Stroll down the path and discover beautiful indigenous flora, or find a quiet corner to unwind.

Barry and Mina’s garden at Jambo Guest House is an oasis of peace and tranquillity that has been 34 years in the making. You will find several places to sit and unwind, read a book, or simply enjoy some solitude. The pond has large Koi fish whose spectacular colours reflect the colours of Africa. The garden is lush and the trees are tall, protecting the Koi from predatory birds. The garden attracts numerous feathery friends – look out for Robins, White Eyes, Olive Thrushes, Doves, Lesser Double Collared Sunbirds and Weaver birds.

Click to enlarge images

Barry and Mina do all the gardening. The garden is organic and no poisons or artificial fertilisers have been used for many years. Barry has a wormery which recycles the kitchen waste and produces ‘worm tea’, a superlative plant food.

“Gardening and gardens form an important part of our lives” say Barry and Mina. Barry was a tree surgeon in England and South Africa. With his brother – an arboriculturist – together they treated many of the oak trees in Stellenbosch, as well as the Adriaan van der Stel oak at Vergelegen Wine Estate. Vergelegen is well worth visiting for their camphor trees that are 300 years old, not forgetting their fine wines of course!

Mina and Barry belong to the Horticultural Society and love to visit open gardens and nurseries. You can find the couple at Constantia Open Gardens, Franchhoek Open Gardens, admiring the wild flowers along the West Coast in August/September, as well as the Darling Wild Flower Show and the Orchid Show.

Jambo’s garden is crammed with an assortment of plants, as Mina always thinks that there’s space for one more. For them a shaded garden is important as many of the plants are indigenous and thrive in shade. The trees were left to grow naturally big and tall which provides shade, shelter from street noise, and a home to birds – most importantly the shade provides peace and serenity for guests relaxing in the garden.

The solar-heated Jacuzzi is hidden in a quiet corner protected by trees and shrubs along a path dotted with scented flowers, ceramic fairies and sparkling lights.