Kirstenbosch at a glance
Kirstenbosch is a national botanical garden that sits under the slopes of Table Mountain, 13 km from the city centre. Most people come for the garden paths and the Boomslang tree canopy walkway. Some use the garden as the start of the Skeleton Gorge hike onto the mountain.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by the garden. The garden ticket is its own product, separate from the cableway and from the fees for the national park areas, so none of those tickets covers the others.
Kirstenbosch entry fees for 2026/27
Prices in rand per person. Cash is no longer accepted at the gate, and online tickets are sold through Webtickets.
| Visitor | Entry |
|---|---|
| Standard adult, from outside Africa or SADC | R270 |
| South African residents and SADC nationals, 18 and over, with proof | R110 |
| African nationals, 18 and over, with proof | R150 |
| Students and learners, 18 and over, at a South African institution, with ID | R60 |
| Children 6 to 17, all nationalities | R40 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
South African residents over 60 with an ID enter free on Tuesdays, except on public holidays.
Cape Town tours and day trips
Cableway tickets, Table Mountain hikes, Cape Point and city tours, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours and how to get there
Plan around the closing time, not just the opening time.
Garden hours
The garden is open every day from 08:00 to 19:00 from September to March, and from 08:00 to 18:00 from April to August. The conservatory is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.
By car
The garden is 13 km from the city centre, reached by the M3 and then the M63 turn-off into Rhodes Drive. Parking is free at Gates 1, 2 and 3. Traffic varies, so allow extra time.
By bus
The City Sightseeing bus stops at the Visitor Centre at Gate 1. Check the current fare and timetable before you go.
Boomslang: the tree canopy walkway
The Boomslang is the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, a steel and timber bridge through the arboretum. It is 130 m long and rises to a maximum of 12 m above the ground. It opened on 17 May 2014. It costs nothing extra on top of the normal garden ticket.
The walkway can be reached by wheelchair with help, but the approach paths are steep in places and some are mulch. The easiest approach is from Gate 3. This does not mean the whole garden is step-free, so ask at the gate if you need an easier route. Check on the day that the walkway is open.
Skeleton Gorge: the hike from Kirstenbosch
Skeleton Gorge is not a garden stroll. It is a steep mountain route that starts in the Fragrance Garden and climbs a ravine with ladders, sections along a stream bed and scrambles over rock. The route is also known as the Smuts Track. Allow about 5.5 hours for the whole climb and descent.
The path is slippery in winter and dangerous after heavy rain. You can come back the same way or descend through Nursery Ravine near Castle Rock. An extension leads to Maclear's Beacon, the highest point of the mountain, which is listed at about 1,086 m or 1,088 m. The 5.5 hours does not tell you how long it takes to reach the upper cableway station.
Because the start is inside the garden, the garden fee and hours apply. Be back before closing time and before dark. Read the safety guide and the hiking guide first.
Which ticket covers what
Three separate products around the mountain.
Garden ticket
It covers the garden, the canopy walkway and the start of the Skeleton Gorge route. It does not cover the cableway.
Cableway ticket
The cableway has its own prices and its own queue. See the cableway guide.
Park conservation fees
Areas such as Cape Point and Boulders charge fees of their own. Kirstenbosch and the cableway set their prices separately from the park fee list.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where Kirstenbosch fits.
Kirstenbosch: frequently asked questions
How much is Kirstenbosch?
For 2026/27 the standard adult ticket is R270. Residents of South Africa and SADC nationals pay R110 with proof, African nationals R150, students R60, and children from 6 to 17 pay R40. Under-6s are free.
What time does Kirstenbosch open and close?
Daily from 08:00 to 19:00 from September to March, and 08:00 to 18:00 from April to August. The conservatory opens from 09:00 to 17:00.
Is the Boomslang included in the ticket?
Yes. The canopy walkway costs nothing extra on top of the garden ticket.
Can I pay cash at the gate?
No. Cash is no longer accepted. Online tickets are sold through Webtickets.
Can I hike Skeleton Gorge to the cableway?
The route climbs the mountain from the garden. The time of about 5.5 hours covers the climb and the descent, so it does not tell you how long it takes to reach the cableway station. Check the weather, start early and read the safety guide.