BotSoc Kirstenbosch

BotSoc Kirstenbosch A non-profit organisation committed to the conservation & wise use of South Africa's floral heritage. It is a registered non-profit organisation (250-726 NPO).

We support a number of local innovative community-involvement habitat restoration projects as well as projects at Kirstenbosch NBG. The Botanical Society of South Africa Kirstenbosch Branch is a non-profit organisation whose mandate is to raise funds for capital development at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, one of the ten national gardens managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institut

e. In July 1913 the Kirstenbosch Estate was handed over to an established board of trustees for the establishment and development of a National Botanic Garden. Prior to this, on 15 June 1913 at a public meeting in Cape Town, it was resolved to form a Botanical Society to raise funds for the National Botanic Garden and to encourage South Africans to take an active part in its development. BOT SOC SA Kirstenbosch Branch separated its operations from Head Office in 1985 to become one of the youngest branches.

🌳 Tree Symposium Programme Announcement 🌳We are excited to share the programme outline for our upcoming Tree Symposium. ...
24/08/2026

🌳 Tree Symposium Programme Announcement 🌳

We are excited to share the programme outline for our upcoming Tree Symposium. Join fellow tree enthusiasts, botanists, horticulturists, researchers, and conservation practitioners for a day of learning, discussion, and networking centred on the importance of trees in our landscapes and ecosystems.

Please see the programme below and start planning your day. We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an inspiring and informative event.

BOT SOC Kirstenbosch Community - you attended the public lecture in June and you helped make it possible for us to colla...
18/08/2026

BOT SOC Kirstenbosch Community - you attended the public lecture in June and you helped make it possible for us to collaboratively host the symposium in September. Thank you for your continued interest and support

🎟️ Tickets are now available for the inaugural South African Tree Symposium - set to bring together South Africa's tree and conservation community on 8–9 September 2026 at the Old Mutual Conference Centre, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Hosted by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Botanical Society of South Africa (BOT SOC), the symposium will feature two days of inspiring talks, knowledge sharing and networking centred on South Africa's remarkable trees.

This exciting symposium will bring together people from across South Africa's tree and conservation community to share knowledge, exchange ideas and explore the vital role that trees play in our landscapes, biodiversity and everyday lives.

From researchers and arborists to horticulturists, decision makers, conservation practitioners, students and tree enthusiasts, the symposium will provide an opportunity to learn from leading voices, discover new perspectives and build meaningful connections.

📍 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
📅 8–9 September 2026, 08h30-16h30
More information and ticket sales for students (R20 per day), civil society members (R50 per day) and professionals (R50 per day):
Book and pay now online, via Webtickets:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1599553763

Tickets are limited and sold per day, so book early to secure your spot.

Join us as we walk Cape Point and see the spring flowers along the coast.Date: Sunday 6 SeptemberTime: Meet at 9am. Arri...
14/08/2026

Join us as we walk Cape Point and see the spring flowers along the coast.

Date: Sunday 6 September
Time: Meet at 9am.
Arrive 15 minutes early to avoid the queue to get in.
Duration: 4 hours, this walk is reasonably strenuous
Meet: at the Cape Point entrance gate
Bring: A jacket, hat, sunscreen, lots of water and refreshments for a tea stop.

For more information, please contact Dirk Muller (082 779 5855)
Walk will be cancelled in the event of poor weather.

📚Come get the last of our bookshop stock. 📢Last trading day is Monday 17th August.Thank you to all our loyal customers f...
14/08/2026

📚Come get the last of our bookshop stock. 📢Last trading day is Monday 17th August.

Thank you to all our loyal customers for decades of support! 💚

📢 CLOSING DOWN SALE - 50% OFF ALL STOCK! 📢 The Kirstenbosch Bookshop is closing, and we’re giving you HALF PRICE on ever...
13/08/2026

📢 CLOSING DOWN SALE - 50% OFF ALL STOCK! 📢

The Kirstenbosch Bookshop is closing, and we’re giving you HALF PRICE on everything!

From cookbooks and SA travel guides to kids books, nature, wildlife, and garden reads — it’s all 50% OFF.

📍 Where: Kirstenbosch Bookshop, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
🗓️ When: While stocks last!
💰 Deal: 50% OFF all books and stock

Perfect time to stock up on gifts, add to your library, or find that SA cookbook, snake guide, or kids book you’ve been eyeing.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone! Come say goodbye and grab a bargain in the gardens 💚

Tag a book lover who needs to know 👇

Join us as we walk Tygerberg Hills to see the spring flowers start to bloom! Please note: there is a small entrance fee ...
01/08/2026

Join us as we walk Tygerberg Hills to see the spring flowers start to bloom! Please note: there is a small entrance fee to get in.

Date: Sunday 16 August
Time: Meet at 9am

Duration: 3.5 hours, this walk is reasonably strenuous
Meet: at the gate of the Tygerberg Nature Reserve
Bring: A jacket, hat, sunscreen, lots of water and refreshments for a tea stop.

For more information, please contact Dirk Muller (082 779 5855) or Pat Holmes on (082 298 4564)
Walk will be cancelled in the event of poor weather.

🌱Fynbos Friday🌱Moraea tulbaghensis Family: IridaceaeCommon names: Rooiflappie The spectacular Moraea tulbaghensis appear...
31/07/2026

🌱Fynbos Friday🌱
Moraea tulbaghensis
Family: Iridaceae
Common names: Rooiflappie

The spectacular Moraea tulbaghensis appear from mid to late spring. The species is not widely grown, but it is highly rewarding when grown in cultivation.

Moraea tulbaghensis is a winter-growing geophytic species. The plant flowers from mid-September to early October; the flowers only open fully on hot, still days. Moraea tulbaghensis is confined to a small area of the southwestern Cape extending from Tulbagh to Wellington. The plants occurs in colonies on flats in Breede Shale Fynbos vegetation.

200 species belong to the genus Moraea and the Western Cape has the highest species diversity. With the vast majority of Moreas occurring in the Winter-Rainfall areas, though there are also summer rainfall species, but not as numerous in number.

The genus name Morea was given in honour of Robert More of Shropshire, but its spelling was altered to Moraea by Linnaeus. The species name tulbaghensis is derived from the small town of Tulbagh in the southwestern Cape, where the species can be found growing. The species was described in 1932 by Dr Louisa Bolus, from specimens she collected in the Tulbagh area.

Photo Credit: Graham Duncan

23/07/2026

🌳 Save the date!

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Botanical Society of South Africa (BOT SOC) are pleased to announce the inaugural South African Tree Symposium, taking place on 8-9 September 2026 at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Old Mutual Conference Centre.

This exciting symposium will bring together people from across South Africa's tree and conservation community to share knowledge, exchange ideas and explore the vital role that trees play in our landscapes, biodiversity and everyday lives.

From researchers and arborists to horticulturists, decision makers, conservation practitioners, students and tree enthusiasts, the symposium will provide an opportunity to learn from leading voices, discover new perspectives and build meaningful connections.

📍 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

📅 8–9 September 2026

More information, including speakers and ticket sales, will be shared soon.

Save the date. We look forward to welcoming you!

VOICE OF THE VOLUNTEER: LINDA HIBBINI first started volunteering during the Kirstenbosch centenary in 2013 when Anne Gra...
22/07/2026

VOICE OF THE VOLUNTEER: LINDA HIBBIN

I first started volunteering during the Kirstenbosch centenary in 2013 when Anne Gray, who was a long time member of the Cape Bird Club, asked me to lead some of the first ever BOTSOC bird walks, which she had organised.

Since Anne passed away in 2014, I have been organising these walks, which I try to do every month. I wanted to introduce both local and international visitors to the birds that can be found in Kirstenbosch. The bird walks are very popular and I find it wonderful to see visitors enjoying the bird life in the gardens.


Since becoming involved with the bird walks, I feel I have really got to know the garden and all the places where we find the different species of birds. Through volunteering, I have met some amazing people from all over the world, seen cameras with lenses the size of a small child and made some lovely friends.

Address

Pearson House Annex, Kirstenbosch NBG, Rhodes Drive
Newlands
7700

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:30 - 16:30
Thursday 08:30 - 16:30
Friday 08:30 - 16:30

Telephone

+27216715468

Website

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