Wadi El Gemal National Park Egypt tours, prices, booking
Wadi El Gemal National Park located 55 kilometer south of Marsa Alam, Egypt. In fact, Wadi El Gemal means “Valley of Camels” in English. The park features about 70 km of spectacular coastline. Moreover, the National park covers an area of about 4,770 km² of land. It also features about 2,000 km² of marine waters. In fact, the National park starts from the jagged ridges of the Eastern Desert. It is through a network of sheltered wadis to the aquamarine depths of the Red Sea. The park has coral reefs which are among the most spectacular in the world. About 17% of the marine life is native to the Red Sea. In fact, it is due to its relative isolation from other oceans.
Wadi el Gemal National Park has about 450 species of coral and over 1,200 species of fish. In fact, it creates a living paradise for divers and snorkelers. Moreover, the National park has more than 140 plant species. In fact, many of these plants have medicinal values. The park has also Mangroves tress which are vital and productive ecosystems. In fact, the trees are among the world’s most endangered habitats. Moreover, the park has Sea grasses such as those at Ras Baghdai. In fact, they are important spawning grounds. They are the only source of food for the endangered dugong and green turtle. The green turtles also nests on the park’s pristine sandy beaches.
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The park has also five pristine islands. In fact, they are important breeding grounds for many of the 13 water and sea birds species. In fact, the park has 45 bird species. Wadi El Gemal National Park boasts the largest Sooty Falcon breeding colony in the world. The interior of the park boasts breathtaking landscapes. In fact, the interior stretched from jagged mountains to winding wadis. Furthermore the park has a healthy population of the globally threatened Dorcas gazelle. It also has the agile Nubian Ibex which inhabits the rugged and steep terrain. In fact, Nubian Ibex relies on the park’s rare mountain springs.
Reptiles are the most terrestrial vertebrate fauna and lizards are most abundant. There are at least 25 terrestrial reptiles inhabiting the Wadi el Gemal National Park in Hamata area. The Ababda are the main indigenous inhabitants of the park. In fact, they are a proud people with a rich and unique culture. Moreover, they have a great affinity with nature which sustains their livelihoods. In fact, livestock is their major source of livelihood. Some of them engage in small scale fishing such as at Qalaan village. Nowadays, some of the Ababda work in the tourism industry. Prehistoric rock art testifies to the region’s prehistoric past.
