SOUTHERN SUBURBS ACCOMMODATION FINDER

Southern Suburbs

Cape Town's southern suburbs include some of the oldest and most established areas of the city including the farm where the first vines in the Cape were planted by the early Dutch settlers.

Groot Constantia

The estate of Groot Constantia was founded as early as 1685 and assigned to the first Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, as an experimental farm for agricultural produce. Van der Stel mainly developed wine growing and brought Constantia wine to world fame. Over the centuries the estate endured an eventful history, and in the year 1925 the manor burnt down completely. It has since been restored to its former glory and is exquisitely furnished with antiques. The Wine Museum has a number of interesting exhibits, including stoneware dating from 500 BC to the present day. Wine can be sampled and purchased on the estate. There are two restaurants on the estate.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Spectacularly situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, these world renowned gardens are dedicated to the preservation of the indigenous plants of Southern Africa. Some 6 000 different species are grown here, including ancient cycads and many species of protea and ferns.
The gardens are open daily: 08:00 - 18:00 between April and August, and an hour later during the rest of the year. Knowledgeable guides are available to conduct groups around the gardens and the blind are catered for on the Braille Trail. On summer evenings audiences can picnic on the lawns while listening to the sounds of classical music or jazz in the ever popular summer concerts held on Sunday evenings.