National Botanical Gardens, National Botanical Gardens in Bakau, Gambia.
The National Botanical Gardens is a cultivated space in Bakau featuring walking paths that wind through tropical palms, flowering plants, and native species from across Gambia. The layout includes different sections where visitors can explore the range of plants used by local people over time.
Founded in 2008, the gardens were created to protect and document traditional plant knowledge held by local elders before it disappeared. The project emerged from a commitment to preserve this learning for future generations.
The gardens serve as a place where visitors can observe how local communities value and use plants in everyday healing practices. People come here to learn about the knowledge passed down through generations about what grows around them.
It is best to visit during daylight hours when the plants are clearly visible and guided tours are more likely to be available. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking along paths that connect different planting areas.
The site operates as a living archive where researchers continuously document and study how different plant species work and what they can be used for. This ongoing work helps keep knowledge alive that might otherwise disappear.
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