gardens as well, including hiking up Skeleton Gorge or exploring the many shady trails. Visitors can also visit the cycad amphitheatre or stroll through the sculpture garden, which features an exhibition of African stone art. And, of course, no visit to the gardens is complete without enjoying a glass of wine at one of the many outdoor summer concerts.

As if all this weren’t enough, the Gardens also offer a range of educational tours and programs. For instance, a guided walk celebrates the centenary of the gardens and explores the history, design principles and challenges that helped make them the first botanical garden in the world to be dedicated to a country’s indigenous flora.

You’ll also learn about the people who made the garden what it is today. The walks are suitable for all ages and are led by professional guides. However, it’s important to remember that the gardens are a no bins zone, so don’t forget to bring back any rubbish you take in!