High on our list of places to see in Cape Town was the world-famous Kirstenbosch Gardens. In 2015, the International Garden Tourism Awards Body declared Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens the International Garden of the Year. There is a hedge of wild almond trees that has been here since 1660!
The Gardens are nestled on the east side of Table Mountain and rise from the lowlands up to a few hundred feet on the side of the mountain. Trails criss-cross the gardens and you can even follow one up to the top of Table Mountain.
Of course we were most interested in seeing the local flora, things we wouldn’t necessarily see at home. Like these King protea, which are the national flower of South Africa.
Aloe grows wild (and big!) here.
This is known as a Silver tree, because when the sun hits the leaves they shimmer like silver.
This was a beautiful flowering bush known as a Geelblombos.
This plant felt like soft heather when you touched it. It’s called Feather Head.
This was a gorgeous plant that bloomed with both orange and white flowers. It’s called Lion’s Ear and is reputed to have narcotic properties. It is smoked and chewed by some Khoisan people of South Africa.
The gardens has a canopy walk that allows you to walk at the tree-top level through part of the park. The views were wonderful!
This turned out to be our favorite stop in Cape Town. We can only imagine what they are like in spring.
If you’re ever here, don’t miss the Kirstenbosch Gardens.
