National Parks in Sinai
RAS
MOHAMED NATIONAL PARK
This 480-square kilometre protected area lies where the
Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba at Sinai's southern
extremity. The arid desert terrain - consisting of sand
dunes, gravel plains, fossilised corals and granite mountains
- is home to a number of rare species, including Dorcas
gazelle, Nubian ibex and red fox.
NABQ
PROTECTORATE
Spread across 600 sq km, Nabq contains a variety of ecosystems
that provide for nature unique in the Sinai Peninsula.
The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) agreed
to protect Nabq on the basis of its rich natural resource
base. These include:
* The most northerly mangrove trees in the Red Sea/Indian
Ocean complex
* One of the largest single of Arak Bushes in the Middle
East, covering the higher dunes of the Wadi Kid
*Some 134 plant species of which six are found only in
Nabq
* Gazelle, Nubian Ibex, Hyrax and many varied small mammals
* Rich coral reefs
TABA
PROTECTORATE
This covers a massive 2,800 sq km and is located between
Nuweiba and Taba. Mainly, it contains an intricate system
of valleys and rifts beautifully sculpted by the elements
of nature across time. It engulfs the Ein Umm Ahmed and
Ein Khudra oases and the Nawamis tombs, and has many plants.
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Easier to spot, though, are its resident birds such as
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. There
are about 85 different types of flowers and plants in
the park, including magnificent mangroves. In glaring
contrast to the seemingly desolate landscape, the ecosystem
underwater at Ras is a magnificent eruption of life: 200
types of coral (125 of which are soft corals), 1000 different
fish, 40 starfish, 25 sea urchin, 100 mollusk, 150 species
of crustacean, as well as the Green Turtle and the Hawksbill
Turtle.
ABU
GALUM PROTECTORATE
Characterised by its spectacular granite mountains ending
abruptly on a narrow coastal plain fronted by rich coral
reefs, Abu Galum (located between Dahab and Nuweiba) owes
its protected status to its varied ecosystems, unique
back reef communities and excellent coral. Recent surveys
have identified 167 species of desert plants, many of
which are not found in either Ras Mohamed or Nabq. As
a result, Abu Galum is also home to the largest number
of Nubian ibex, Hyrax, red fox and striped hyena. Ten
different species of lizards and snakes have also been
identified.
ST
KATHERINE'S PROTECTORATE
This comprises the mountain network in South Sinai. Home
to many plants - many of which are not found anywhere
else in the world - it is also inhabited by some interesting
mammals, reptiles, birds and insects.
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