This spring, a groundbreaking chapter in Lebanese eco-tourism is unfolding in the Quranic Garden of Kayfoun with the upcoming inauguration of a large-scale butterfly garden.
With the arrival of a particularly rainy winter, the butterfly season is expected to be phenomenal—and billions of butterflies have already taken flight. Migrating from tropical Africa to spend their summers in temperate Europe, these winged travelers now grace our skies, enhancing the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Situated in the heart of Lebanon’s Mediterranean region—a renowned hotspot of biodiversity at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe—the garden celebrates the nation’s rich entomological heritage.
“Lebanon is home to at least 165 species of colorful butterflies, many of which are endemic, threatened, and found almost nowhere else on Earth. This butterfly garden is a beacon of conservation, education, and sustainable tourism, ensuring that future generations can experience the beauty of these vital pollinators.”
— Assad Serhal, Director General of SPNL
A Model for Sustainable Conservation
This initiative is funded by the EU BioConnect Project, further underscoring its commitment to advancing sustainable environmental practices. The Butterfly Garden is designed as a model for wildlife-friendly gardening and serves as the core component of a much larger international park, with further expansion plans underway.
A large greenhouse, embedded within the Chemlan Biblical Garden, will house a botanical garden, wildflower nursery, and lepidopterarium—where butterflies will be bred and showcased at various stages of development.
The garden features an eco-friendly landscape incorporating bioswales, mounds, stumperies, living hedges, grass meadows, arbours, and vertical planters. These elements create rich habitats for pollinators and demonstrate sustainable gardening techniques, including:
✅ Rainwater harvesting
✅ Composting & organic farming
✅ Beekeeping & permaculture
✅ Avoidance of harmful agrochemicals
Butterflies: Silent Guardians of Our Ecosystems
Butterflies, often overlooked in their quiet elegance, are vital pollinators and bioindicators. Their presence—or absence—reveals key insights into ecosystem health. Without butterflies and their pollinator peers (moths, bees, and other insects), the wildflowers that adorn our landscapes would struggle to thrive.
By educating local farmers and younger generations about butterfly conservation and organic gardening, this initiative seeks to counteract threats such as habitat destruction, urbanization, and deforestation.
This butterfly garden is more than just a sanctuary—it is a call to action. Whether in a backyard, school, or park, sustainable gardening can create safe havens for pollinators, even in urban settings. By expanding this movement across Lebanon, we aim to preserve the country’s unique biodiversity for generations to come.
A New Eco-Tourism Destination in Lebanon
Tourists, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature lovers are warmly invited to visit the Mount Lebanon Hima Center in Kayfoun. Accommodations and refreshments are available at the nearby resort, ensuring a comfortable and memorable eco-tourism experience.
Visitors can also explore the Aley region’s diverse offerings, including:
🌿 Wildlife photography & butterfly watching
🚴♂️ Cycling, hiking & camping
🎯 Archery, rock climbing & horseback riding
🎨 Handicrafts & local workshops
Finally, don’t forget to stop by the gift shop at Mount Lebanon Hima Center in Kayfoun, where you can find butterfly-themed books, posters, calendars, clothing, jewelry, toys, and garden accessories.
So, join us this summer at the Butterfly Garden in Kayfoun—bring your family and friends to help conserve nature while enjoying the magic of Lebanon’s wildlife… all on the wings of butterflies.
About BioConnect
BioConnect is a collaborative project funded by the European Union, aiming to enhance biodiversity protection in Southern Lebanon. The initiative brings together four Lebanese partners—Al Shouf Cedar Society (ACS), Association for the Development of Rural Capacities (ADR), Association for Community and Environment (ACE), and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL)—to promote sustainable ecosystem management and community engagement.
#EUBioConnect4Lebanon
The European Union supports Lebanon’s stability, independence and sovereignty, its prosperity and democratic order. It strives also to help protect its environment and natural resources by supporting sustainable enterprise and development.
Find out more about the EU’s work in Lebanon or follow it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EUinLebanon
