The Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens
The Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens are located within Kibbutz Ein Gedi, a natural desert oasis. Both are found in the Judaen Desert, just minutes away from Israel’s famous attractions at the Dead Sea and Masada.
The spectacular Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens feature rare flora and fauna from most of the world’s seven continents. Desert plants, African vegetation and fruit bearing trees have been thoughtfully placed next to one another in a magnificently unique setup. The mix of plant types and countries of origin also makes for a beautiful combination of natural hues and bright colors.
Due to Israel’s hot climate, the desert’s dry heat and air born minerals from the Dead Sea, the plants brought to the Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens from all over the world flourish. The garden is a project of Kibbutz Ein Gedi’s residents who treasure the opportunity to bring new and rare varieties to the ever expanding garden each time they travel abroad.
The Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens provide guided tours through the colorful pathways. The tour concludes at the Arugot Observatory, a rooftop offering uninterrupted views of the Moab Mountains, the Dead Sea and the rest of Ein Gedi’s desert oasis. The Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens are open daily from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm; they close at 2 pm on Friday afternoons. There is an entrance fee.
The Ein Gedi Hot Springs are just minutes away, with mineral water, mud and massage treatments. The Kibbutz also boasts the Ein Gedi Resort Hotel and Restaurant, as well as close proximity to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, one of Israel’s most popular parks filled with hiking trails, waterfalls, natural river paths, desert life and famous archaeological sites. It is also an ideal spot for jeep tours, cliff diving and offroad biking.