Situated between Newlands and Bishopscourt, just below Kirstenbosch, lies a brilliant strip of green known as the Boschenheuvel Arboretum. An idyllic and lush park through which the Liesbeek River lazily passes through, this unspoiled plot of land is a favourite with local dog walkers, photographers, walkers, and indeed, anyone looking to step off the paved roads of the surrounding suburbs and breathe in a little fresh air and maybe rest a little while under the bountiful shade of the parks large and established trees.
Unfortunately there is not a lot of information about Boschenheuvel Arboretum online, but what you will come across is the fact that this park in its current form won’t be around for much longer. The land itself has a little bit of a dark history in terms of being one of the areas from which people were forcefully evicted thanks to the horrors of the Apartheid era Group Areas Act. After many protracted years of litigation and activism, the land is finally being returned to the families that were originally driven off it, and as such will be developed back into housing (see the Protea Village development for more information). So a horrible loss for nature and the environment, but obviously a win for those families torn apart, driven off their land, and stripped of any potential generational wealth so many years ago.
In any event, the girls and I did manage to squeeze in a visit and take a stroll through the greenery before it disappears for good, and I have to say, Boschenheuvel Arboretum didn’t disappoint. Big shady trees, beautiful wild flowers, clear running water, and the occasional super cute tennis ball retrieving doggy paddler, how can’t one help but fall in love with a natural space that looks as good as this!






































Bonus: Although we had quenched our thirsts following the morning’s adventuring in Newlands Forest and the Arboretum by picking up some cooldrinks (and mini milktarts) at the quaint, but very cool (it stocks internationally sourced treats) The Avenue Cafe in Newlands, the girls weren’t to be cheated out of their prize for spending the day out walking with me, and so it was back to Gordon’s Bay beachfront where we tucked into some well deserved waffles and ice cream from the always excellent The Waffle Cafe!
Related Link: Bishopscourt | Newlands