Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections of South African plants, particularly those from the winter rainfall region of the country.Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections of South African plants, particularly those from the winter rainfall region of the country. It was founded in 1913.

Opening Hours:

Open 365 days per year
1 April – 30 August: 08h00 – 18h00
1 September – 31 March: 08h00 – 19h00
Telephone: + 27 (0)21 799 8783

FLORA, FAUNA AND HIKING

The garden is home to many bird species (including breeding owls, guinea fowl and sugarbirds) and small endemic mammals (Cape Fox, small grey Mongoose, and Cape Otter). For hiking enthusiasts, Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine offer panoramic trails and getaways to the top of the Mountain.

Special Features:

• The Botanical Society Conservatory - enables Kirstenbosch to display South African plants which cannot be grown in the outdoor gardens. Here, under one roof, you will find plants from high mountain peaks, shady forests and hot, dry deserts. The main house, dominated by a large baobab tree, features succulents from the arid regions of southern Africa. Special collections of bulbs, ferns and alpines are displayed in smaller corner houses.
• Peninsula garden - displays some of the 2 500 plant species found on the Cape Peninsula.
• Water-wise garden - demonstrates how to create a garden which needs far less water and maintenance than a conventional garden.
• Fragrance garden - features plants with interesting textures and scents.
• Medicinal garden - Find out about the many medicinal uses of South African plants.
• The Dell - the oldest part of the Garden, featuring Colonel Bird's Bath, tree ferns and a variety of shade-loving plants.
• Protea garden - features members of the protea family (Proteaceae). This part of the Garden is most magnificent in winter and spring, when the proteas, conebushes and serrurias are in flower. Pincushions provide a colourful display in early summer.
• Restio garden - focuses on the incredible variety of texture and form found in the reed family (Restionaceae).
• Useful Plants garden (UPG) - the redevelopment and extension of the Medicinal Plants garden
• Van Riebeeck's hedge - planted in 1660 to protect cattle of the Cape colonists.