Declared a protected area in 1998, Taba is in the South Sinai governorate in Egypt. The desert area covers a land area of 3595 square km and is about 550 km from Cairo. The reserve area is characterized by rare geological formations and monuments that date back 5000 years.
What can be found at The Taba Protectorate?
Lots of rare wildlife reside within the protectorate, and the scenic setup is very beautiful with the traditional heritage of nomads. The parts of the valley help in protecting wildlife like deer, large birds, and more. The valleys also have important communities like acacia. Here, one can find 72 species of plants like Ba'ataran, Ratam, and Rimth. Also, the adjacent area is home to around 480 species of plants. You can even find here a group of hills about 1000 m in height. The natural setup of the place is very beautiful and amazing and attracts a large number of tourists. The animals found here include hyrax, Nubian ibex, wolf, hyena, deer, and others. The mountaintops also feature some wild birds like Egyptian vultures, eagles, bearded vultures, and golden eagles.
There are a number of water springs also present in the area which gives it a unique setting which includes Hadra Spring in Wadi Ghazala and Oum Ahmed Spring in Wadi Elswana, Fortaga Spring in Wadi Water, which can be easily visited, and flow on the ground surface.
Why was the area established?
The Taba protected area was established primarily for the protection of mammals, water reserves, reptiles, and rare bird species. It is currently the northernmost protectorate in south Sinai lying south of Taba. A protectorate is a gorgeous place visited by a large number of tourists every year. The protectorate has many geological formations like caves, desert landscapes, a string of steep-walled wadi's, mountainous passages, and some natural freshwater springs.
The natural treasure of the protectorate
The protected area is known to contain 25 species of mammals, 50 kinds of rare birds, 24 species of reptiles, and approx. 480 species of plants.
Some other animals found here are the Nubian Ibex and the Sinai Leopard. The latter was believed to be extinct until 2014 when one was killed. Other animal species that breed in this area are The Black Eagle (Aquila verreauxii) and also the rare Lammergeyer (Gypaetus Barbarus).
Why see this as a tourist attraction
Some areas in the protectorate, like the EinKhudra oasis, the White Canyon, and the Colored Canyon are frequently visited by people seeking a day trip. People often come here to appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature at its best.
How to explore the place
The best way to travel the area is to go on a camel safari and walk to sights like the Nawamis, hike to Gabal Mileihis and Gabal Makharum, and climb through adventurous canyons like the Arada Canyon. A holiday to this place can be made even more special by combining it with a relaxed stay on the beach of the Gulf of Aqaba and by adding to its adventure with snorkeling or diving.
