Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town

Did you know the world’s first indigenous botanical gardens were created in Cape Town, South Africa?

It is true.

In 1913 the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

were created

on the gentle slopes of Table Mountain.

Let’s explore them.

(Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.)

 

Kirstenbosch Gardens are part of the CFR.

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is a World Heritage Site...

the only natural World Heritage Site to include a botanical gardens.

So what is a floral region?

And what is so special about this floral region that qualifies it for a World Heritage designation?

This display at the gardens helps me with those questions…

The garden is organized according to plant type and is beautifully laid out.

As we wander the extensive grounds we are constantly presented with beauty…

And we learn a lot. For example, do you know what kind of tree this is?

I knew it was native to South Africa (and I knew that because the plants in these gardens are indigenous to this region) but I did not know the name of it until I read this sign.

Fever Tree!! 

But not to worry. We learned the name comes from its use in treating (not causing) malaria.

Aside: Kirstenbosch is also a research facility of international renown.

There are some displays that have cut flowers.

Remember you can click the photo to enlarge it!

I recall seeing the protea plant (bottom left above) in the wild when we were down near the Cape of Good Hope.

We shared the gardens with a few roving guinea hens (above)

and some Egyptian geese.

I thought the Egyptian geese were rather attractive but our excellent guide (Hein) does not think much of them. Says hundreds of them roost in his roof top and make horrid noises. Guess I can see his point!

Throughout the gardens we encounter strategically placed art works…

This one took me for a bit of a surprise!

But this one did not…

This bust of Nelson Mandela stands beside the pepper bark tree

he planted here during a 1996 visit.

A special plant was created for Mandela…

Shall we explore and see if we can find an example of it?

Want to explore more of South Africa? Just click here.

and/or

To explore other parts of the world. Click here.

Happy Travels! 

Aside: Since our visit to Kirstenbosch a new Centenary Tree Canopy walkway has been added.

Perhaps we will be lucky enough to visit it one day!