Home to indigenous South African plants, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are nestled on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. 36 hectares of cultivated area showcase everything from medicinal to scented species. Learn how to conserve water at the Water-wise Garden.
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 many of the others.
The park only features indigenous South African plants and the 36 hectares of cultivated gardens are set in a further 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. As well as the water-wise garden showing how water conservation need not cramp a gardener's style, there's 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, or reeds.