KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

Description

Essentials about the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in brief

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, located in the Newlands district of Cape Town on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world, and is therefore recommended even to vacationers who are not normally very fond of plants. Kirstenbosch is located in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the very few botanical zones in the world with an exceptionally large variety of flora and fauna in a relatively small area. In 2004, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden therefore became the first botanical garden in the world to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

The history of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Historically, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden goes back to Jan van Riebeeck, the Dutch founder of the Cape Colony, who had a strip-shaped land defense consisting of hedges with wild almond trees and brambles erected around 1660 as a protective measure against indigenous land users. The background to this decision was increasing conflict between the indigenous Khoikhoi and Dutch settlers over cattle grazing claimed by both sides. The land was later acquired by Cecil Rhodes, the mining magnate as well as premier of the Cape Province, and given to the state after his death in 1902. Rhodes had purchased the area in 1895 to protect it from settlement.

In 1913, the Botanical Gardens were finally established to preserve the unique biodiversity of the Cape region. This principle is still maintained today by displaying only native plants. The number of native plant species to be discovered is estimated at about 7,000. For the naming of the garden serves the reference to an early farmer Jan Frederik Kirsten, whose farm was located here. The first curator was the Briton Joseph William Mathews, who brought his professional experience from the Royal Botanic Gardens in London and who is considered the founder of floriculture in South Africa.

The grounds of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

One of the special features of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is its great difference in altitude. At the foot of Table Mountain, the garden begins at a sea level of about 100 meters and stretches up the slope to almost 1,000 meters. The different altitudes of the garden guarantee a huge variety of plants. The core area of the botanical garden covers about 36 hectares. However, the extended protected area around the garden has an area of over 600 hectares.

The flora of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

In addition to beds for the typical South African silver tree plants (Proteaceae), the heathers (Erica), palm ferns (Cycadeae) and the Restionaceae, there is a large succulent bed, a rock garden, an arboretum, a useful plant section, a scent bed and a path for the blind. The “water-wise garden” is an effort to make water-efficient plants attractive to gardens. The greenhouse at the main entrance displays plants of the main vegetation types of South Africa, such as the Karoo, the Fynbos and the Savannah.

The hike from the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden to Table Mountain

The botanical garden’s newest attraction is the Tree Canopy Walkway, which opened in 2014. This is a 130-meter-long tree trail that leads through the treetops at a maximum height of 11 meters. From here, you also have fantastic views of Table Mountain and downtown Cape Town.

Speaking of Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is also a great starting point for a hike up Table Mountain. Several paths lead from the garden to the top. The most famous of the paths is the one through Skeleton Gorge. Heading north, you can also hike from the botanical garden along the Rhodes Memorial to the famous Devil’s Peak.

The concerts in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

And last but not least, it should be mentioned that the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden regularly hosts outdoor concerts in the summer. Over the years, the concert series in the garden has developed into one of the most successful open-air events in South Africa, which impresses with both the special location at the foot of Table Mountain and a very diverse musical program. On concert evenings, thousands of people equipped with blankets gather on a large grassy area in front of a stage. Thanks to the sloping surface, there is a good view of the action on stage even from further back. And what’s more, spectators are allowed to picnic during the concerts and consume spirits they’ve brought along themselves (which is otherwise forbidden in South Africa).