Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens is located approximately 38 kilometers from Harare, along Shamva road. It is renowned for its classic collection of Aloes and Cycads in the world, and is a must-see for botany lovers, and all those who love peace and nature. The overall setting is extremely attractive with the collections planted in a natural style amongst small granite kopjes where these plants flourish amidst a habitat of indigenous Miombo and brachstagia woodlands
HISTORY
Harold Christian, a farmer, started the aloe collection in his garden and they were such a success that he added cycads and many species of small succulent plants. He named his farm after his brother Ewan, who was killed in World War I. (Rigg is the Welsh word for a ridge. Ewanrigg Botanical Garden is noted for its wide collection of indigenous and exotic plants Mr. Christian came to the then Rhodesia in 1914 as a farmer. He later turned his attention to botany and horticulture.It was in the field of botany and in the study of the genus aloe that he made many valuable scientific contributions. His initial garden covered about 1.6 hectares which in 1950, shortly before his death, he donated to the State. This area has been considerably expanded over the years so that now the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority have 100 hectares under cultivation.
The best time for aloe viewing is in the winter from April to July when they are in bloom. At this time, they attract large numbers of long-billed sunbirds attracted by the nectar and visits by bird watchers will be well rewarded. Short-billed birds have also learnt to perch on the stem of the aloe spike and puncture the base of each flower to capture the nectar. A wide variety of birds are attracted, including water birds to the dam in the north of the garden.
ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
FACILITIES
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