Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a purpose-built botanical garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, established in 1913 to conserve South Africa’s indigenous flora. The core cultivated area covers several dozen hectares dedicated to fynbos, proteas and other native plant groups.

The garden contains themed beds, indigenous woodland, extensive walking paths and the elevated Centenary Tree Canopy walkway that is about 130 metres long and rises roughly 12 metres above the ground. Visitors also use the lawns and amphitheatre for concerts and picnics, and the conservatory displays species from drier or more sensitive habitats.

Kirstenbosch was created to protect and study South African plant biodiversity and has expanded its scientific, horticultural and public-education roles over the 20th century. Since the early 21st century it forms part of the Cape Floristic Region World Heritage Site and is managed as a national botanical resource.

The garden lies on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain within the southern suburbs of Cape Town, a short drive from the city centre and within the Table Mountain National Park boundary.

• Established: The garden was established in 1913 to preserve South Africa's indigenous flora and sits within the Cape Floristic Region World Heritage area.
• When to visit: Spring in the southern hemisphere (September to November) is the peak period for fynbos and protea flowering; the garden also hosts a popular summer concert series on the lawns.

What to See #

• Centenary Tree Canopy (Boomslang): A 130-metre elevated steel-and-wood walkway that snakes through the upper canopy and reaches up to about 12 metres above the ground, installed as a prominent visitor attraction in the gardens.
• Conservatory: A glasshouse conservatory that displays plant collections requiring controlled conditions and complements the outdoor fynbos and protea beds.