The gardens unfold in two worlds: oasis and desert — abundance and austerity, shade and horizon.

Long before our arrival, this land carried its own memory. In the oasis, that memory deepens. Over more than two decades, Gary and his devoted gardening team have gently shaped the soil, cultivating over 700 varieties of plants. A serpentine path slips through layered greens and unexpected blooms, revealing intimate sitting areas tucked beneath centennial palms. Here, time loosens its grip. Pages turn softly. Mint tea cools in porcelain cups. Birds stitch the air with their songs.

In the oasis part, basins and quiet pools recall the spirit of ancient medina gardens, their still surfaces mirroring the swaying silhouettes of date palms against the sky.

Then the landscape opens.

In the desert landscape, where the Karwan tents rest against the sandy horizon, generous green pockets rise from the earth, creating privacy and softness within the mineral expanse. Behind the Explorer and Pearl suites, a contemplative path winds through winter-blooming plants inspired by those Nelson Mandela admired — blossoms that emerge in the cold season, carrying the quiet promise of strength, resilience, and enduring beauty.

In these gardens, cultivation is not only botanical.

It is an act of memory, patience, and hope.