By Vicky · Published Jan. 30th, 2026
This guide to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden lists the best things to do and what not to miss in the beautiful gardens.
Page Contents:
Location
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is located in Cape Town on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. There’s a large car park at the entrance, or you can take an Uber from downtown, or ride the Hop-On Hop-Off City Bus* which stops here.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Map
Tips
- Open 8am-7pm in summer (Sep-Mar) and 8am-6pm in winter (Apr-Aug).
- Tickets cost R250/100 for foreigners/South Africans, with discounts for students and children. Note that you cannot pay by cash – only by card onsite, or online in advance.
- For more fun guides and hikes, check our South Africa page.
Things to do at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
What can you do at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden?
- Go on a walk
- Have a picnic
- Take a guided tour
- Watch for birds
- Enjoy the restaurants/cafes
- Listen to a concert
1. Go on a Walk
The best way to explore Kirstenbosch Gardens is to walk around. There are many, many paths and trails, some large and some small, so there is something for everyone. You can walk far, or you can just walk a short distance, though there are several things not to miss
Guide to Things Not to Miss in Kirstenbosch
- Boomslang Bridge, also known as the Tree Canopy Bridge. This is a raised walkway through the trees, with great views of Table Mountain and the rest of Kirstenbosch Gardens.
- Dinosaurs in the Cycad Garden. There are several fun dinosaur sculptures in the Cycad Garden, or Cycad Amphitheatre. This is a very fun part of the garden, for children and adults alike. The topography is interesting, the cycads look super cool, and you’ll stumble across the dinosaurs.
- Van Riebeeck’s Hedge. This is the remains of the original hedge planted by Van Riebeeck (the Dutch ‘founder’ of Cape Town) in 1660. It is made of wild almond trees and spiky shrubs, designed to mark the boundary of the Dutsch settlement and prevent livestock raids by the locals.
2. Have a Picnic
There are some lovely open grassy spaces, and plenty of benches to sit on to enjoy a picnic. Stop at a supermarket beforehand and bring a rug to sit on! This is a very popular activity in Kirstenbosch Gardens, and on summer weekends the shady spots quickly get taken, so arrive early!
3. Take a Guided Tour
On weekdays, there are free guided tours at 10am, 11am and 2pm (the first Monday of the month has no morning tours). They leave from the Visitor’s Centre and up to 15 people can join on a first-come, first-served basis. These tours last roughly 90 minutes and are highly recommended, so get there early to grab a spot!
4. Watch for Birds
There are plenty of birds in Kirstenbosch gardens, get a beginner’s Bird Guide* to discover what they are and tick them off when you spot them! There are a huge variety of birds here, located all around the gardens. Sit still on a bench in a quiet corner, and just see how many you can identify! Even just walking along, you will see colourful flashes as colourful sunbirds dart about, searching for flowers
5. Enjoy the Restaurants/Cafes
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens hosts three restaurants:
- MOYO at Kirstenbosch: a slightly posh restaurant with delicious food and a lovely outside terrace with great views. Prices are reasonable, especially coming from Europe or the US!
- Fynkos Kirstenbosch Tea Room: a casual restaurant that also serves lite-bites, cakes, main meals and more, all tasty and at reasonable prices.
- Vida e Cafè at Kirstenbosch: part of a chain, this cafe serves hot drinks, cakes, wraps and other cold meals. There’s less of a vibe here than at the other two places, so it should be your last choice if you want a special drink or meal.
6. Listen to a Concert
In summer, the garden hosts the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts; see the lineup here! These are super fun, relaxed events featuring famous local bands from across South Africa and sometimes beyond. Bring a picnic blanket, and get there early to secure a good spot! Remember that as the sun sets, it can get cold, so don’t forget something warm to wear.
The Best Accommodation in Cape Town
Self-Catering
Cheap: Cape Town Micro Apartments*: Small, but with everything you need to cook for yourself and enjoy a stay in Cape Town. Located in a trendy neighbourhood that’s popular with students from the University of Cape Town.
Moderate: Habitat Aparthotel by Totalstay*: Clean apartments with all the essentials in a high-rise with a rooftop terrace with mountain views. There’s also a gym and it’s close to many supermarkets and restaurants in the centre of Cape Town.
Cheap Hostel
Never at Home Green Point*: Near the V&A Waterfront, this hostel offers dorms or twin rooms and a pool, with organised group activities every day. There’s a bar and a chillout space, making it a great place to meet fellow travellers.
Comfort Guesthouse
Cactusberry Lodge*: A great location in a safe and quiet area of central Cape Town. There are nice rooms, a sun terrace and a delicious breakfast included.
Luxury Hotel
Large: InterContinental Table Bay*: A great location on the waterfront with fantastic views, a huge pool, fancy restaurant, comfortable rooms and a delicious breakfast. With a spa and gym, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Boutique: The Cellars-Hohenort*: In the city, yet feels like the winelands, with gorgeous gardens, a small vineyard, two beautiful swimming pools, a tennis court and a spa. With a fine-dining restaurant on-site, it’s also close to other renowned restaurants and wine farms, plus it’s close to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Recommended Guidebook
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. For more hikes and activities, check out our Guide to South Africa.
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