Apart from being a national treasure - and a famous entrant in the Chelsea Flower Show each year, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens & their helpful staff - are always looking for ways to attract visitors and share the splendour and magic of these gardens.

Every Summer, from about late November, till early April, Kirstenbosch Gardens plays host to the Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts - where you can bring a picnic basket, blanket and your favourite friends and family and enjoy some of the best local muso’s in the most awesome setting …

Booking is highly recommended as the concerts sell out like hot cakes (I know, I was very disappointed when I missed the Watershed concert in January!!)

Some of the line-ups for the rest of this season are:

8 March: The Rudimentals

29 March: The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra

The concerts take place from 17h30 - 18h30 (although the concert area opens at 15h30). Ticket prices are very reasonable - this season’s prices are: Adults: R70/R50, Society members : R50/R40, Scholars (6-17 years) : R40/R30.

Online tickets are available from Tunegum.

Some other events & happenings in the pipeline are:

CHARLIE DIMMOCK TALK

Behind the scenes of BBC Ground Force with Charlie Dimmock with introduction by Tanya Visser.

Date: 26 March 2009
Time: 09h30 for 10h00
Venue: Old Mutual Conference Centre
Price: R150,00
Ticket sales: Kirstenbosch Ticket Office in the Visitors Centre

ROOM TO GROW - WEDNESDAY 10h30 TALKS

11 March: Donovan Gillman (owner: Room to Grow) - “Gardening with succulents”

25 March: Adam Harrower (Botanical Horticulturist: Kirstenbosch) - “Taming wild plants (out of the veld and into the garden)”

Venue: Lecture Hall (Gate 2)
Time: 10h30
Free entry, but garden entry fee applies
Enquiries, please contact Cathy Abbott
Tel: 021 465 6440
Email: cathya@wol.co.za

KIRSTENBOSCH GARDEN FAIR

Venue: Botanical Society Stone Cottages
Dates: 14 and 15 March
Time: 09h00 to 16h00
Enquiries: 021-671 5468

ART EXHIBITIONS

27 Feb - 8 March: South African Society of Artists

9 - 18 March: Art Portfolio

19 - 29 March: Diane Dixon

30 March - 8 April: Professional Cape Artists

Venue: Lecture Hall (Gate 2)
Time: 10h00 to 17h00
Free entry, but garden entry fee applies

FREE GUIDED GARDEN WALKS

These are wonderful for anyone with a remote interest in the beauty of plants. The walks last about one & a half hours.

Mondays at 10h00: Garden Walk
Tuesdays at 10h00 and 11h00: Garden Walk
Wednesdays at 10h00: Garden Walk
Thursdays at 10h00: Garden Walk
Fridays at 10h00: Garden Walk
Saturdays at 10h00: Garden Walk

All these walks start from the Information Desk at Gate 1 (Visitors’ Centre). In case of rainy weather a conservatory tour will replace the advertised walk.

GOLF CART TOURS

If the weather’s good, why not hire a cart - anytime from 09h00 to 15h00. Prices are currently R35 pp (each cart holds a max. of 7 people). To book, call the Kirstenbosch Ticket Office on (021) 799 8782 between 08h00 and 17h00.

THE MY-GUIDE SYSTEM

A self-guiding system is available at R35 per handset - English/German - from Visitors Centre information desk (please pay beforehand at the ticket office).

KIRSTENBOSCH CRAFT MARKET

Date: Sunday 29 March
Venue: Botanical Society Stone Cottages
Free entry

For more information on the Kirstenbosch events, please call the Kirstenbosch Information Desk on (021) 799 8783 or visit Kirstenbosch website

Enjoy!