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Ein Gedi

Dead Sea  >  Israel

Nature reserve with spring-fed mountain streams, eco centre, botanical garden and Kibbutz on the Dead Sea shoreline.

Added* by Iain Crawford
Most recent update 12 Ιουνίου 2024

Description

The Ein Gedi natural park has a rich flora and fauna, rocks and waterfalls. It is a real oasis in the dry desert. Two rivers (wadis) run through the green valleys that provide a stark contrast to the arid desert landscape in the area. Desert wildlife of Ein Gedi includes Nubian ibex, red fox, jackal, rock hyrax, dorcas gazelles, fat-tailed scorpion (aggressive and very toxic, but thankfully nocturnal). The rift valley running through Israel is a migration pinch point where 50,000 Λευκός Πελαργός, 400,000 (Ευρωπαϊκός) Σφηκιάρης, 140,000 Κραυγαετός pass through in spring and autumn, along with shrikes, terns, flamingoes, egrets, (Ευρωπαϊκό) Μαυροκιρκίνεζο, Ψαραετός, Αγκαθοκαλημάνα, Σιγλίγουρος and many more. Plant life includes tamarisk, baobab and several cactus species.

In the irrigated kibbutz area, bee-eaters, grackles, Τσαλαπετεινός, Αραβoφλύαρoς and Common Bulbul may be seen.

The path up to the waterfall is precarious and requires agility. Always take plenty of water and avoid midday heat. The circular route marked on the map is about 10 km, with 700 feet of ascent.

Details

Access

Ein Gedi is on the north-south highway 90. It is 30 miles south of Jericho and 120 miles north of Eilat. Click on a P in the map to get directions or coordinates.

Terrain and Habitat

Mountain , Canyon/cliff , Desert , Steppe , Lake , Agriculture , Scattered trees and bushes , Plateau

Conditions

No shadow , Slippery , Dry , Open landscape , Rocky , Hilly , Dusty

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn

Best time to visit

Spring , Autumn migration , Autumn

Route

Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Strenuous

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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