Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden remains one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions, drawing local and international visitors to its gardens, walking trails, mountain views and visitor facilities.
For the 2026/27 period, tickets can be purchased online through Webtickets, while visitors should take note of the different admission rates based on residency, age and status.
To note: Cash payments no longer accepted at the garden.
Kirstenbosch entrance fees 2026/27
South African residents and SADC nationals aged 18 and older can enter for R110, provided they present acceptable proof of identification or residency.
The standard entrance fee for adults aged 18 and older visiting from countries outside Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is R270.
The fee structure is as follows:
South African residents claiming the discounted R110 rate can provide an ID, certified paper copy of an ID, electronic copy of an ID or a driver’s licence.
SANBI membership
Frequent visitors can also consider a SANBI Gardens Membership.
Annual membership costs:
Pensioners aged 60 and older require membership to enter every day, apart from days when they qualify for free Tuesday admission.
Kirstenbosch opening hours
The garden is open throughout the year, with opening hours changing according to the season.
Summer (September to March): 08:00 to 19:00 daily
Winter (April to August): 08:00 to 18:00 daily
The Conservatory is open every day from 09:00 to 17:00.
The Curator’s Office operates Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 16:20, excluding public holidays.
Getting to Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch is approximately 13km from Cape Town’s city centre and is accessible by car and sightseeing bus.
Drivers travelling from the city can take the M3 De Waal Drive towards Muizenberg and turn onto Rhodes Drive (M63) at the traffic-light intersection, following the signs towards Kirstenbosch.
Free parking is available at Gates 1, 2 and 3.
Visitors can also use the City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus, which stops at Kirstenbosch as part of its Mini Peninsula Tour.
During summer, the service stops at the garden 15 times a day, while there are 12 stops a day during winter.
The first bus arrives at approximately 09:50, with services running every 20 minutes in summer and every 35 minutes in winter. The final bus arrives at approximately 16:20.
Wheelchair accessibility
Kirstenbosch provides wheelchair access at its main visitor facilities, including entrance gates, restaurants, shops and venues.
However, visitors should be aware that the garden is located on a steep gradient, meaning some areas are difficult or impossible to access by wheelchair.
More accessible areas include the surroundings of the Visitors’ Centre and Main Lawn, the Conservatory, parts of the Dell, Useful Plants, Fragrance Garden, Peninsula Garden, Water-wise Garden and Sculpture Garden.
Wheelchair users may require assistance in steeper areas, including the Tree Canopy Walkway, Fynbos Walk, Protea Garden, Erica Garden, Van Riebeeck’s Hedge, Camphor Avenue and the concert area.
The Mathews Rockery, Cycad Amphitheatre, Arboretum and Pelargonium Koppie are not wheelchair accessible because of steps, rocky or mulch paths and steep gradients.
Dedicated wheelchair parking bays and stop-and-drop areas are available at Gates 1 and 2, while Gate 3 also has a stop-and-drop zone.
Important information for visitors
With cash payments no longer accepted, visitors should plan ahead before arriving at Kirstenbosch.
For South Africans, the R110 discounted admission makes the garden considerably more affordable than the standard international rate, but visitors must have acceptable identification or proof of residency to qualify.
For families, children under six can enter free, while admission for children aged six to 17 is R40.
With its year-round opening, free parking and extensive gardens and visitor facilities, Kirstenbosch remains a popular option for both Cape Town residents and tourists looking for a day out in one of the city’s most iconic natural attractions.
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