This year, visitors to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden will get a chance to explore the rich diversity of the most beautiful garden in Africa via several events that will be held during its annual Winter Wonders special.
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The Winter Wonders special will be hosted from 24 June to 17 July 2023, and children younger than 17 years of age can attend free of charge. Here are all the things that you can do together as a family, as well as some fun activities for the kids:
Celebrate the International Day of Yoga
The consulate general of India will host a yoga session on the botanical garden lawns for both young and old.
- Cost: Garden entry fees apply
- Date: Saturday, 24 June
- Time: 10am to 11am
- Register: https://forms.gle/WGES9EYy4k5bMYvY9
DIY enchanted forest
This year, the Botanical Society of South Africa will host ‘enchanted forest’ workshops which promise to engage children’s imaginations as they learn all about the forest floor. Master horticulturist and ‘garden enchantress’ Cherise Viljoen will lead the workshops. All materials will be provided, and kids can take their creations home to nurture further. Bookings are essential as space is limited.
- Cost: R350 per child
- Date: Tuesday, 27 June | Monday, 10 July | Friday, 14 July
- Time: 10am to 12pm
- Contact: 021 671 5468 | [email protected]
Kids’ book reading series
This free book reading series will be hosted by Penguin Random House, featuring children’s authors Irene Berman, Nick Norman, Riaan Manser, Makhosi Dewette Dludla, and others. Kids can look forward to meeting beloved characters such as Peter Rabbit and Tippie. The book reading will be held outside the lounge space at the Kirstenbosch Bookshop in the visitor centre at Gate 1. In addition, kids can also look forward to a colouring competition – winners will be announced on Friday, 14 July. The colouring pages will be kept at the Kirstenbosch Bookshop. Once complete, the pages must be dropped into an entry box at the bookshop. Prizes include a goodie bag filled with books, stationery, and a Kirstenbosch Bookshop voucher.
The Kirstenbosch Bookshop will also offer a 15% discount on all children’s books and a 10% discount on selected books in-store during the Winter Wonders programme.
Date and times:
- Monday, 26 June, 10am to 11am | Nick Norman reading Box of Rocks
- Wednesday, 28 June, 12:30pm to 2pm | Riaan Manser reading My First Wild Island Adventure
- Friday, 30 June, 10:30am to 11:30am | Ben Hewett & Paddy Muldoon reading The Crystal Chronicles
- Monday, 3 July, 10am to 11am | Makhosi Dewette Dludla reading It’s Wonderful Me!
- Friday, 7 July, 10:30am to 11:15am | Irene Berman reading Flap! Rattle! Stomp! & Taka Wants to Fly
- Wednesday, 12 July, 10:30am to 11:30am | Mike Bruton reading The Amazing Coelacanth
Cape {town} Etc discount: Do you want to explore Cape Town, but don’t know where to start? Gain entry to any three attractions on offer with a Promo Pass for R150 (valued at R305). Get it here.
Discover the art of forest bathing
This 90-minute introductory forest bathing experience will be hosted by Forest Bathing Cape Town. The event is open to anyone aged 15 years and older. Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin Yoku, practices the art of slowing down and getting immersed in nature, benefitting both mental and physical well-being by reducing stress and anxiety.
- Cost: R250 per person | Garden entry fees not included
- Dates and times:
Tuesday, 27 June | 10am – 11:30am and 12:30pm to 2pm
Saturday, 1 July | 10am – 11:30am
Thursday, 6 July | 10am – 11:30am
Tuesday, 11 July | 10am – 11:30am and 12:30pm to 2pm - Contact: 082 658 6007 | [email protected]
Need a vehicle that fits your needs and your budget? Find car listings here.
Additionally, the red City Sightseeing bus is running a special offer for visitors to the botanical garden: two children can travel with one adult for just R49 per classic child ticket.
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is open every day from 8am to 6pm during winter. For more information, contact the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden information office at 021 799 8783 or 021 799 8773, or send an email to [email protected].
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Picture: Supplied