Date of Announcement : 2007
Area : 1 km2
Type : Geological protected area
Thursday, May 20, 2010
El Gulf El Kebeer
Date of Announcement : 2007 
Area : 48523 km2
Type : Natural and Cultural National Park Protected Area
The western side of the Gilf Kebir was explored in 1932 by the Clayton-Almásy Expedition, headed by Sir Robert East Clayton and Count László E. Almásy, and accompanied by Patrick. A Clayton, Squadron Leader H. W. G. J. Penderel, three Arab car drivers and a cook. The expedition explored the area by Gypsy moth plane, by car and on foot.
The Uweinat mountain range at the very south of the plateau is shared between Egypt, Libya and Sudan.
In 2006, Gilf Kebir Desert was the site of an extreme sports record from Italian runner Stefano Miglietti. On the 14th of December, 2006, Miglietti crossed this egyptian desert by foot. He spent only 3 days and 5 hours to cover the full 340 km trail, running at an average speed of 9 km/h. He started from Wadi Mashi and arrived at Silica Glass, a desert close to the Gilf Kebir desert.
The plateau was the site for various British logistical operations during the second world war, and due to the extremely dry conditions and lack of population, remains of this occupation are often found intact. A large airbase, including huge navigation arrows laid out in army petrol cans, can still be seen.
It was also the site of the recent discovery of a bag which had been lost in the second world war by a dispatch rider (Alec Ross) of the long range desert Group, part of the British Army. This contained the rider's personal letters and photographs, and had been well preserved.
The Gilf Kebir is known for its prehistoric (Neolithic) petroglyphs
• Karkur Talh and Karkur Murr: major eastern valleys of the Uweinat contain one of the richest concentrations of rock art in the whole Sahara.
• Western Uweinat: Shelters under the huge granite boulders in the western Uweinat contain numerous paintings, including the famous sites of Ain Doua.
• Jebel Arkenu, Jebel Kissu & Yerguehda Hill, the lesser granite massifs around Uweinat have many smaller sites.
• Mogharet el Kantara in the southern Gilf Kebir contains only one known rock art site, a cave discovered by Shaw & party in 1936.
• Wadi Sura in the northwestern Gilf Kebir: the "Cave of swimmers", discovered by the Hungarian Count László Almásy The English Patient), plus many other paintings nearby.
• The North-western half of the Gilf Kebir aside from Wadi Sura has only a few scattered engravings, of an apparently very ancient age.
• In January 2003, Zarzora Expeditions and Jacopo Foggini independently announced the discovery of a major new rock art site in the Western Gilf Kebir.
Area : 48523 km2
Type : Natural and Cultural National Park Protected Area
The western side of the Gilf Kebir was explored in 1932 by the Clayton-Almásy Expedition, headed by Sir Robert East Clayton and Count László E. Almásy, and accompanied by Patrick. A Clayton, Squadron Leader H. W. G. J. Penderel, three Arab car drivers and a cook. The expedition explored the area by Gypsy moth plane, by car and on foot.
The Uweinat mountain range at the very south of the plateau is shared between Egypt, Libya and Sudan.
In 2006, Gilf Kebir Desert was the site of an extreme sports record from Italian runner Stefano Miglietti. On the 14th of December, 2006, Miglietti crossed this egyptian desert by foot. He spent only 3 days and 5 hours to cover the full 340 km trail, running at an average speed of 9 km/h. He started from Wadi Mashi and arrived at Silica Glass, a desert close to the Gilf Kebir desert.
The plateau was the site for various British logistical operations during the second world war, and due to the extremely dry conditions and lack of population, remains of this occupation are often found intact. A large airbase, including huge navigation arrows laid out in army petrol cans, can still be seen.
It was also the site of the recent discovery of a bag which had been lost in the second world war by a dispatch rider (Alec Ross) of the long range desert Group, part of the British Army. This contained the rider's personal letters and photographs, and had been well preserved.
The Gilf Kebir is known for its prehistoric (Neolithic) petroglyphs
• Karkur Talh and Karkur Murr: major eastern valleys of the Uweinat contain one of the richest concentrations of rock art in the whole Sahara.
• Western Uweinat: Shelters under the huge granite boulders in the western Uweinat contain numerous paintings, including the famous sites of Ain Doua.
• Jebel Arkenu, Jebel Kissu & Yerguehda Hill, the lesser granite massifs around Uweinat have many smaller sites.
• Mogharet el Kantara in the southern Gilf Kebir contains only one known rock art site, a cave discovered by Shaw & party in 1936.
• Wadi Sura in the northwestern Gilf Kebir: the "Cave of swimmers", discovered by the Hungarian Count László Almásy The English Patient), plus many other paintings nearby.
• The North-western half of the Gilf Kebir aside from Wadi Sura has only a few scattered engravings, of an apparently very ancient age.
• In January 2003, Zarzora Expeditions and Jacopo Foggini independently announced the discovery of a major new rock art site in the Western Gilf Kebir.
Red Sea Northern Islands
Date of Announcement : 2006
Area : 1991 km2
Type : Developing resources protected area
Area : 1991 km2
Type : Developing resources protected area
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Natural white Desert Protected Area in El Wady EL Gedid
Date of Announcement : 2002 
Area : 3010 km2
Type : Desert and landscape protected area
Distance from Cairo : 570 km
The importance of the white desert area is attributed to the fact that it is a unique model of the Karst phenomenon. It is an open museum for studying desert environments, geographical phenomena, fossils and wild life. It has relics and tombs that date back to prehistory and include a group of rare tombs and caves remains of ancient mummies and carvings. The area is distinguished with the beauty of the sand dunes. Geological formations of bright white limestone rocks and distinctive fossils. The white desert area has aground of white chalk where the geological formations are spread in the shape of snowy white chalk columns formed by the act of wind and sloppy hills , a matter which gives the area a unique nature and geological position . Al-Farafra fall crosses the white chalk layer which is a part of an obviously spread rocky unit known as the chalk unit.
Area : 3010 km2
Type : Desert and landscape protected area
Distance from Cairo : 570 km
The importance of the white desert area is attributed to the fact that it is a unique model of the Karst phenomenon. It is an open museum for studying desert environments, geographical phenomena, fossils and wild life. It has relics and tombs that date back to prehistory and include a group of rare tombs and caves remains of ancient mummies and carvings. The area is distinguished with the beauty of the sand dunes. Geological formations of bright white limestone rocks and distinctive fossils. The white desert area has aground of white chalk where the geological formations are spread in the shape of snowy white chalk columns formed by the act of wind and sloppy hills , a matter which gives the area a unique nature and geological position . Al-Farafra fall crosses the white chalk layer which is a part of an obviously spread rocky unit known as the chalk unit.
Wadi El Gemal - Hamata Protected Area
Date of Announcement : 2003 
Area : 7450 km2
Type : Desert protected area
Distance from Cairo : 850 km
Location and description of Wadi El Gemal - Hamata Protected Area
The Protected Area encompasses the segment of the Red Sea coastal plain and mountains extending roughly between 24°51'N in the north and 24°06'N in the south; and between the Red Sea shoreline in the east to about 34°28'E in the west (the Sheikh Shazli road). The protected area also encompasses a section of the marine environment including the islands of Hamata and Wadi El Gemal Island.
Description of Wadi El Gemal - Hamata Protected Area
The protected area includes marine and terrestrial components. The terrestrial component encompasses roughly a 50 X 50 km segment of the Red Sea hills and coastal desert. Wadi El Gemal and its delta are the central theme of the protected area and the area encompasses the entire watershed of the wadi. However, the protected area takes in other adjacent desert and marine habitats, which complement the wadi, both ecologically and functionally (i.e. in terms of representing a meaningful management unit). Wadi El Gemal is the third largest wadi in the Eastern Desert draining into the Red Sea, and one of the best vegetated, with an estimated watershed area of some 1,840 km² (GEF 1998). The wadi watershed includes the northern flanks of Gebel Hamata in the south, as well as the southern flanks of Gebel Nugrus in the north. Several other important wadis are encompassed in the protected area such as Wadi Abu Ghosoun, Wadi El Ringa and Wadi El Rada. Several important peaks are included such as Gebel Hamata Gebel Nugrus, Gebel Hafafit, Gebel Hamamid, Gebel Sartut and Gebel Sikeit. The shores of the region are heterogeneous in nature encompassing rocky, sandy and muddy beaches. The coastline has several important landmarks such as the headlands of Ras Baghdadi and Ras Hankorab, and Sarm El Luli bay. The marine component of the protected area encompasses a strip of marine waters of an average width of 15 km. This component includes all the important coral reefs in the region, as well as four marine islands (the Hamata archipelago and Wadi El Gemal Island).
Area : 7450 km2
Type : Desert protected area
Distance from Cairo : 850 km
Location and description of Wadi El Gemal - Hamata Protected Area
The Protected Area encompasses the segment of the Red Sea coastal plain and mountains extending roughly between 24°51'N in the north and 24°06'N in the south; and between the Red Sea shoreline in the east to about 34°28'E in the west (the Sheikh Shazli road). The protected area also encompasses a section of the marine environment including the islands of Hamata and Wadi El Gemal Island.
Description of Wadi El Gemal - Hamata Protected Area
The protected area includes marine and terrestrial components. The terrestrial component encompasses roughly a 50 X 50 km segment of the Red Sea hills and coastal desert. Wadi El Gemal and its delta are the central theme of the protected area and the area encompasses the entire watershed of the wadi. However, the protected area takes in other adjacent desert and marine habitats, which complement the wadi, both ecologically and functionally (i.e. in terms of representing a meaningful management unit). Wadi El Gemal is the third largest wadi in the Eastern Desert draining into the Red Sea, and one of the best vegetated, with an estimated watershed area of some 1,840 km² (GEF 1998). The wadi watershed includes the northern flanks of Gebel Hamata in the south, as well as the southern flanks of Gebel Nugrus in the north. Several other important wadis are encompassed in the protected area such as Wadi Abu Ghosoun, Wadi El Ringa and Wadi El Rada. Several important peaks are included such as Gebel Hamata Gebel Nugrus, Gebel Hafafit, Gebel Hamamid, Gebel Sartut and Gebel Sikeit. The shores of the region are heterogeneous in nature encompassing rocky, sandy and muddy beaches. The coastline has several important landmarks such as the headlands of Ras Baghdadi and Ras Hankorab, and Sarm El Luli bay. The marine component of the protected area encompasses a strip of marine waters of an average width of 15 km. This component includes all the important coral reefs in the region, as well as four marine islands (the Hamata archipelago and Wadi El Gemal Island).
Natural Siwa Protected Area in Matrouh Governorate
Date of Announcement : 2002 
Area : 7800 km2
Type : Desert and cultural protected area
Distance from Cairo : 800 km
Siwa Oasis is one of the areas rich with distinguished tourists attractions including monuments tourism, therapeutic tourism, safari tourism and desert tourism, due to its distinctive monuments area such as Amoun temple as well as the scriptures and paintings of kings offering sacrifice to Gods. The hall of crowning Alexander the Great, the Dead Mountain in Aldakrour area, which has some ancient mummeries and tombs from the Roman age, having a group of coins and old jewelry . There is also Deheba area which includes tombs engraved in the rocks from the Greek Roman era, and also Khamisa area including a group of tombs dating back to the Greek age. The biological variety of Siwa is characterized by the existence of more than 40 species of wild plants including medical , pastoral and other plants that help stabilize sand. Some of them have significant genetic origins, besides mimosa and Athl trees . Moreover, there are around 28 species of wild mammals, some of them are threatened with extinction like hyena, Egyptian deer, white deer, red fox and, in addition 32 reptiles and around 164 species of birds besides numerous invertebrates and insects .
Area : 7800 km2
Type : Desert and cultural protected area
Distance from Cairo : 800 km
Siwa Oasis is one of the areas rich with distinguished tourists attractions including monuments tourism, therapeutic tourism, safari tourism and desert tourism, due to its distinctive monuments area such as Amoun temple as well as the scriptures and paintings of kings offering sacrifice to Gods. The hall of crowning Alexander the Great, the Dead Mountain in Aldakrour area, which has some ancient mummeries and tombs from the Roman age, having a group of coins and old jewelry . There is also Deheba area which includes tombs engraved in the rocks from the Greek Roman era, and also Khamisa area including a group of tombs dating back to the Greek age. The biological variety of Siwa is characterized by the existence of more than 40 species of wild plants including medical , pastoral and other plants that help stabilize sand. Some of them have significant genetic origins, besides mimosa and Athl trees . Moreover, there are around 28 species of wild mammals, some of them are threatened with extinction like hyena, Egyptian deer, white deer, red fox and, in addition 32 reptiles and around 164 species of birds besides numerous invertebrates and insects .
Monday, May 10, 2010
Nile river Islands Protected Area in Different Governorate
Date of Announcement : 1998 
Area : 160 km2
Type : Wet lands protected area
Distance from Cairo : 144 islands in different Governorate
The Nile River islands are natural protected areas amounting to 144 islands in different Governorates in Egypt. Alongside the main stream from Aswan until the Barrages , there are 95 Islands within anrea of 32500 Feddans . In Rasheed branch there are 30 islands within an area of 3400 Feddans, in Damietta Branch there are 19 islands within and area of 1250 Feddans. The total area of all the Nile River islands is 37150 Feddans.
Area : 160 km2
Type : Wet lands protected area
Distance from Cairo : 144 islands in different Governorate
The Nile River islands are natural protected areas amounting to 144 islands in different Governorates in Egypt. Alongside the main stream from Aswan until the Barrages , there are 95 Islands within anrea of 32500 Feddans . In Rasheed branch there are 30 islands within an area of 3400 Feddans, in Damietta Branch there are 19 islands within and area of 1250 Feddans. The total area of all the Nile River islands is 37150 Feddans.
El-Brolus Protected Area in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate
Date of announcement : 1998 
Area : 460 km2
Type : wetlands protected area
Distance from Cairo : 300 km
El-Brolus lake is the second largest natural lagoon in Egypt . It has a number of environments including saline and cane swamps as well as sand plains. On the Lagoon shores there are high sand dunes. Each of these environments has its own soil characteristics. This reflects on the importance of these environments as a natural place for almost 135 amphibious plant species . The wetland environments have a significant role in receiving immigrating wild birds .
Area : 460 km2
Type : wetlands protected area
Distance from Cairo : 300 km
El-Brolus lake is the second largest natural lagoon in Egypt . It has a number of environments including saline and cane swamps as well as sand plains. On the Lagoon shores there are high sand dunes. Each of these environments has its own soil characteristics. This reflects on the importance of these environments as a natural place for almost 135 amphibious plant species . The wetland environments have a significant role in receiving immigrating wild birds .
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Taba protected Area in South Sinai Governorate
Date of announcement: 1998 
Area : 3595 km2
Type : Desert and natural heritage protected area
Distance from Cairo : 550 km
The area is characterized by its distinguished Geological formations and monument sites that date back to 5000 years ago, as well the rare wild life and nice scenery and traditional heritage of nomads: Some of these valleys are significant as a support for wild life like deer , large birds including bustard. These valleys have important plant communities like acacia. 72 species of plants have been recorded in water valley including Ba'ataran, Ratam and Rimth . In the adjacent areas there is a big group of plants amounting to 480 species. A group of hills that are over 1000 m. high exist in the area. They are beautiful enough to attract all kinds of tourists. The rocks have several splits and a crossed separations, and represent a habitat for plants and animals. The animals of the area include hyrax , Nubian ibex , wolf, hyena , deer and others. There are some wild birds like Egyptian vulture, eagle Brearded vulture and the golden eagle on top of mountains. The area is also distinguished with a group of water springs like Hadra spring in Wadi Ghazala and Oum Ahmed spring in Wadi Elswana , Fortaga spring in Wadi Wateer , which can be easily visited, and flow on the ground surface .
Area : 3595 km2
Type : Desert and natural heritage protected area
Distance from Cairo : 550 km
The area is characterized by its distinguished Geological formations and monument sites that date back to 5000 years ago, as well the rare wild life and nice scenery and traditional heritage of nomads: Some of these valleys are significant as a support for wild life like deer , large birds including bustard. These valleys have important plant communities like acacia. 72 species of plants have been recorded in water valley including Ba'ataran, Ratam and Rimth . In the adjacent areas there is a big group of plants amounting to 480 species. A group of hills that are over 1000 m. high exist in the area. They are beautiful enough to attract all kinds of tourists. The rocks have several splits and a crossed separations, and represent a habitat for plants and animals. The animals of the area include hyrax , Nubian ibex , wolf, hyena , deer and others. There are some wild birds like Egyptian vulture, eagle Brearded vulture and the golden eagle on top of mountains. The area is also distinguished with a group of water springs like Hadra spring in Wadi Ghazala and Oum Ahmed spring in Wadi Elswana , Fortaga spring in Wadi Wateer , which can be easily visited, and flow on the ground surface .
Abu Gallum protected area in South Sinai Governorate
Date of announcement : 1992 
Area : 500 Km2
Type : landscape protected area
Distance from Cairo : 600 km
The importance of Abu - Gallum area is represented in the existence of a special Topography. The mountains are near the beaches and include various environmental systems of coral reefs, sea creatures, sea herbs, lagoons, mountain and desert environment systems. The mountains and valleys are abundant of wild animals, birds and plants, which make the area a tourist attraction for the amateurs of diving, safari as well as bird and animal watching. The area comprises around 165 species of plants including 44 that only exist in this area. The area is known for the cave system existing under the water for more than 100 m. deep. This system is unstable and extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain this cave system and the environmental system of the area, which is an element of tourist attraction.
Area : 500 Km2
Type : landscape protected area
Distance from Cairo : 600 km
The importance of Abu - Gallum area is represented in the existence of a special Topography. The mountains are near the beaches and include various environmental systems of coral reefs, sea creatures, sea herbs, lagoons, mountain and desert environment systems. The mountains and valleys are abundant of wild animals, birds and plants, which make the area a tourist attraction for the amateurs of diving, safari as well as bird and animal watching. The area comprises around 165 species of plants including 44 that only exist in this area. The area is known for the cave system existing under the water for more than 100 m. deep. This system is unstable and extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain this cave system and the environmental system of the area, which is an element of tourist attraction.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Nabq protected Area in South Sinai Governorate
Date of Announcement : 1992 
Area : 600 km2
Type: Multipurpose protected area
Distance from Cairo : 500 km
Nabq protected Area is characterized by a number of important environmental systems like: coral reefs, sea and land creatures, large dense mangrove woods. It includes environmental systems of desert, mountain and valleys, and animals like deer, mountain goat, hyena, reptiles and a lot of migrating and resident birds beside invertebrates. Some nomad tribes live in this area. The area is a center of tourist attraction for amateurs of diving, safari and bird watching.
Area : 600 km2
Type: Multipurpose protected area
Distance from Cairo : 500 km
Nabq protected Area is characterized by a number of important environmental systems like: coral reefs, sea and land creatures, large dense mangrove woods. It includes environmental systems of desert, mountain and valleys, and animals like deer, mountain goat, hyena, reptiles and a lot of migrating and resident birds beside invertebrates. Some nomad tribes live in this area. The area is a center of tourist attraction for amateurs of diving, safari and bird watching.
Wadi Sanor Cave protected Area in Beni Sueif Governorate
Date of Announcement : 1992 
Area : 12 km2
Type : Geological protected area and national heritage
Distance from Cairo : 200 km
The protected area contains geological formations known as stalactites and stalgmites in a perfect beautiful way that formed through million years.
Area : 12 km2
Type : Geological protected area and national heritage
Distance from Cairo : 200 km
The protected area contains geological formations known as stalactites and stalgmites in a perfect beautiful way that formed through million years.
Its formation dates back to the middle Eocene period about 60 million years. As a result of the leakage of calcium carbonate saturated water solutions through the roof of the cave, then evaporated leaving behind those minerals that accumulated taking the shape of stalactites and stalgmites. The cave extends for 700m. It is 15m wide and 15 m deep. The importance of this cave is attributed to the rarity of these natural formations in the Egypt . They shed light on the circumstances of the ancient climate in this area and the age of its formation. It gives the researchers the chance to make comparative detailed studies according to the change in the nature of the Ancient environmental circumstances that dominated the middle Eocene period .
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Hassana Dome protected Area in Giza Governorate
Date of Announcement : 1989 
Area : 1 km2
Type : Geological protected area
Distance from Cairo : 23 km
Hassana Dome protected Area is a museum and specialized scientific institute that helps in studying geology and different geological formations like folds, Foults, also they can be compared with similar formations in other places. The existence of fossils gathering in perfect reserved colonies, makes Hassona Dome a perfect area for studying fossils science or the science of paleo life and also the features of the ancient environment and the extent of climate change which took place in the Area, especially the cretaceaus period ,which characterized this area.
The colonies of coral reefs fossils that characterized this area are the best guiding fossils that refer to the paleo environment, so these Morine fossils represent a complete record of the Ancient history.
Area : 1 km2
Type : Geological protected area
Distance from Cairo : 23 km
Hassana Dome protected Area is a museum and specialized scientific institute that helps in studying geology and different geological formations like folds, Foults, also they can be compared with similar formations in other places. The existence of fossils gathering in perfect reserved colonies, makes Hassona Dome a perfect area for studying fossils science or the science of paleo life and also the features of the ancient environment and the extent of climate change which took place in the Area, especially the cretaceaus period ,which characterized this area.
The colonies of coral reefs fossils that characterized this area are the best guiding fossils that refer to the paleo environment, so these Morine fossils represent a complete record of the Ancient history.
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