With the ever-increasing need to be green conscious, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens should be high on your itinerary this winter. Over 528 hectares of one of the world’s most beautiful gardens is home to the indigenous plants of South Africa.

It’s located literally at the foot of the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. So you’re sure to experience picturesque scenery!

Avoid the crowds by going for an evening stroll in this kingdom of diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. It’ll become your weekly or even daily joy.

Egyptian geese and the resident meercats are just some of the wildlife you'll spot in this cultivated garden. Here you’ll find collections of South African plants, particularly inclined to heavy winter rainfall.

There’s a water-wise garden and a fragrance garden. In the heat of summer, the fragrant garden is just that…overwhelmingly fragrant!

There’s one that explains the medicinal uses of South African plants. So you’ll know how to treat winter’s colds and flu. The Dell’s one of the oldest parts of the establishment featuring tree ferns and shade loving plants.

Flowering at this time of the year, is the Pelargonium ionidiflorum. It’s otherwise recognized as beautiful violet pink flowers.

You’ll observe leaf scars on the stems. The lengthy name is derived from the resemblance of the shape to the beak of a stork, pelargos in Greek. There are 219 species of this plant in South Africa.

Sign up for a themed walk. You’ll depart from the information desk at gate 1. On Mondays and Saturdays the walks are at 10 am. Tuesday’s walks are at 11 am. Expect to be at it for about an hour-and-a-half.

If you find walking rather daunting, there are golf carts with local guides who push you around to see all the important parts. This way you won’t even break a sweat. If you’re an avid hiker you can conquer Skeleton Gorge's Nursery Ravine.

Extremely popular are a series of musical sunset concerts held on the lawns. You can enjoy this during summer, from December to March.

For your information
It’s open 365 days a year from 08:00 - 19:00 during September through to March. The opening times in April to August are from 08:00 - 18:00. It’s situated in Rhodes Drive, Newlands.

The entrance fee is R30 for adults and R20 for South African students with student ID cards. School children (6-18 years old) get in for R5. Children under 6 years have free entry.

For wining and dining the Silver Tree restaurant at Kirstenbosch is world renowned for its fine food and spectacular surroundings.

Whether you’re looking for casual breakfasts or formal dinners, the Silver Tree restaurant’s a winner.

 

Organize your garden travels with these packages.