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| RED SEA :: ATTRACTION PLACES :: NATIONAL PARKS |
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Abu Galum Protected Area
Abu Galum Protected Area, along the Gulf of Aqaba between Dahab and Nuweiba, is a 500 km2 natural wonderland. Shell speckled gravel beaches run parallel most of the way to the splendid coral reefs below, unless rudely interrupted by plunging mountainsides. Close examination of the beaches will expose masses of Nerita splendens, a tiny snail whose decorative shell blends seamlessly into the pebble mosaic.
Inland into the park, deep wadis interlace with massive granite mountains that are intermittently cut by dark dolerite dykes. Out of a total 167 species recently recorded in this environmentally unique region, as many as 44 plant species are endemic. Mammals seem to like this plant diversity. Nubian ibex, hyrax, red fox and striped hyena thrive here, as well as a variety of lizards and snakes, including the black cobra, the horned viper and Burton's carpet viper.
Gebel Elba National Park
The Gebel Elba National Park in Egypt's southeastern corner is the largest protected area in the country. The 35,600 square kiliometer natural reserve encompasses a variety of ecosystems: mangroves, 22 islands, coral reefs, sand dunes, salt marshes, desert plains and a cluster of mountains.
These unique habitats support a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna found nowhere else in Egypt. Some 458 plants, 40 birds, 23 mammals, 30 reptiles and 1 amphibian species are known to exist in the reserve.
Of special interest are the various types of ferns, mosses, succulents and acacias that grow in the moist mountainous regions. At least one plant species, Biscutella elbensis, is endemic. Also distinctive to the area are ostriches, lappet face vultures and sea cows.
To visit this unique park you will need special permissions. Contact the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) in Cairo for the latest information on how to acquire permission.
Nabq Protected Area
Nabq Protected Area embraces the Gulf of Aqaba coast and its hinterland between Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab. This unique 600 square kilometer area of wadi systems, sand dunes, alluvial plains and salt marches supports a relatively diverse animal and plant life.
Gazelles, hyrax, nubian ibex and foxes, as well as a variety of reptile and invertebrate species, have been recorded here. Birdwatchers particularly enjoy sightings of herons, spoonbills, ospreys, gulls, terns and storks.
Of the 134 flowering plant species found at Nabq, six are endemic. Most impressive are the four saltwater filtering mangrove forests. These evergreen trees represent Sinai's largest communities and are reportedly the most northerly in the world. Farther inland grow the rare Arak, a bush-like plant that grows sideways along the leeward face of dunes. The protectorate's Arak specimens are the largest in the Middle East. Only local Bedouins live in the park, mostly at El Gharqana and Khereiza villages.
Ras Mohammed National Park
Ras Mohammed National Park is both a terrestrial and an aquatic nature reserve. The 480 square kilometer protected area lies where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba at Sinai's southern extremity.
The arid desert terrain of sand dunes, gravel plains, fossilized corals and granite mountains is home to a number of rare mammal species: Dorcas gazelle, Nubian ibex and red fox. Easier to spot are the resident birds like terns, herons, gulls and ospreys. Thousands of white storks pass through Ras Mohammed each year, heading south during September/October and back north during April/May. About 85 flora species live in the park, including mangroves.
In glaring contrast to the seemingly desolate landscape above, the ecosystem underwater is a magnificent eruption of life: 200 coral species (125 of which are soft corals), 1000 fish species, 40 starfish species, 25 sea urchin species, 100 mollusk species, 150 crustacean species, and 2 turtle species: the Green Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle.
St Katherine Protectorate
St Katherine Protectorate is perhaps Egypt's most picturesque national park. It encloses most of the mountainous area of central South Sinai, including the country's highest mountain Gebel Katharina (2624m).
The park is a treasure trove of wild plants. Of the 317 flora species that have been recorded, 19 are found nowhere else in the world. Approximately 35 reptile species live within this unique high altitude ecosystem, many of which are endemic, including the Sinai banded snake and the Innes cobra. The 4,350 square kilometer natural park also supports many mammal species: rock hyrax, Nubian ibex, Dorcas gazelle, red fox, wild cats and hyenas.
When exploring the protectorate's mountains and wadis you will probably spot a curious bird, the white-crowned black wheatear. The observant visitor may also see the colorful Sinai rose finch and the Tristam's grackle. Far less common and much more difficult to locate is the recently discovered Sinai baton blue, the worlds smallest butterfly.
Taba Protected Area
Inland from Taba and Nuweiba is the latest addition to Egypt's national park series. The huge 2800 square kilometer Taba Protected Area is a complex network of wadis and canyons that navigate through the park's granite and sedimentary mountains. Here, years of water and wind erosion have carved out gripping geological monuments.
Some of Sinai's most stunning natural spots, like the color canyon, Ein Umm Ahmed and Ein Khudra, are located within the protectorate. History buffs are intrigued as much by the park's ancient rock art of religious symbols and vanished animals, as by it's presumably stone age Nawamis tombs.
The most noticeable plant species along the wadis is the thorny acacia tree, but diversity still abounds. Experts have identified as many as 72 different plant varieties in one wadi alone. Within the park thrive gazelle, Nubian ibex and hyrax, as well as large birds like bustards and the Egyptian vulture.
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