Kirstenbosch offers some of South Africa's most awe-inspiring natural landscapes
Experience the botanical splendor of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, an enchanting oasis showcasing South Africa’s vibrant indigenous flora set against the breathtaking backdrop of Table Mountain.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Given to the government by Cecil John Rhodes and nurtured into a flourishing botanical garden by Harold Pearson in 1913, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of South Africa’s most precious pieces of land, incorporated into the Cape Floristic Region, and officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The gardens, spanning an awe-inspiring 528 hectares, are home to over 7000 species of plants native to southern Africa. Table Mountain provides shelter to Kirstenbosch’s plethora of outdoor wonders, which include a medicinal garden, a braille trail and a Protea garden. Whilst local species feature most prominently throughout the carefully curated grounds, Kirstenbosch also houses a number of plants found in Africa’s drier regions. These uniquely hardy species thrive in the Botanical Society Conservatory.
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Dining at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
The vastness of the gardens provides ample idyllic locations for picnics and outdoor dining. From romantic dinners beneath the stars to sun-drenched family feasts, picnicking at Kirstenbosch can be as luxurious as you’d like.
Visitors to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden can pick up hampers from the park’s on-site restaurants, and for takeaway coffee, the Vida e Caffe is an excellent choice.
If indoor dining is more your style, you’ll find an array of fantastic eateries scattered throughout the lush gardens. Moyo, a pan-continental African restaurant, is the ideal spot to grab a satisfying lunch whilst the Kirstenbosch Tea Room is the place to go for cucumber sandwiches and scones.
Art at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
The unspoiled natural beauty of Kirstenbosch provides the perfect backdrop to an array of cultural and artistic events throughout the year. World-class exhibitions are often featured in the grounds and Kirstenbosch does well in facilitating a calendar of events.
Inquisitive visitors will also find sculptural works scattered throughout Kirstenbosch, from commissioned artists as well as donors.
Next to a tree planted by Nelson Mandella during a 1996 visit sits a permanent sculpture of the revolutionary activist and politician. Sculpted by John Francis Gardner and donated to Kirstenbosch in 2010, it depicts Nelson Mandela during his pivotal years of presidency, designed to capture his radiant generosity and international adoration.
