ASWAN BOTANICAL GARDENS

HISTORY

The Aswan Botanical Gardens are located on Kitchener's Island in the Nile River near Elephantine Island. The island's namesake is Lord Horatio Kitchener who was given the property in the 1890s while serving as commander of the Egyptian army. Kitchener had a strong passion for botany which led him to convert the island into a series of gardens by importing plants and flowers from around the world. 

VISITING ASWAN BOTANICAL GARDENS

The Gardens are truly an oasis in the desert, a small island surrounded by colorful blooms and filled with plants from around the world. There are also a variety of birds that call the island home. A visit to the gardens seems to be a standard item on most tour itineraries with tourists reaching the island via a felucca - traditional Egyptian sailboat - or a small motorboat. Independent travelers interested in visiting the gardens can hire a boat for the trip but, from what I have read on various travel sites, this requires extensive haggling to obtain a good price and there are times when the ‘boat captain’ will demand additional money for the return trip.

The first time I went to the gardens, fall of 2010, we were the only group on the island which made for a peaceful and quiet visit. Unfortunately, during this recent trip, the island was filled with several groups, Egyptians on vacation, vendors, and men posing as guides trying to sell tours. This second visit wasn't as great as the first given the crowds and noise but I still loved the opportunity to see the sights that surround the island - sand dunes on the shores of the river, fishermen casting their nets, and feluccas sailing in the distance. My tour mate Alicia greatly enjoyed her time on the island meandering through the various walkways that crisscross the gardens and thought the island was well worth the visit. 

NOTE Those with serious mobility issues may have trouble boarding and disembarking the boat plus climbing the set of stairs to reach the gardens. Once you reach the gardens, the walkways are paved and there are several benches available throughout the area if one is in need of rest.

NOTE During the holiday season, the gardens have several festive decorations such has Santas and snowmen created from logs.