The Jeep and driver as well as the guide will pick you up from the hotel taking you south to the National park, passing by the acacia trees, Rock & Chrystal formations, Old emerald mines, ancient Egyptian temple (Roman period ruins) as well as what's possible to see of wild camels, animals or birds (never guaranteed to see as they are free in the wild) and back to your hotel,
Also possible to combine a stop over at Sharm El Luli (Ras Hankurab) for an hour snorkeling there.
a private safari trip to the park which can be designed around what you want .
The safari includes private jeep , Guide , tickets and permits, lunch, tea and soft drinks
The Wadi El Gemal Nationa Park ( Wadi El Gemal meaning “Valley of the Camels” ) is an extensive area of land and coastal water lying to the south of Marsa Alam. It includes many diverse ecological habitats and a rich variety of animal and bird types, including several endangered species. The area was designated a national park by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency in January 2003.
The park covers a total of some 5,000 square kilometres, including several islands, a stretch of mangrove rich coast line and an extensive mountainous area inland which surrounds one of Egypt’s largest desert wadis.
The Wadi El Gemal area acts to channel any water from the mountains towards the coastline, but some is trapped underground which is a key factor supporting the national park’s vibrant ecosystem.
The valley is most easily accessed by an entrance from the coast road located approximately 45 km south of the small town of Marsa Alam. Do not try to enter on your own as it is easy to get lost inside the national park and it might be difficult for rescuers to find you.
Animals that inhabit the wadi include many rare species, such as the nubian ibex and the hyrax as well as wild donkeys, camels and gazelle.
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Inclusions
Private jeep with driver
Experienced guide
Tickets and permits
Lunch, tea, and soft drinks
Exclusions
Personal snorkeling gear
Gratuities for the guide and driver
Any additional personal expenses
What do you know about..?
It’s a seemingly dry desert river valley, which only floods when occasionally the desert experiences a heavy rainfall. Some water however percolates down into the surrounding mountains and experienced locals know how to access it through springs and wells.
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In this area the local population is the Ababda Bedouin, who have many rich and colourful traditions, many of which are endangered by the pressures of modern life and the economic exploitation of the area and its resources.
Traditionally nomadic, some still work herding their goat flocks through the network of wadis in search of grazing land and water. They are renowned for their skilled animal tracking abilities.
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The wadi has long been known as an area rich in minerals and here you can find the world’s oldest emerald mine dating back to pre-Roman times. There are also rich deposits of gold and lead in the area and just outside the National Park boundary lies Egypt’s most productive gold mine at Sukari -some 23 km west of Marsa Alam, close to the road which connects the town with Esna on the Nile.
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The ancient emerald mining settlements can still be seen if you go on an organized safari tour. The most well known is the Roman settlement of Sikait, which they called Mons Smaragdus, meaning “Emerald Mountain.” You can wonder through the village, see a temple dedicated to the god Isis cut out of the rock and also visit the actual mines.
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Mangroves can tolerate relatively salty water because their roots filter the sea water and the salt crystals are excreted through their leaves and if you look at a Mangrove leaf under the sun you can often see the shiny salt water crystals on it.
Mangrove performs a crucial role in the coastal eco system by providing protection for birdlife and is one of the few places in the desert environment suitable for nesting. Its cover also enables baby fish to hide from predators and their roots protect the coast from erosion and were also traditionally used by the Bedouin for house construction and its foliage as an animal feed.
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Further up the wadi you can find acacia trees usually along the edges of the valley floor. These have evolved over thousands of years to survive the arid conditions of the desert with extraordinarily long roots enabling them to reach the ground water deep below the surface.
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This species of gazelle can be found in a few southerly areas of Egypt’s Eastern Desert region and the Wadi El Gemal area is probably the most likely place that you will be able to find them. They are adept at desert survival, being able to absorb moisture from the vegetation they eat.
