Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is one of the highlights of Cape Town. If you are interested in the flora of the Western Cape of South Africa and Table Mountain at all, it is a must see! The Cape Floral Kingdom is one of the most diverse regions in the world when it comes to plant species. For reference, there are more species of plants and animals living in Table Mountain National Park than all of the United Kingdom combined.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a sprawling garden that seems to go on forever. It flows seamlessly into Table Mountain. So much so, that you begin the Skeleton Gorge hike there!

Throughout the week is great to go, but Sundays are the best. Somehow there has been a unwritten memo to most Capetonians that Sundays are the day to go to the gardens. It is full of happy faces! You are allowed to bring in picnics, including wine, and just sit underneath a tree to take in the beauty.

One can just wander through the gardens all day, but there is a relatively new attraction there as well, the Boomslang boardwalk. This trail is high in a canopy (so it takes some climbing of stairs to get there) and is modelled after the Boomslang snake that is found in the Cape Floral Kingdom. This trail gives an incredible view of Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, and especially Table Mountain.

There is also a small amphitheatre there that hosts the Kirstenbosch Summer Concert Series; concerts that range from orchestras, folk music, electronic, and rap. Truthfully, there will be a concert for all tastes! Get tickets early because they do sell out!

Please enjoy some of our photographs and don’t pass up on going to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens!

A bird of paradise at the gardens

On the Boomslang tree canopy walkway.

On the Boomslang walkway in the tree canopy!

Devil’s Peak peeking through the trees

A small butterfly enjoying the gardens

A special cactus!

Silver Trees in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

For more information on the Gardens, click here!