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Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Western Cape  >  South Africa

Great botanical garden with a rich biodiversity right at the foot and the eastern slope of the famous Table Mountain.

Ajouté* par MarioC
Dernière actualisation 10 janvier 2025

Description

The Kirstenbosch estate covers 528 hectares, of which 36 hectare is cultivated and the rest is a protected area supporting natural forest and fynbos, and a wide variety of indigenous birds, animals, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates. The natural area can be explored via a number of walks and trails. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is adjacent to the Table Mountain National Park, and both form part of the Cape Floristic Region Protected Area that was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Birds are abundant at Kirstenbosch, particularly in the Garden – more than 125 species have been recorded. Look out for Cape Sugarbird, with its distinctive long tail, Sunbirds with their colourful plumage and African Dusky Flycatcher which is frequently seen swooping down from the trees to catch flying insects. You may also see Steppe Buzzard flying high overhead. The resident Spotted Eagle-Owl is often seen near the Dell. Guinea Fowl, Egyptian Geese and Cape Francolin are a common sight throughout the Garden.

Détails

Accès

Kirstenbosch lies 13 km from Cape Town’s city centre, well signposted on all major roads. From the city, take De Waal Drive (M3) in the direction of Muizenberg, at the Rhodes Drive (M63) traffic light intersection turn right (west/towards the mountain) and follow the signs to Kirstenbosch. Free parking is available. You can access the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden from the huge parking lot right in front of the main entrance. Press P on the map for directions. Entry fee is R230 (2025). The garden is open every day from 08h00 to 19h00 during summer (Sep-Mar), 08h00 to 18h00 during winter (Apr-Aug).

The Kirstenbosch estate can be explored via five trails, of differing levels of difficulty. All are well-maintained, logged footpaths or gravel roads and are sign-posted. The Braille Trail and Boekenhout Trail are ideal forest walks for those pressed for time and the not so fit. The Stinkwood Trail is a relatively short exploration of the oldest part of the forest with some of the largest trees. The Yellowwood Trail and Silvertree Trail are long hikes that take you up to the waterfall and around the estate, through both forest and fynbos.

It is possible to climb Table Mountain from Kirstenbosch, up Nursery Ravine or Skeleton Gorge. Find out more about the geology of Kirstenbosch and learn to identify the different rock types that can be seen on the trails.

Terrain et Habitat

Forêt , Montagnes

Conditions

Montagneux , Plat , Vallonné

Boucle

Oui

Avez-vous besoin d'une longue-vue?

Non

Saison idéale pour observer

Toute l'année

Itinéraire

Sentier large

Niveau de difficulté de l'itinéraire

Durée de la marche

Accessible via

A pied

Observatoire/hutte d'observation

Non

Informations supplémentaires

The tree top walk called "Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway" is a great place to watch birds from a higher perspective.

Liens

Voir les sites d'observation voisins publiés sur Birdingplaces

Carte

Top 5 oiseaux

Autres oiseaux que vous pouvez observer ici

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