Kirstenbosch is a must-see for every plant-enthusiastic. It specializes on the indigenous flora of the Cape area. The Gardes consist of a large estate covered in the typical fynbos, a mixture of smaller shrubs and flowering plants, and a cultivated area, with theme gardens. These include:

A water-wise garden, that demonstrates how to create a garden in need of far less water and maintenance than conventional gardens, no luxury during the dry African summer. A fragrance garden, with a selection of specially fragrant plants, and plants with special textures. A medicinal garden, demonstrating the medicinal qualities of the plants of South Africa. A protea garden, displaying many varieties of South Africa's national bush. This part of the Garden is most magnificent in winter and spring, when the proteas, conebushes and serrurias are in flower.

In the conservatory you can find plants that cannot be grown outdoors in the Cape area. Plants that require dry desert air, cold mountain air, or a damp and shady atmosphere are grown here. The main attraction is a medium sized baobab tree (well, medium sized for a baobab).

The Kirstenbosch Gardens are open every day of the year. Special tours can be taken, theme walks, and guided tours.

entrance fee

R15 for adults and R5 for scholars.

Botanical Society members have free entry and senior citizens have free entry on Tuesdays.

7 hours

The streets, squares, monuments and memorials of historic Cape Town provide the setting for the first part of your tour. Here, on the Footsteps to Freedom City Walk ©, look back in time at how Africa, Asia and Europe conspired to create cosmopolitan Cape Town. Absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of the city. This leisurely stroll incorporates most of the significant historic attractions in central Cape Town such as Greenmarket Square, the Grand Parade, Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, District Six Museum, Slave Lodge, Parliament, Company's Garden and St George's Anglican Cathedral. (Tour enters the District Six Museum and St George's Anglican Cathedral). After a break for a light lunch at one of the sidewalk cafes (not included), set off for the township of Langa. Here you can look forward in time as you walk and talk with Xhosas of the Cape. Hear about their rites and rituals, culture and traditions, challenges and dreams. See their children, homes, churches, feel and smell township life. This tour is not about rushing around the Cape Flats ticking township names off a list. Rather, to pause, engage and interact. Your journey is about connecting and reflecting, and most importantly it is about people. The Footsteps Township Combination © tour starts at the official Cape Town Tourism Office. This is within easy walking distance of Foreshore hotels (10 minutes) and the V and A Waterfront (20 minutes). Undercover parking is available at the nearby Picbel Parkade in Strand Street. Tours depart in all weather conditions - fair and foul, please dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes. Click here for more information and Booking Details

The first thing that springs to mind when thinking of Cape Town is perhaps Table Mountain. This remarkable lump of rock right in the middle of town is hard to miss. There are several myths connected with Table Mountain. For example, legend tells of an old pirate, Jan van Hunks, who after ritiring spent most of his time smoking his pipe outside his house on Devil's peak. One night a mysterious stranger came up to him and asked for some tobacco. After bragging a bit about their pipe smoking talents, they started a smoking contest thet lasted for four days. Van Hunks eventually beat the stranger. Unfortunately, that stranger turned out to be the devil, and they both dissapeared in a puff of smoke. The thick layer of smoke left over from their contest still covers Table Mountain on a regular basis and is called the Table Cloth.

The best way to get a great view over Cape Town and its surroundings is to climb Table Mountain. There is an easy way and a harder way to do this.

The easy way is to take the cable lift up. It's relatively fast, and sweat free.

If you want a phisical challange as well as a good view, you can take one of the hiking tracks up the mountain. They can be found in several places, one of them right behind the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It's a pretty steep climb, but the path is very clear, and you won't easily get lost. Because it's so steep you will have a beautifull view of the city and the sea for most of the way up. Depending on how fit you are, it's a 1-2 hour climb.

On top of Table Mountain, you can enjoy a cold drink from the bar, look at the 'klipdassies' (hyraxes, small rodents) and take in the view.