Kitchener's Island, Botanical river island in Aswan, Egypt.
Kitchener's Island is a small, oval-shaped green space in the Nile containing botanical gardens with distinct planted areas. It sits beside the larger Elephantine Island and can be reached by boat from the city.
The island was given to a British military commander in the 1890s, who immediately planted it with species from various countries. Those early collections form the foundation of what stands today.
Locals and visitors wander through the planted areas as a peaceful escape from the city heat, discovering how water from the river supports this green refuge. The gardens show how the region has long used irrigation to create thriving plant life in an arid landscape.
Boats depart regularly during daylight hours from the southeastern shore, making arrival straightforward. Sturdy shoes are recommended since paths are sandy and uneven in places.
The island holds over thirty palm species, including rare varieties from South Asia and Africa. This botanical diversity creates an unexpectedly tropical setting that few visitors anticipate finding in an Egyptian desert location.
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