Established in 1913, in order to promote and conserve the endemic flora of the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa by Dr Harold Pearson, who died in 1916 and was buried in the gardens, with government approval and a grant of £1000 pa. Acclaimed internationally as one of the best botanical gardens in the world, it forms a part of the Table Mountain Heritage Site.
The garden was initially started by Commander Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and he appointed the first forester Leedert Cornelissen in 1657, to protect and supply the VOC with timber for the repair of ships and as firewood. In 1660 JVR planted a Wild Almond hedge to mark the boundary of the settlement, sections of this hedge are still in existence today. He cultivated wheat lands, chestnut, fruit, oak trees & 1000 “Muscat d’ Alexandrie” vines on his own farm bordering on Kirstenbosch.
In 1806, Colonial secretary Henry Alexander & his Deputy Colonel Christopher Bird bought Kirstenbosch. Bird built a bath in the shape of a bird still visible, in the Dell. Sometime in the 1800’s, it was bought by the Cloete family of Groot Constantia.
In 1895 it was bought by Cecil John Rhodes for £9000 and he planted a row of Camphor trees in anticipation of a visit by Queen Victoria. He bequeathed the estate to the nation on his death in 1902.
In 1913 Prof. H. Pearson became the first director and established the Cycad Collection, later Mr J.W. Mathews was appointed its first curator and he laid out the gardens including the Dell, the Koppie, cycads, the main lawns, vygie beds and the Mathews Rockery. Kirstenbosch is a living museum of the Cape Floral Kingdom & play an important role in the conservation of the regions’ Floral Bio-diversity.
Kirstenbosch is part of a 528ha estate situated on the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain and covers 36ha. There are several societies and institutions housed at Kirstenbosch i.e. the Old mutual Conference & Exhibition Center, The Curio & Bookshop, The Moyo Restaurant, a Research Center, The Botanical Society SA etc.
The Gardens include “Fynbos” – Proteoid, Erica, Restiod & Geophyte varieties endemic to the Peninsula; a Fragrance Garden; The Braille Trail; useful Medicinal plants; The “Bird” Bath; Mathews Rockery; Fynbos Walk; a Canopy Walk etc.
During the summer season, Kirstenbosch hosts open air concerts of various local artists and on occasion from abroad.
There are various walking and hiking trails that start or end in the Gardens.
Locals and visitors alike enjoy picnicking on the vast expanse of lawns in the gardens. Picnic baskets can be ordered from the restaurant.
From time to time there are art exhibitions. Currently, there is a “Dinosaur Park exhibited in the Cycad Garden.
Visitors are requested not to litter but to remove it at the end of their visit.