Tree Canopy Walkway, Steel and timber walkway in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, South Africa
The Tree Canopy Walkway is a curved steel and timber structure that winds through the forest canopy, carrying visitors up to 12 meters high across roughly 130 meters of path. From this height, guests can look out toward Table Mountain and see across the Cape Flats below.
The walkway opened in 2014 to mark the one-hundredth anniversary of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which was founded in 1913 on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. This opening came at a milestone moment for a garden that had grown into one of the region's major botanical collections.
The structure takes its name from Boomslang, meaning tree snake in the local language, reflecting both its curved shape and South African natural heritage. Visitors walking through can see how this connection to local wildlife runs through the design.
Access to the walkway is through the main entrance of the gardens, with the experience included in the standard admission price. Wear sturdy shoes and visit in early morning or late afternoon hours to avoid crowds and get the best light for looking out over the landscape.
The steel framework touches the forest floor at only two points, allowing guests to watch birds and plants from several elevated vantage points. This minimal-contact design reduces impact on the forest while letting visitors move through the trees without blocking views of the canopy around them.
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