Rimba Ilmu, Universiti Malaya

Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden would have remained unknown to us had John and I not bothered to seek the identity of our lovely Cardwell Lily, a hosta look-alike plant.

Read about its ID search at our garden blog

Aptly named as the 'Forest of Knowledge' in English, this tropical botanical garden in the University of Malaya campus is world-esteemed for its extensive collection of rare and indigenous tropical flora of the Malaysian and Indonesian region. Established in 1974 and occupying an extensive area of 80 hectares, it is one of our country's most visited and a pre-eminent center for learning, conservation and plant research with its own Environmental Education Programme.

We were very fortunate to be able to visit this 'treasure island' on Saturday, August 1, within a week of knowing its existence. Coincidentally too, being the first Saturday of the month, all of us visitors (only a handful adults with 3 children) were given a public tour by the seasoned naturalist, Ms. Angela ...thank you!

She guided us through the pathways in the Botanic Garden which is more forest-lke, giving a brief history of Rimba Ilmu. Patiently too, introducing some of the living collections of rare plants, including various kinds of medicinal herbs, ferns, gingers, palms and trees, as well as touching on the importance of forest conservation and its benefits, ecology and the like.

Most of the plants have their identities and origin clearly labeled.

It was an interesting, refreshing and enlightening tour that lasted about two and a half hours starting from 9.00 am. Included is the 'Rainforest and Our Environment' Exhibition in an annex to the main building and a view inside the Rare Plants and Orchid Conseratory.

All this for just RM4 per adult as admission fee, to see for real the treasures of plant life in the rainforest and much more.

My beloved and I truly enjoyed the wonderful tour. A little disappointed though that there were not much exotic flowers in abundance to amaze and astound us in this Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden, but all the same, it was a very worthwhile trip. Our very own Malaysian-made tropical treasure, definitely not to be missed!

Information:
Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden
Institute of Biological Sciences
Universit of Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

(Tel: 603-79674686, 603-79674690)

Explore Rimba Ilmu's website for more information and a virtual tour of our visit here.