The Most Beautiful Protectorates In Egypt

The land of the Nile, Egypt is home of a 7000-years-old civilization, the treasure-box of unique-Pharaonic attractions, and the host of some of the world’s top wonders. With Egypt’s natural beauty spreading between the seas and the deserts, here are some of the country’s most beautiful protectorates.

Ras Muhammad Nature Reserve

Located in the southern part of Sinai, Ras Muhammad is one of Egypt’s most famous national parks. Surrounded by the Gulf of Suez to the west and the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, it covers around 480 square km (around 185.3 square miles) of land and sea. Ras Muhammad hosts some of the most stunning coral-reef ecosystems as well as some of the Red Sea’s most spectacular fish species and sea creatures. Diving in Ras Muhammad is one of the most astonishing natural breaks a visitor can have within the breathtaking ecosystem of the Red Sea.

Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve, شرم الشيخ, رأس محمد، Qesm Sharm Ash Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt, +20 69 3660559

Salomon Zwergbarsch (Pseudochromis fridmani) | © Jürgen Damm/Wikimedia Commons

Saint Catherine National Park

Monastery, Park

Saint Catherine is another protectorate in south Sinai. Covering an area of 4350 square km (around 1679.6 square miles), the protectorate includes some of Sinai’s most appealing attractions like Mount Sinai and the Saint Catherine Monastery. Saint Catherine is known for its desert ecosystem and biodiversity as well as the unique plant, mammal and reptile species.

Saint Catherine, Qesm Sharm Ash Sheikh, Egypt

Egypt, Sinai peninsula | © Thomas Depenbusch/Flickr

Wadi El Rayan

Wadi El Rayan, El Rayan Valley, is a marvelous protectorate. Located in the Governorate of Faiyum, it stands out for its unique waterfalls, lakes, sand dunes, and rock formations. Also known for its mountains and oases, Wadi El Rayan hosts different types of plants, gazelles, foxes, birds, falcons, and eagles. Beside the natural ecosystem, the valley is famous for its archeological value and marine fossils.

Wadi El Rayan, Faiyum Governorate, Egypt

Wadi Elrayan | © Mohammed Moussa/Wikimedia Commons

Siwa Oasis

Siwa Oasis once had the ancient Egyptian name of Sekht-am, which means the palm land. That’s why, in addition to its fertile land, the oasis is known for its olive and palm trees. Located 25 meters (around 82 feet) below sea level and between the Egyptian Sand Sea of the Western Desert and the Qattara Depression, the Oasis has several springs scattered throughout its 80 km (49.7 miles) of length and 20 km (12.4 miles) of width.

Siwa Oasis, Qesm Siwah, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt

Siwaoasis | © Heksamarre/Wikimedia Commons

Nile Islands Protectorates

The different islands, including Elephantine, that scatter alongside the Nile River are held within the different governorates of Egypt. As they sit by the Nile, these islands host various species of fish and plants as well as unique ecosystems.

Elephantine, Sheyakhah Oula, Qism Aswan, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Elephantine Island | © David Stanley/Flickr

The White Desert, Farafra

The White Desert is one of the most famous attractions of the Western Egypt’s second-biggest depression, the Farafra Depression. Famous for its uniquely white-colored rock formations, The White Desert offers an appealing trip for both tourists and Egyptians alike.

Farafra, Al Farafrah, New Valley Governorate, Egypt

White desert, Egypt | © neiljs/Flickr

Wadi El Hitan

Park

One of the most iconic-paleontological sites of southwestern Cairo, Wadi El Hitan, the Whales Valley was named after the hundreds of fossils of some of the earliest forms of whales. Located in the Governorate of Faiyum, the valley is considered the only place in the world to hold such a great amount of fossils. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its fossils, the Valley represents one of the major evolution stories: the evolution of whales from a land-based animal to an ocean-based mammal.

Wadi Hitan National Park, Giza Governorate, Egypt, +20 114 674 2577

Bowl path | © Dale Gillard/Flickr

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