Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, lying on the slopes of the Table Mountain National Park, is one of the great botanic gardens of the world. They are part of the Cape Floristic Region Protected Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering 528 hectares, of which 36 are cultivated and the rest supporting natural forest and fynbos along with their wildlife inhabitants, the Kirstenbosch estate is unparallelled in terms of the grandeur of its setting. Walks and trails wind their way through this natural beauty, allowing you to explore to your heart’s content.

In the 17th and 18th centuries thousands of trees were felled for timber. Since the gardens were established in 1913, the natural forests have been protected, alien species eradicated, and the original forest left to recover naturally. Fynbos, including proteas, ericas and restios, is unique to the Table Mountain area and Kirstenbosch supports these 3 different varieties.

There is an abundance not only of plant life but also birds, insects and butterflies, including the resident Spotted Eagle Owl and the spectacular butterfly, the Table Mountain Beauty.

Most of the animals that live and breed in the Gardens are mostly active at dusk so are seldom seen.

The magnificent landscape of Kirstenbosch is perfect for both outdoor and indoor art exhibitions, sculptures, and dinosaurs! Five life-sized, anatomically correct dinosaurs and a pterosaur, sculptured in tin, hover among the cycads in the Cycad Amphitheatre. The picnic-style summer concerts are a delightful way to spend an evening surrounded by the impressive Cape Fold Mountain range, enjoying good food, wine and excellent music.