The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens truly deserve being the best-known of South Africa's 9 national botanical gardens, thanks to its stunning scenery, diverse flora and themed gardens. These botanical gardens, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a must-see for anyone visiting Cape Town. If you are visiting Cape Town, make sure you include a trip to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, not only for the spectacular view of nearby Table Mountain, but also because the gardens are a splendid showcase for South Africa's indigenous flora. These botanical gardens are located only 13km from the Cape Town city centre and boast over 7 000 plant species, including many rare and threatened species. Here you will experience Cape flora in all its diversity, something for which the garden is renowned. You'll also see a host of other indigenous plants, including rich collections of bulbs, alpines and ferns. All these species grow naturally in southern Africa and can be found in the main section, along with a massive baobab tree. At the Fragrance Garden, you will be exposed to familiar and unfamiliar smells, while the Medicinal Garden will fascinate you with some of the diverse medicinal plants found in South Africa. Don't miss the Water-wise Garden, where you can learn how to grow and maintain a garden with less water than is conventionally required. In the Botanical Society Conservatory you will see species from the arid areas of South Africa. Also featured at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is the Peninsula Garden, which contains many of the 2 500 plant species found on the Cape Peninsula. For an unforgettable experience of the King protea, South Africa's national flower, you must visit the Protea Garden, especially in spring when the proteas are flowering. With this wealth of biodiversity, it's not surprising Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are admired as one of the great botanical gardens of the world, helped by the fact that it is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO