City Walk In The Company Gardens
Situated in the heart of Cape Town, this botanical garden is a big attraction for visitors and locals alike.
This garden was first established in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company under the watchful eye of Jan Van Riebeeck, the founder of Cape Town.
The Dutch East India Company used Cape Town as a major re-stocking point for all the ships on the trading route to and from the east from Holland. It was also extremely important to provide the colonists at the Cape with a secure source of vegetables and fruit.
The Company Gardens has the oldest cultivated pear tree in South Africa as well as a rose garden which was established in 1929. You will also see many statues which tell the story of early South Africa.
The Gardens are surrounded by many interesting attractions including historical buildings and museums – the National Library of South Africa, The SA National Gallery, the Iziko SA Museum and Planetarium.
The gardens are also known for the many squirrels which frequent the area. They can be found dashing around the gardens and climbing up the old oak trees. Take some nuts to feed them, especially enjoyable for the adults and children alike. If you are taking children, be sure to show them the aviary. There is also a well stocked fish pond with some interesting fish.
If you are hungry or thirsty then be sure to stop off at the restaurant which goes by the name of the Garden Tea Room, situated in a very peaceful setting. This is the ideal place to sit and relax while being surrounded by the beauty of Cape Town.
Brochures are available for individuals who wish to go on a self-guided walk through the gardens. The Company Gardens is one of the most relaxed places in Cape Town and if you are on a budget, you can walk and relax in the Gardens for free.