Egypt's stocks retreat on Wednesday; July 30 amid local sell-off    Egypt's Cabinet approves E-Tax platform contract    EU economic sentiment improves in July '25    PM: Sisi's Gaza speech reaffirms Cairo's steadfast stance on Palestinian cause    Egypt, France airdrop aid to Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis, global criticism of Israel    Egypt launches initiative with traders, manufacturers to reduce prices of essential goods    SCZONE chief discusses strengthening maritime, logistics cooperation with Panama    Supply minister discusses strengthening cooperation with ITFC    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Egypt reviews health insurance funding mechanism to ensure long-term sustainability    Gaza on verge of famine as war escalates, ceasefire talks stall    Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland    Egyptian president follows up on initiatives to counter extremist thought    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



A day in the wild
Published in Daily News Egypt on 16 - 05 - 2008

Looking for something exotic, yet different from the glamorous Sharm El-Sheikh? Ras Mohamed is the answer.
Located 30 km south of the Red Sea gem that is Sharm, this 850 km2 area was declared a National Park in 1983. It is Egypt's very first national park.
Spending a day in Ras Mohamed National Park, I started with the visitors' center in Marsa Gazlani, where a very helpful ranger provided me with tons of information and patiently answered my never-ending flow of questions.
He even showed me a short documentary featuring the national park; a special screening, just for me.
Not all the park is open for visitors, some areas are closed for scientific research. Nonetheless, parts accessable to visitors are well-connected with dirt roads, in addition to informative signs that guide you through your visit; no need to worry, you won't get lost.
With its location at the meeting point of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba, the underwater world is simply unreal, with more than 200 species of corals, soft and hard, in addition to 1,000 species of fish. If you are a diver you will be fascinated by Ras Mohamed's unique diving sites, whether its most famous Yolanda and Sharks Reefs or its eel-infested Eel Garden.
Don't get frustrated - if you are less adventurous, not really into diving or just like me, with a compulsive fear of sharks - snorkelling would be a good compromise. Trust me, even if you are a snorkeller, Ras Mohamed knows know how to treat you best with its amazingly beautiful sites, unparalleled elsewhere on the Red Sea Coast.
Enough water, I want to breathe some air. And no air fresher than that of the Mangrove Channel where Avicennia Marina mangrove thickets brush the scenery with a stroke of lively green. Mangrove plays a key role in the environment, acting as a resting and nesting place for migratory and resident birds.
It also provides a shelter and nursery grounds for a number of marine organisms. In addition, Mangrove forms natural wave-breakers that slow down the speed of tidal waves and helps protect against coastal erosion.
With its strategic location, Ras Mohamed National Park is en route of bird migration. If you are an avid bird watcher try to make it to the park in either spring or autumn when hordes of birds flock the area. While White Stork and various water fowl are among the migrating birds, endemic White-Eyed Gull Piscivor Osprey are among the year-round residents. And birds are not the only creatures by the seashore. Go to the beach and stay put for a minute or two - you will certainly be greeted by other residents like the Ghost Crab.
Camping is also an option, so if you feel you have not gotten enough of the park, you can actually spend the night there. There is a designated camping area where you ll need to pay the related fee at the main entrance gate and check in before sunset. Camping in the wild is absolutely prohibited in Ras Mohamed National Park.
Useful Tips
- Ras Mohamed National Park admission fee costs LE 5 per vehicle, LE 5 for Egyptians, $5 for foreigners.
- Several tour operators arrange for one day excursions to Ras Mohamed National Park, in addition to diving centers arranging for boat dives.
- As Ras Mohamed National Park lies in sector "A (according to the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty) "Sinai Only Visa is not applicable. It is a two-week free visa obtained upon arrival permitting you into the eastern part of Sinai (sectors B, C & D); for instance, it allows you to go to Sharm El-Sheikh but not west of it.
Key National Parks Regulations
- Take pictures, leave footprints, other than that taking any material, living or dead, i.e. corals, fish, shells, plants or fossils is not tolerated.
- Please adhere to the designed roads, don't stray from the marked tracks.
- Walking on the reef is not allowed, it has disastrous effects on the ecology.
- Feeding or catching fish is not allowed; no need to worry, they will have lunch.


Clic here to read the story from its source.