Kirstenbosch
Botanical Gardens, Cape Town
High on any visitor’s list of things to do in Cape Town, Kirstenbosch
Botanical Gardens is over 528 hectares of some of the world’s most
beautiful gardens that lie literally at the feet of the eastern slopes
of Table Mountain. |
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Photographs of Kirstenbosch Gardens Courtesy of and © South Africa
Tourism |
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Capetonians have a decided
advantage if they’re botanical society members, as they’re free to come
and go at will. Sneaking in just as the crowds begin to leave for a
quiet evening stroll in this magic kingdom of diverse fynbos flora and
natural forest becomes a weekly or even daily joy.
Catching a glimpse of the large bird population, the Egyptian geese and
the resident meercats as well as strolling through the cultivated
garden, which displays collections of South African plants, particularly
those from the winter rainfall parts of the country, is just part of why
one comes here.
There’s a water-wise garden, a fragrance garden, which in the heat of a
summer’s day is overwhelming, a garden that explains the medicinal uses
of South African plants and the Dell – one of the oldest parts of the
garden featuring tree ferns and shade loving plants.
Themed walks are also available, and for those who find walking rather
daunting, there are golf carts with local guides who whisk you around to
see all the important bits without having to swelter in the heat. And
Skeleton Gorge/Nursery Ravine caters for the avid hiker.
During summer, from December to March, there is a series of musical
sunset concerts held on the lawns that are extremely popular. Opposite
Kirstenbosh a craft market is held at the stone cottages on the last
Sunday of every month, except during the heart of winter, and there are
several restaurants, a shop and a nursery. |
