South Africa’s natural beauty is a pillar of pride and joy and the world has long recognised the country’s wealth of flora.
International travel magazine Atlas Obscura asked their readers in a community forum to vote for their favourite botanical gardens around the world and ‘the replies just burst into bloom’.
‘From university gardens to green spaces at the top of the world, our users shared some amazing places, and we wish we could get to each and every one,’ Atlas Obscura said.
The list mentions 13 botanical gardens in no particular order, and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden featured with the likes of Akureyri Botanical Garden in Iceland and the United States Botanic Garden in Washington DC.
‘Kirstenbosch Garden in Cape Town is high on my list. I’ve been to Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, but even in winter that South African beauty took my breath away with the myriad protea species!’ said reader kumalavula.
The Garden has also been awarded other more formal accolades, including level 4 accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum.
This is the highest level of accreditation, positioning Kirstenbosch as one of 30 gardens in the world to have this status.
The two main vegetation types in the Garden are fynbos and forest, and all can be explored through a number of trails and walkways.
The Garden is currently open for visitors and entry costs are as follows:
- Adults: R75
- South African Students (with student card): R40
- Scholars/Learners (6 – 17 years): R20
- Children under 6 years: Free
- BotSoc members (with membership card): Free
- South African Senior Citizens (with ID): Free on Tuesdays except on public holidays
- Buy entry tickets online at WebTickets.
Take a look at the magnificent Garden and all it has to offer:
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Picture: Twitter/KirstenboschNBG
