honeymoon in south africahoneymoon packages for south africaholiday in south africasouth africa traveltravel to south africahoneymoon package for south africanational parks in south africa HONEYMOONSPECIAL.NET'S HOME PAGE
 
about south africaexplore south africashopping in south africawildlife in south africaaccommodation in south africahoneymoon packages for south africa  
Language Translation :   south africa safari   Español   travel in south africa   Français   south africa holidays   Deutsch   big five of south africa   Italiano   hotels in south africa   Português

south africa hotels     safari in south africa   Print this page   wildlife reserves in south africa   Email this page
 
south africa tour
 
EXPLORE SOUTH AFRICA
 
honeymoon packages for south africa
 
TOURIST PLACES IN
SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg
Durban
Cape Town
 
WILDLIFE IN
SOUTH AFRICA
 
 
NATIONAL PARKS IN
SOUTH AFRICA
Karoo national park
Kruger national park
 
BOTANICAL GARDENS IN
SOUTH AFRICA
 
holiday in south africa
 
ACCOMMODATION IN
SOUTH AFRICA
Hotels in South Africa
Lodges in South Africa
Resorts in South Africa
Mountaineering
Fly Fishing
Golfing
 
hotels in south africa
 
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Lodges
Resorts
 
TOURIST INFORMATION
South Africa Map
Fast Facts
How to Reach
Currency Converter
 
travel to south africa
 
NEWSLETTER
 
Subscribe to honeymoonspecial.net
(enter email below)
 
 
 
south africa tours
 
 Explore
 
 You are here :: Home >> Explore >> Botanicals Gardens >> kirstenbosch National Botanical
 
Botanicals Gardens
 
 Kirstenbosch National Botanical
 
The Garden is a haven for vey rare or endangered plants and more than 300 protected species grow here. Many plants from arid areas are found in the Garden,namely Staelia spp., Haworthia spp.,Conophyttum spp and Karoo bulbs, all of which have specific climatic and soil requirements.This is why they benefit from the controlled conditions available in shady places and glasshouses where they can be viewed by special arrangements. Most of the plants are small shrubs and 400 species of higher plants have been recorded as growing naturally in the Garden. Seventy species of birds live in the Garden,as well as a wide range of small mammals, reptiles and insects. Visitors are often treated to the sight of hares, dassies, Cape grey duikers (a small buck),and vlei rats, which build beaver-like nests in the mesem bushes. Guided tours are conducted, but prior arrangements should be made with the curator.There also is a kiosk where soft drinks can be bought.
Admission
The Garden is open throughout the year, from 8h00 to18h00. Entry is free on weekdays but a small fee is charged over weekends and public holidays. Concessions are granted to scholars, students and pensioners. page 10 World renowned for its beauty and the diversity of the Cape flora on display, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is set against the magnificent eastern slopes of Table Mountain, in the City of Cape Town.

The Garden covers 528 hectares and only houses plants indigenous to South Africa. Although most of the plants hail from the winter rainfall region, there are also many species from the summer rainfall region as well as from drier areas. The careful selection of plant varieties has made it possible to have flowers blooming throughout the year. The Garden was originally purchased by Cecil John Rhodes to preserve the eastern slope of Table Mountain for South Africans. In 1902, when he died, Rhodes bequeathed Kirstenbosch to the nation. In 1913, the National Botanical Gardens were established to research and protect the indigenous flora of southern Africa.

In 1989, the Garden became part of the National Botanical Institute. Just above the cultivated Garden, the eastern slopes, which are covered in natural forest fynbos, are accessible through the Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorge. Visitors who would like to know more about the Garden are encouraged to follow the various theme walks. Informative tours are conducted by knowledgeable guides, but only on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11h00. Bookings and special interest tours may be arranged by appointment. The Garden offers various special features such as the 15-minute Braille trail outlined by a rope. Annotated labels in Braille and large print enable the blind to experience the Garden in their own way. The trail also makes it possible to touch and smell the plants. The Indigenous Herb Garden includes only plants that are used for their medicinal, culinary or aromatic properties. The Dell and Colonel Bird’s Bath is the oldest section of the Garden. The Colonel’s Bath, roughly bird-shaped and made of Batavian type bricks, is at the centre of the Dell.
 
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
 
The Bath is fed by four pure, ice-cold springs. Local stone has been used to create a habitat for ferns and other plants that need shade. The Cycad Amphitheatre houses a large collection of cycads, palm-like in appearance. They were the first collection of plants to be planted in the Garden. The Pelargonium Koppie (or hillock) is a rocky hillock on which a Pelargonium collection, as well as many bulbs and drought-resistant plants, grow. The Fynbos Walk leads through the three fynbos gardens: the Erica Garden, the Protea Garden and the Restio (Reed) Garden, providing visitors with an overview of the plants of the Fynbos Floral Kingdom. The J W Mathews Rockery was constructed of local sandstone to provide a habitat for plants from more arid regions, such as Aloes, Crassulas and Euphorbias.

The scents in the Buchu Garden emanate from the flowers during late winter and spring, but also from the leaves of the plants. A pleasant stroll through the historic Camphor Avenue provides welcome shady relief from
the hot summer sun. Access to the Vlei (Marsh) Garden may be gained via the boardwalk. This natural seep area is rich in animal and plant life. More than 2 500 species of plants which are indigenous to the Cape Peninsula grow in the Peninsula Section of the Garden. The Visitors Centre at the entrance includes an Information Desk, the Kirstenbosch Shop, the Botanical Bookshop and a Coffee Shop.
 
Admission
The Garden is open throughout the year, with the exception of Christmas and Easter. The gates are open from 08h00 to 19h00 (September - March) and from 08h00 to 18h00 (April - August). A nominal entrance fee is charged. Senior citizens are allowed free access every Tuesday. The Garden equently hosts educational tours, especially during school terms.
 
BACK TO TOP
 
Other Botanicals Garden Topics
 
 
Other Explore Topics
 
 
 
 
You are here :: Home >> Explore >> Botanicals Gardens >> kirstenbosch National Botanical
About South Africa  ||  Explore South Africa  ||  Shopping in South Africa  ||  Wildlife in South Africa  ||  Accommodation in South Africa  ||  Honeymoon Packages for South Africa

About Us  ||  Acknowledgements   ||  Advertise Here  ||  Disclaimer  ||  Privacy Policy  ||  Terms of Use  ||  Contact Us  ||  Home  ||  Site Map
OUR OTHER WEBSITES
 
HONEYMOON IN INDIA HONEYMOON IN MALAYSIA HONEYMOON IN THAILAND HONEYMOON IN MAURITIUS HONEYMOON IN SINGAPORE
HONEYMOON IN AUSTRALIA HONEYMOON IN NEW ZELAND HONEYMOON IN SOUTH AFRICA HONEYMOON IN EUROPE  
 
All Copyrights Reserved By Sterling International    l    Site By McCoy