OTWO Magazine August 2019 | Page 84

El Aljibe Visitor Centre and Botanic Garden are lo-
cated in the heart of Los Alcornocales natural park,
just 2 km from Alcala de los Gazules, the main town
of the region.
The Centre is responsible for collecting and stud-
ying the area to further environmental education and
to encourage the local population to become more
involved with the natural park.
Our visitors can get to know Los Arconocales
through several different facilities. The main infor-
mation point and reception provides visitors with in-
formation regarding the various trails the park has to
offer. We also have two exhibitions that explore the
diverse ecological and human history of the area and
the unique environmental aspects of its landscapes
and forests forests, comprised of wild comprised of
wild olive trees, Portuguese oaks, cork oaks, cloud
forests and gallery forests.
An events room, overlooking an Andalusian patio
filled with local flora and fauna and boasting lots of
natural light is also available for celebrations, busi-
ness events, business meetings, conferences, trai-
ning courses and product presentations.
PHOTOGRAPHY: CAUCE NATURA
82
Alongside these facilities we also offer a restau-
rant and café service as well as an annual events
calendar in the hopes that we can bring our visitors
closer to the heart of this natural parkland.
Adjacent to the Centre is the Botanic Garden, a
beautiful space that holds several examples of the
unique flora that can be found in Los Alcornocales.
The garden is composed of some real botanical
gems, with rare species such as rhododendron, also
called Ojaranzo (Rhododendron ponticum), a prehis-
toric plant that has survived millennia. The Cau-
ceNatura S.L. team (the organisation
that currently runs the Visitor Cen-
tre and El Aljibe Botanical Gar-
den) offer guided tours of the
park and its trails. Included
in these tours are break-
fast and/or lunch, which
consist of local produce
typical to the area, such
as blue goat cheese,
charcuterie meats and
local game.
OTWO 01 / AUGUST 2019
OTWO 01 / AUGUST 2019
83