From Aswan: Private Nile Boat Cruise and Botanical Garden Visit.

Private Nile Boat Cruise and Botanical Garden Visit.

• Private Nile Boat Cruise -El Nabatat is a small, oval-shaped island in the Nile at Aswan.
• The Garden is less than a kilometer long and its width is less than ½ a kilometer.
• It is the location of the Aswan Botanical Garden, aka Kitchener Island because in 1899, Consul General Lord Kitchener, during his military campaigns in Sudan, made this island the headquarters for his army.
• It was then known as Lord’s House.
• Soon after he left the island, it was given back to the ministry of irrigation.
• Since 1928, the ministry has transformed the island to feature trees from the 5 continents and it was used as a research station called the Botanical Research Institute, Aswan Botanic Island.
• The best way to see the island, without lots of walking, is to enter the main entrance and walk the full length of the island till you reach the southern tip.
• There is a huge variety of plantations and trees.
• Some of which were naturally found on the island, before it was converted into a botanical island, and others have been brought in.
• There are a number of rare palm trees such as the Royal Palm tree, the Sabal Palm tree, and the Phonic Palm tree.
• The gardens are popular among the local people and tourists, as a place to go for a quiet afternoon away from the noise of the city and for weekend picnics.
• The island and gardens can be reached by felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat).

• Your River Nile adventure begins with pickup from your Aswan hotel in the late afternoon.
• Head down towards the river then hop on board your private boat for the evening and set sail along the infamous waters of the Nile.
• Arrive at the first stop of the tour, the Botanical Gardens on Lord Kitchener Island, home to an array of plants that were imported from all over the wold in the 1800s.
• Enjoy some free time to stroll around the gardens, admiring the majestic palm trees that line the walkways including the Sabal Palm and Phonic Palm as well as Ficus trees and other beautiful bougainvillea trees.
• Head back to the boat and continue along the Nile, watching the sunset and the sky change color.
• Sail around Elephantine Island, a tiny island home to ancient ruins and temples, then glide past the Mausoleum of Aga Khan built in the style of the Fatimid tombs in Cairo.