Wadi el Gemal National Park

GENERAL INFO

The area of Wadi el Gemal, whose name means « Valley of camels », was declared National Park in 2003, in order to preserve an extraordinary terrestrial and marine ecosystem, which is incredibly rich from a landscape, botanical, and wildlife viewpoint, and includes numerous archeological sites of great importance. Among these mountains, the famous emerald mines of the Pharaohs are hidden: the oldest in the world, and the only ones known before the New World was discovered. The Park of Wadi Gemal, still relatively unknown and rarely visited, is home to an important community of Ababda Beduins, who are trying preserve their ancient traditions. Inside the Park we find a variety of sites of great tourist interest, as well as sandy beaches, and shorelines fringed by coral reefs among the most beautiful and unspoiled in Egypt.

AREA

The Park of Wadi el Gemal is the only one in Egypt, besides the one of Ras Mohamed, which includes a terrestrial area that extends over a surface of 4770 Sq Km, and a marine area that develops over another 2000 Sq Km, extending over 120 Km of shoreline, often bordered by vast mangrove areas.

ECOSYSTEMS & BIODIVERSITY

Coastal Plane & Magroves

By: Robin Utrecht

The coastal plane coincides with the access to the sea of Wadi el Gemal: stony and rocky in its most Western part, it becomes sandy as it approaches the coastline, with long beaches suitable for bathing. On numerous spots on the coast, areas rich in mangroves (plants whose scientific name is Avicenia marina) have grown; they make up a unique ecosystem of the Red Sea. The peculiarity of the mangroves is that they filter sea water, and then expel the salt through their leaves; they are also very important as refuge areas for many species of juvenile fish, and for numerous species of birds, as well as providing mechanical stabilization of the soil, thus protecting the coast from marine erosion. Their roots are home to many invertebrates, and especially a multitude of crustaceans, among which « fiddler crabs » (genus Uca), whose distinctive trait is an extraordinary development of one of their claws; here they dig their burrows in the sand, where they find refuge at the smallest sign of danger. The areas where mangrove growth is the greatest are the Island of Wadi el Gemal, located in front of the wadi, and more to the South, in the area of Ras Qulan – Hamata, where the biggest forest of mangroves of the entire Egyptian Red Sea is found.
However, mangroves are not the only plants that grow in the coastal area in different spots one can observe numerous shrubs that with their roots form small coast dunes, such as LImonium axillare and Zyghophyllun album, large tamarisks (Tamarix nilotica), and close to the access to the sea of Wadi el Gemal, also marsh cane, and date palms (Phoenix dactylifera).

Coral Reef

By: Manfred Bortoli

The coral reef, of the type called « fringing reef » follows the coastline, and separates it from the open sea; it is home to 104 species of fish. Its size is variable, and can reach approximately one- hundred meters; sometimes it encloses natural pools a few meters in depth, whose bottom is made up of immaculate white sand. The coral reef was created by the action of billions of tiny invertebrates called coral polyps that have a calcareous skeleton on which other organisms attach themselves, such as sponges or soft corals.
The coral reef is teeming with life, since it represents a refuge and a source of food for many types of fish, as well as playing a vital role in the food chain of the marine ecosystem.
The reef can extend only a few meters vertically, but at times it presents remarkable growth, reaching depths of dozens of meters, and forming the so-called « walls » that plunge into the blue. A distinctive trait of the sandy bottom of the WGNP is the growth of marine plants that form real underwater seagrass beds, which develop over a total surface of 7660 hectares, and provide an irreplaceable food source for Dugongs (Dugong dugong), and for large green turtles (Chelonia mydas), which are both characteristic animals of the park’s fauna. Off the coast of the marine part of the WGNP there are also many isolated reefs, called Sha’ab in Arabic, that rise to the surface of the sea, as well as some small islands, among which the most important is the Island Wadi el Gemal, where in addition to a large patch of mangroves, nine species of birds make their nests: among them are seagulls and terns. One of these reefs, Sataya, nicknamed Dolphins House, is home to a permanent community of spinner dolphins (Stennella longirostris), which is made up of over 200 individuals.

Local Communities

By: Gianni Bodini

The Local Communities The wadi system and the coastal plane are inhabited by the Ababda Bedouins, who are part of the ethnic group de Beja, of Sudanese origins. They are divided into four tribal groups, and most have become sedentary, finding a place in the tourist sector as drivers or guides; yet, there are still some groups that breed goats, sheep, and camels, and are modest farmers. Others mostly dedicate themselves to fishing, while women work in the production and sale of handicrafts. The Ababda have kept alive many of their ancient traditions, such as a dance with swords and shields called maggad, and give great importance to music and singing.

Wadi System

By: Gianni Bodini

The wadi system, made up of the main wadi, Wadi el Gemal, and its tributaries, offers impressive rocky valleys that develop towards the East in the direction of the Red Sea, and is home to a flora that includes 140 species between plants and shrubs, considered the richest of the entire Eastern Desert. The dominant and most characteristic plants are large acacias (Acacia tortilis), recognizable from their typical umbrella shape, which grow mainly in the middle of the wadis, supplying food for camels, firewood, and building materials. Other characteristic high plants are the so-called Desert Dates (Balanites aegyptiaca), since their fruits are edible, and their shape recalls dates; their wood is especially resistant, and it is used to build camel saddles.
Along the wadis, two types of shrubs are ever-present: Salvador perisce, called arak by locals, which is a typical species of the WGNP, and Zilla spinosa.
The first shrub produces edible fruits that have diuretic, antidiabetic, and anthelmintic effects, while its branches, which contain a potent antiseptic, are used by the Beduins for oral hygiene. The second shrub, Zilla spinosa, is the most common in the park, and it is a good food source for gazelles and ibex, while its branches are dried and used by Beduins as fuel. The fauna that inhabits the ecosystem of the wadis rich of plants and shrubs is made up of 24 species of mammals, among which the most important are gazelles and ibex. The gazelles (Gazella dorcas), an endangered species, are relatively common, and make up the largest population of the entire Eastern Desert, while the ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) have nowadays become very rare, and are confined to the highest and less accessible mountains. More common, instead, are foxes (Vulpes rueppelli), small desert rats, or gerbils, and hyraxes (Procavia capensis), together with some reptiles such as lizards (Agama spinosa), easy to spot on rocky boulders at the sides of the wadis, and geckos (Tropiocolotes steudneri).

High Mountains

The high mountains dominate the Western part of the WGNP, and separate the coast of the Red Sea from the Nile plane: the mountain system culminates with the Gebel Hamata, which is 1975 meters high.

The Coastal Plane and Magroves

By: Robin Utrecht

The coastal plane coincides with the access to the sea of Wadi el Gemal: stony and rocky in its most Western part, it becomes sandy as it approaches the coastline, with long beaches suitable for bathing. On numerous spots on the coast, areas rich in mangroves (plants whose scientific name is Avicenia marina) have grown; they make up a unique ecosystem of the Red Sea. The peculiarity of the mangroves is that they filter sea water, and then expel the salt through their leaves; they are also very important as refuge areas for many species of juvenile fish, and for numerous species of birds, as well as providing mechanical stabilization of the soil, thus protecting the coast from marine erosion. Their roots are home to many invertebrates, and especially a multitude of crustaceans, among which « fiddler crabs » (genus Uca), whose distinctive trait is an extraordinary development of one of their claws; here they dig their burrows in the sand, where they find refuge at the smallest sign of danger. The areas where mangrove growth is the greatest are the Island of Wadi el Gemal, located in front of the wadi, and more to the South, in the area of Ras Qulan – Hamata, where the biggest forest of mangroves of the entire Egyptian Red Sea is found.
However, mangroves are not the only plants that grow in the coastal area in different spots one can observe numerous shrubs that with their roots form small coast dunes, such as LImonium axillare and Zyghophyllun album, large tamarisks (Tamarix nilotica), and close to the access to the sea of Wadi el Gemal, also marsh cane, and date palms (Phoenix dactylifera).

The Coral Reef

By: Manfred Bortoli

The coral reef, of the type called « fringing reef » follows the coastline, and separates it from the open sea; it is home to 104 species of fish. Its size is variable, and can reach approximately one- hundred meters; sometimes it encloses natural pools a few meters in depth, whose bottom is made up of immaculate white sand. The coral reef was created by the action of billions of tiny invertebrates called coral polyps that have a calcareous skeleton on which other organisms attach themselves, such as sponges or soft corals.
The coral reef is teeming with life, since it represents a refuge and a source of food for many types of fish, as well as playing a vital role in the food chain of the marine ecosystem.
The reef can extend only a few meters vertically, but at times it presents remarkable growth, reaching depths of dozens of meters, and forming the so-called « walls » that plunge into the blue. A distinctive trait of the sandy bottom of the WGNP is the growth of marine plants that form real underwater seagrass beds, which develop over a total surface of 7660 hectares, and provide an irreplaceable food source for Dugongs (Dugong dugong), and for large green turtles (Chelonia mydas), which are both characteristic animals of the park’s fauna. Off the coast of the marine part of the WGNP there are also many isolated reefs, called Sha’ab in Arabic, that rise to the surface of the sea, as well as some small islands, among which the most important is the Island Wadi el Gemal, where in addition to a large patch of mangroves, nine species of birds make their nests: among them are seagulls and terns. One of these reefs, Sataya, nicknamed Dolphins House, is home to a permanent community of spinner dolphins (Stennella longirostris), which is made up of over 200 individuals.

The local communities

By: Gianni Bodini

The Local Communities The wadi system and the coastal plane are inhabited by the Ababda Bedouins, who are part of the ethnic group de Beja, of Sudanese origins. They are divided into four tribal groups, and most have become sedentary, finding a place in the tourist sector as drivers or guides; yet, there are still some groups that breed goats, sheep, and camels, and are modest farmers. Others mostly dedicate themselves to fishing, while women work in the production and sale of handicrafts. The Ababda have kept alive many of their ancient traditions, such as a dance with swords and shields called maggad, and give great importance to music and singing.

The wadi system (ancient, dried out watercourses)

By: Gianni Bodini

The wadi system, made up of the main wadi, Wadi el Gemal, and its tributaries, offers impressive rocky valleys that develop towards the East in the direction of the Red Sea, and is home to a flora that includes 140 species between plants and shrubs, considered the richest of the entire Eastern Desert. The dominant and most characteristic plants are large acacias (Acacia tortilis), recognizable from their typical umbrella shape, which grow mainly in the middle of the wadis, supplying food for camels, firewood, and building materials. Other characteristic high plants are the so-called Desert Dates (Balanites aegyptiaca), since their fruits are edible, and their shape recalls dates; their wood is especially resistant, and it is used to build camel saddles.
Along the wadis, two types of shrubs are ever-present: Salvador perisce, called arak by locals, which is a typical species of the WGNP, and Zilla spinosa.
The first shrub produces edible fruits that have diuretic, antidiabetic, and anthelmintic effects, while its branches, which contain a potent antiseptic, are used by the Beduins for oral hygiene. The second shrub, Zilla spinosa, is the most common in the park, and it is a good food source for gazelles and ibex, while its branches are dried and used by Beduins as fuel. The fauna that inhabits the ecosystem of the wadis rich of plants and shrubs is made up of 24 species of mammals, among which the most important are gazelles and ibex. The gazelles (Gazella dorcas), an endangered species, are relatively common, and make up the largest population of the entire Eastern Desert, while the ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) have nowadays become very rare, and are confined to the highest and less accessible mountains. More common, instead, are foxes (Vulpes rueppelli), small desert rats, or gerbils, and hyraxes (Procavia capensis), together with some reptiles such as lizards (Agama spinosa), easy to spot on rocky boulders at the sides of the wadis, and geckos (Tropiocolotes steudneri).

The area of the high mountains

The high mountains dominate the Western part of the WGNP, and separate the coast of the Red Sea from the Nile plane: the mountain system culminates with the Gebel Hamata, which is 1975 meters high.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

The Beaches

The coasts of the Park of Wadi el Gemal are flanked in many spots by breath-taking beaches of very fine sand that gently sink in the blue waters of the sea. One of the most popular beaches, both for its beauty and ease of access, is the one of the Bay of Hankorab, located less than twenty kilometers South of the main hotels in the area. A lovely coral reef marks off the Northern side of the beach, allowing people to snorkel or dive (this site is especially suitable for beginners since it is protected from waves and currents). The coral reef is rich in madrepores, among which a multitude of reef fish hover around, such as the red Anthias, as well as Butterfly fish, Parrotfish,and Damselfish. The beach is equipped with beach umbrellas, toilets, and a small café: a pleasant walk allows one to reach the nearby lighthouse of Ras Hankorab. More to the South, at Abu Ghosun and Qulan, there are two more amazing beaches, less frequented than the previous one.In Qulan, there is one of the most beautiful lagoons of the Red Sea, famous for its turquoise-blue waters, while all-around one can admire large mangroves. A small restaurant, a café, and a center for the sale of local handicrafts managed by Beduins are another attraction of this wonderful site.Finally, for athletes and kitesurf enthusiasts, there is the long beach of the Kite Village, which is a center especially dedicated to those who practice this sport. Even more to the South, the big and lovely beach of Wadi Lahami is home to a huge forest of mangroves, and is equipped with a small ecolodge and a dive center.

The Dive Sites

Within the Park’s territory, there are around thirty interesting dive sites, suitable for divers of any level. Most of them can only be reached by boat, but some can also be reached from the beach, such as Hankorab and Abu Ghosun. When diving this last site, divers can admire the wreck of the Hamada, a cargo that sunk here in 1993. Among the most notable sites that can be reached by boat are the ones around the Island of Wadi el Gemal, and the Island of Siyul, also called « Island of the birds », since it has been colonized by eight species of birds that nest here. Here divers can admire huge table corals, teeming with marine life. More to the South, the famous reef of Sataya, nicknamed « Dolphins House », where in the middle of a large lagoon protected by waves and currents lives a colony of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), which can be easily seen while snorkeling.

By: Manfred Bortoli

ACCESS & TICKETS ACCESS

Access: Can be made by car or by boat for the marine sector. All the visitors must respect the Park Regulations
Tickets: The Park entrance fees are EGP 5 for Egyptians and EGP 40 (2 Euros) for non-Egyptians. Tickets are available at the National Park Offices in Wadi El-Gemal and Um El-Abbas. Camping fees are EGP 50 for Egyptians and EGP 200 (per person per night). Overnight camping requires obtaining permits from the Coast Guards, please make sure to get your permits well in advance.

Location: Western Coast of the Red Sea – Southern part 70 Km South of Cairo, 52 Km South of Marsa Alam