Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Botanical garden at Table Mountain slopes, Cape Town, South Africa
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden covers 1,300 acres (526 hectares) on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and displays around 9,000 South African plant species. Networks of walking trails connect different vegetation zones, from shaded forest sections to open meadows where visitors can move at their own pace.
The garden was established in 1913 as one of the first botanical gardens globally focused entirely on native plants. What had been farmland was transformed by botanist Henry Pearson into a center for plant conservation and education.
Summer concerts take place on the lawns with Table Mountain as a backdrop, blending live music with the natural setting. Visitors encounter information about indigenous plant species throughout the grounds, which helps them understand the local flora and its role in the landscape.
The terrain slopes uphill with a mix of easy strolls and more demanding trails, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Stop at the main entrance to ask about current hours, seasonal variations, and which sections suit your energy level and interests.
The Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway is an elevated pathway that winds about 430 feet (130 meters) through the tree tops. This rare perspective lets visitors see into the canopy from above and experience the forest structure usually hidden below.
Location: City of Cape Town
Inception: 1913
Address: Rhodes Drive
Opening Hours: October-March 08:00-19:00; April-September 08:00-18:00
Phone: +27217998899
Website: https://sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch
GPS coordinates: -33.98750,18.43250
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:00
These botanical gardens are research centers with greenhouses, plant collections and exhibitions. They maintain native and exotic plant species in designed gardens. The grounds present different climate zones with corresponding vegetation, from tropical rainforests to desert plants. Visitors find scientific information about botany.
This collection features gardens across all continents, illustrating the diversity of world flora and landscape art across eras. It includes European formal gardens, such as those of Versailles with their geometric perspectives and fountains, as well as contemporary creations like Gardens by the Bay in Singapore with its futuristic structures. Scientific botanical gardens coexist with areas dedicated to seasonal blooms, like Keukenhof in the Netherlands with its millions of spring tulips. Each site reflects its natural environment and cultural heritage. The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden displays over 7,000 species of South African flora, while the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech combines exotic plants with colorful architecture typical of the Maghreb. Urban gardens such as those in Luxembourg, Paris, and Brooklyn, New York, demonstrate how these green spaces enhance city life. The selection also includes several UNESCO World Heritage sites, acknowledging their recognized historical and botanical significance worldwide.
From the windy tip of the Cape to the blue line of the Drakensberg, South Africa stacks landscapes that do not resemble each other. A morning on Table Mountain, an evening facing the whales of Hermanus, and between them red trails, deep canyons, lagoons, vineyards, and reserves where large animals pass through. Kruger opens its roads at dawn, Pilanesberg sketches an ancient crater, iSimangaliso blends reefs and wetlands. Further afield, the rugged coast preserves its cliffs, the Richtersveld its succulent deserts, and the Valley of Desolation its frozen lava columns. Here, travel is at eye and light level, to the rhythm of a vast land that changes its face at every turn.
Cape Town progresses between sea and mountains with a pace that varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. As soon as you follow the Atlantic coast, the air becomes cooler, and then the city broadens towards the peaks where trails climb along rocky slopes. You then pass through older streets with colorful facades that catch the eye before reaching gardens stretching at the foot of Table Mountain. The recent history remains very present, and the traces of apartheid can still be felt when visiting the island where many political prisoners were held. Markets bring a lively, bustling atmosphere, much like the beaches where swimmers and marine animals mingle. This selection highlights places that define Cape Town’s spirit, allowing you to explore the city through its panoramas, neighborhoods, and heritage.
Devil's Peak
3.7 km
Groote Schuur
3.9 km
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
4.7 km
Rhodes Memorial
4.6 km
Maclear's Beacon
2.4 km
Disa Park
5.1 km
Baxter Theatre Centre
4.9 km
Groote Schuur Zoo
3.7 km
Maynardville Open-Air Theatre
3.7 km
Montebello Design Centre
3 km
Wynberg Park
2.5 km
Waterworks Museum
2.7 km
Keurboom Park
4.5 km
Rondebosch Library
4.7 km
De Hel Nature Area
3 km
Bolus Herbarium
4.4 km
Statue of Cecil Rhodes
4.3 km
Vredenhof
4 km
The Woolsack
4.6 km
Sarah Baartman Hall
4.2 km
Queen's Blockhouse
4.9 km
King's Blockhouse
4.4 km
Summer House
4.4 km
Skeleton Gorge
1.5 km
The Alphen Boutique Hotel & Spa
3.3 km
Fernwood Peak
2.3 km
Castle Rock (Table Mountain)
1.4 km
Welgelegen
4.9 kmReviews
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