|
 South
Sinai is one of the most
spectacularly beautiful landscapes found in Egypt and perhaps
even in the world. In
the past years, many of the sites have been set aside as
national parkland (see
also our Overview).
The most famous of Egypt's national parks is situated
at the far southern tip of Sinai, where the sandy peninsula of
Ras Mohammed
edges out into the Red Sea.
Heading
northeast up the Aqaba
coast, you pass through Sharm
el Sheikh-the best-known
resort of southern Sinai- and Naama
Bay. Afterwards, you come across Wadi
Kid, which runs far into the center of southern Sinai's
mountains.
Wadi Kid
is one of Sinai's most abundantly watered wadis,
supporting a comparatively great abundance of vegetation all
along its length.
View of Nabq protected zone from the Mangroves and the Sinai Mountains in the background
Found further at the bottom of the Wadi,
is another astonishing site; the mangroves, sand dunes and
wild animal life of the Nabq Managed Resource Protected Area. Further north still, lies a
 smaller town, Dahab and then Abu Galum
(see
also our feature story on Abu Galum),
another Protected Area.
The Nabq
coastal is considered to be the largest on the Gulf of Aqaba. It extends over an area of 600 square kilometers and
contains almost 134 plants. The area is a unique combination
of landscapes, with high mountains, surrounding numerous Wadis
(valleys). Nabq's
coral reef are very different from Ras Mohammed, nevertheless its coral reefs are extremely
rich and easy to reach from the shore.
The
coastline of Nabq is
said to be fringed by 4.8 km of mangrove forest, the
most northerly and the largest in
the Red Sea. This mangrove which is composed of just
one species of tree, Avicennia
marina, is very fragile and worthy
of protection because of the important role it plays in the
survival of the wild life surrounding the bay.
Left: An eel washed ashore; Right: a young Mangrove plant
Many
plants and animals (including Gazelle and Ibex) are found in
the area. They are sustained by the periodic valley flooding
following heavy rains. The Wadis
also provide a supply of fresh water to local populations, and
are an important grazing area for Bedouin sheep and goatherds.
 The mangroves in the bay area have to
deal with the salty water. They do so first by filtering at
the roots, and second by getting rid of excess salt in the
form of crystals at the leafs.
They
also shelter an exceptional wealth of animal life. The shallow
and calm waters among their roots provide a good protection
for small fish as well as appropriate rest stop for migratory
birds. Interesting species can be seen, such as Pacific
Golden Plover; Black
bellied Plover and the Caspian
Tern.
Seen at the far end of the bay is an old
shipwreck that offers a rare and amazing diving site. The
locals call the area "al-Ghara'na",
which means the drowned. The bay can be accessed by
walking knee-deep through the water. It is possible to reach
the wreck but suitable shoes are
 necessary as one is bound to
walk through stretches of shells and endless starfish.
Approximately where the rusty wreck lies, the coral reefs
begin, although they stretch along the entire coastline.
The Bedouin population of Nabq
has built villages (huts) in the wadi
and along the coast.
Many of the tribes in the protectorate
have given up their nomadic lifestyle in the late 20th century
and are increasingly settled and dependent on a wage economy.
Nevertheless, they still depend on the natural resources
surrounding them. Fresh water for drinking and for the
goatherds is provided from the wadi.
 Some of them live by the bay all year
long and some just consider it a summer retreat. They protect
the area and exploit the touristic opportunities that come
their way with flexibility. Most of them are familiar with
many foreign languages due to the continuous contact with
Tourists. They could provide you with camel safari trips,
Bedouin dinners or sell you charming handmade necklaces and
oriental dress made by the women.
Their hospitality is legendary, and their
knowledge of Sinai's animals and plant life extensive.
Nabq
protected area, is considered to be one of the richest Diving
sites in the Red Sea. It
offers virtually untouched and rarely dived areas.
A day trip from Sharm
el Sheikh is sufficient to visit the area and explore a
couple of its fascinating lagoons and maybe venture on a
desert exploration trip on the back of a camel.
Bedouin nomads
Archives
|
