Taba National Protectorate
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 5,000 years.
What can be found at The Taba Protectorate?
Many rare wildlife reside within the protectorate, and the scenic setup is lovely with the traditional heritage of nomads—the valley's parts help protect wildlife like deer, giant 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 a group of hills about 1000 m high here. The natural setup of the place is lovely and unique and attracts a large number of tourists. The animals found here include hyrax, Nubian ibex, wolf, hyena, deer, and others. The mountaintops also feature wild birds like Egyptian vultures, eagles, bearded vultures, and golden eagles.
Several water springs are also present in the area, giving it a unique setting, including Hadra Spring in Wadi Ghazala 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 to protect 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 many tourists every year. The protection has many geological formations like caves, desert landscapes, steep-walled wadis, mountainous passages, and natural freshwater springs.
The natural treasure of the protectorate
The protected area contains 25 species of mammals, 50 kinds of rare birds, 24 species of reptiles, and approximately 480 species of plants.
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. The black eagle (Aquila verreauxii) and the rare lammergeyer (Gypaetus barbarus) are other animal species that breed in this area.
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 explore the area is on a camel safari, walking to sights like the Nawamis, hiking to Gabal Mileihis and Gabal Makharum, and climbing 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 adding to its adventure with snorkeling or diving.
