The Kirstenbosch Cetenary tree canopy walkways located in Cape Town makes it possible for you to walk above the trees. Surprised? Yes this beautiful walk way permits tourists and visitors alike to walk at a height that is taller than the trees beneath.it provides a vantage point and view that allows you to look down below at trees and the beauty of the forest below from a great height.
The walkway touches the ground at only two points; it is located in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, stretches over 427 feet and towers at 39 feet.
The beauty of this walkway is that it offers different views by not assuming a uniform height all through, while you may find yourself standing above the trees at some points, at other spots you would have trees at about the same height as the walk way. It also provides observatory spots where it widens to accommodate more people.
“The boomslang” is an informal name that has been adopted for this, the literal translation of that acronym is ‘the tree snake’. Starting from the forest floor it goes upwards offering views from every possible angle. This walkway is simple in design yet very unique.
Mountains, the garden and cape flats can be viewed as this walkway rises from the ground and upwards.
The Kirstenboch botanical garden was established in 1913 and spans about 36 hectares .Interestingly it is located in a larger nature reserve of about 528 Hectares. It is the first garden o be added to the World heritage Sites.
The walkway was opened to the public May 2014, it was constructed to commemorate the gardens 100th anniversary in 2013.The plans for its construction had been incepted since 2012 and real construction took place between 2013 and 2014.
The bridge is stabilized by concrete foundation pads, bolts and steel rods. It is made from tubular steel a light mesh and welded ribs.
A lot of care went into ensuring that the forests tress and wild life are not tampered with even with the amount of construction that had gone into creating this walkway. The walkway was constructed off site and installed in 6metre installments. The Kirstenbosch Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway is a must see whenever you’re in South Africa and accessing it is free of charge. Photo Credits: sanbi.org
