Cape Town Attractions

Venue: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens    When: Daily

Kirstenbosch, meaning "Kirsten's Forest," is one of South Africa's finest botanical gardens, nestling on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Its existence goes back to 1660, when a hedge of wild almond and brambles was planted to form the boundary of the entire colony.

In 1913 the area was marked out by the Government as the site for a new botanical garden and it has blossomed ever since! From Kirstenbosch you can walk up the eastern extent of Table Mountain - a much nicer route and less touristy than the usual one.

The park only features indigenous South African plants, with 36 hectares of cultivated gardens set in a further massive 492 hectares of natural forest and fynbos flora.

Visitors can search out more exotic South African blooms in the conservatory, which features plants from the high mountain peaks to hot, dry deserts. There's a water-wise garden showing how water conservation need not cramp a gardener's style, as well as a fragrance garden full of natural scents. In addition to a medicinal garden, there are two further specialist gardens, one devoted to proteas (distinctive South African shrubs with large, colourful, conelike heads) and the other to the restio family: reeds.

In addition there are the oldest parts of the garden to explore: The Dell, featuring Colonel's Bird Bath as well as tree ferns and shade-loving plants, and Van Riebeeck's hedge - the very one that was first planted in 1660 to protect cattle from Cape colonists!

Numerous events also take place in the gardens, including jazz concerts, orchid shows and garden shows.