It is a big and very beautiful garden, a short distance from the centre of the city. But you can easily get there, either by taxi or by the famous "City Sightseeing" red buses, with the added value of a commentary of the city. You can even take the bus back to city centre at no additional cost, as the ticket is good for the whole day!
I really liked the different sections of the garden, harmoniously laid out, with the imposing silhouette of the Table Mountain as a backdrop. If you arrive in springtime, you will see magnificent flowers lighting up the Namaqualand desert to the north. And as you stroll down the alleys, you will find many shady places to pause, as benches are placed either along the path or tucked away in a thicket or under a flowering tree.
If you are sporty or more adventurous, you may decide to proceed along the path that climbs up to the mountain overlooking the garden. Walking at a leisurely pace, it will take you an hour to reach the summit (bearing the sweet name "Skeleton Gorge"). From there, you will have an unobstructed view of the whole town at your feet, and access to extremely diversified and original flora in a UNESCO World Heritage site. Isn't that fantastic?
It is a big and very beautiful garden, a short distance from the centre of the city. But you can easily get there, either by taxi or by the famous "City Sightseeing" red buses, with the added value of a commentary of the city. You can even take the bus back to city centre at no additional cost, as the ticket is good for the whole day!
I really liked the different sections of the garden, harmoniously laid out, with the imposing silhouette of the Table Mountain as a backdrop. If you arrive in springtime, you will see magnificent flowers lighting up the Namaqualand desert to the north. And as you stroll down the alleys, you will find many shady places to pause, as benches are placed either along the path or tucked away in a thicket or under a flowering tree.
If you are sporty or more adventurous, you may decide to proceed along the path that climbs up to the mountain overlooking the garden. Walking at a leisurely pace, it will take you an hour to reach the summit (bearing the sweet name "Skeleton Gorge"). From there, you will have an unobstructed view of the whole town at your feet, and access to extremely diversified and original flora in a UNESCO World Heritage site. Isn't that fantastic?
I am not a lover of plants at all and I like gardens even less. I went to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden by pure chance but I don't regret my decision at all. From the first step, I felt like I was in another world. You are infinitely small in the middle of this exuberant nature. I discovered Southern African plants which I didn't even know existed and I learned a lot in just a day.
I loved walking on a suspended bridge in part of the park, which offered a splendid view of Table Mountain. I surprised myself by taking photos of flowers for long hours. During a walk in the primal forest, I was even able to see an owl, perched on a tree.
In summer, the town organises a series of open-air concerts, from the end of November to the start of April. It is possible to spend the whole day visiting the garden then go to a concert at the start of the evening.
I am not a lover of plants at all and I like gardens even less. I went to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden by pure chance but I don't regret my decision at all. From the first step, I felt like I was in another world. You are infinitely small in the middle of this exuberant nature. I discovered Southern African plants which I didn't even know existed and I learned a lot in just a day.
I loved walking on a suspended bridge in part of the park, which offered a splendid view of Table Mountain. I surprised myself by taking photos of flowers for long hours. During a walk in the primal forest, I was even able to see an owl, perched on a tree.
In summer, the town organises a series of open-air concerts, from the end of November to the start of April. It is possible to spend the whole day visiting the garden then go to a concert at the start of the evening.
