Jardin Botanique d'Eala, Botanical garden in Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Jardin Botanique d'Eala is a large botanical garden along the Ruki River with hundreds of hectares of land and diverse tropical plant collections. The site combines wild forest areas with organized plant collections from around the world.
A Belgian botanist founded the garden at the start of the 20th century to record local plant species and explore their economic potential. The site arose from colonial interest in developing the region's natural resources.
The garden's name Eala comes from the local language and refers to roots, reflecting its deep connection to the region's plant life. Visitors can observe how traditional plant knowledge and modern botanical study work side by side here.
The garden is extensive, so visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time for exploring. The best time to visit is in the morning when it is cooler and wildlife is more active.
Parts of the garden are devoted to fruit forests where visitors can see how local fruits grow in their natural setting. These collections show practical uses and the variety of species that originate in the region.
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