A picturesque view of the Cape Town Winelands, highlighting the natural landscape as plans for the airport advance.
When you first see South Africa’s national flower, the king protea, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s from another world. This enormous flower — each about 30cm (12in) in diameter — with yellow and white stamens and surrounded by a stiff, pink, pointy crown is truly unique. The best place to explore these and other enigmatic plants is at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, nestled against the slopes of Table Mountain — a more dramatic setting would be hard to find.