East Africa – A Botanical Paradise

After nearly three years of living in Tanzania, I am still amazed at the botanical paradise which surrounds me everyday, all year round.

From the hibiscus flowers and bird of paradise plants in private gardens, public municipal areas and hotels, to hedgerows at bus-stops heavy with bougainvillea and frangipani petals lying on the floor, the exotic plants on every corner add to the riot of colour of daily life in sub-Saharan Africa.

East Africa is rightly famous for its wildlife, and visitors from all over the world come to enjoy the flora and fauna. The complete flora of tropical East Africa was recently catalogued, and 135 botanists from 21 countries recorded a total of 12,104 wild plant species in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

From acacia trees to flowering plants, new species are being discovered all the time, with 114 plant species being listed in the last four years alone.

Here are some of my photographs of my favourites plants, flowers and trees, spotted in my garden, at bars and restaurants, in the school grounds where I work or on my way home.

And fellow bloggers and/or botanists , if I have put the wrong name for any of these plants, trees or flowers, please contact me and let me know so I can correct it. Thank you 🙂