BISHOPSCOURT // Kirstenbosch & Rhodes Memorial

KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS // RHODES MEMORIAL

The next morning I woke up early, made a cappuccino in my room and took my time getting ready.  It was going to be a full day.

The breakfast buffet has a little bit of everything, but I can never say no to French toast with bacon and maple syrup, so I ordered from the hot breakfast menu.  All dining tables face the mountain, which always warrants a double take.  It’s so close it surprises me every time!  

My view from the breakfast table

•••

Tessa recommended I walk to the world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (Six Unforgetable Experiences).  For garden lovers it’s an absolute must, and for everyone else I highly recommend it.  It’s one of South Africa’s 8 National Botanical Gardens and one of the “Seven Magnificent Botanical Gardens of the World”.  Its 828 hectares are filled with indigenous flora, birds and small mammals. It hosts lilies, protea (The King Protea is South Africa’s national flower), medicinal plants, succulents, cycads, tons of trees and an array of fynbos.  You can spend the day chasing guinea fowl and maybe even get lucky and see a bat-eared fox!

© Gardens to Visit

Protea flowers from my visit to Kirstenbosch

 For families there is a small rock pool for the kids to dip in.  Adults can pack a picnic to eat on the grass or dine in one of their many cafes or restaurants. 

It also houses various art exhibitions and events all year round in different areas throughout the gardens.  During summer they have a fun summer concert series that invites guests to tickle their ears on the grass in the gardens at night.

Sculpture on exhibit when I was at Kirstenbosch

I spent 3 hours walking through the different gardens.  I imagine it’s a totally different garden depending on what time of year you visit.  Spring must be exceptionally beautiful. 

Adventurous? There's a 5-hour hike to Table Mountain that starts at Kirstenbosch...but I'm saving Table Mountain for another day.  I decided to continue my day enjoying the view from a different mountain.

•••

Cecil John Rhodes was an English born South African politician.  One of his favorite places to escape to was a wooden bench on the lower slope of Devil's Peak, the mountain residing next to the famous Table Mountain.  Rhodes dreamt of an English- Africa.  Upon dying, Rhodes gave his land to the nation, and parts are now the University of Cape Town, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the rest undevelopment. 

Rhodes Memorial

His memorial was built in 1912, fashioned after a Greek temple and at the bottom sits Rhodes' original wooden thinking bench (fun fact: The memorial contains 49 steps- one for each year of Rhodes' life).  The view from Rhodes Memorial spans across the city, across the beach and over mountains.  Lucky for us there just happens to be a restaurant and tea garden nestled on the mountainside where you can enjoy reasonably priced lunches, snacks, hot drinks and fabulous Sunday brunches.  

You may also start a hike of Devil's Peak from just behind the memorial. I settled for hiking over to a table at the tea garden and ordering a baguette and coffee.  I watched two little boys chase each other around the garden and play in the fountain.  

After paying the bill, I wandered over to the actual memorial, walked down the 49 steps and joined everyone gawking at the city below.  I felt lucky.  Where else can you walk off breakfast in one of the world's best botanical gardens, enjoy a light lunch on a mountain and then gaze out across and ocean while being next to one of the 7 Wonders of Nature? Nowhere, only Cape Town. 

View from Rhodes Memorial Restaurant (Notice the slanted trees.  It's from the winds.)