In many cities the indigenous flora has been swallowed up by urban sprall. Cape Town, however, is fortunate to have one of the world's leading botanical gardens right in its midst.

The tiny enclave of the southern and western Cape is one of the world's richest botanical regions, in fact, one of its six flora kingdoms.

Kirstenbosch contains more than 8500 indigenous plant species, including some so rare that they occur in areas only a few square meters in extent.

The immense wealth of the plant life here has attracted botanists from all over the world to Cape Town to study the flora treasure.

Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 on land bequeathed to the nation by Cecil John Rhodes. It covers more than 500 hectares, of which 36 hectares are cultivated, and the remaining area consists of a nutural flora reserve.