Elba Protected Area contains:

A - Mountains

B - Valleys: the most famous of which is Wadi El Gemal

C - Oases

D - Hills

First: The Mountains

The topography of the mountain ranges, as in the rest of the Eastern Desert, generally forms the watershed line, which slopes towards the Red Sea from the eastern side of these ranges. This watershed line passes over the highest mountain ranges closest to the coast. Consequently, the drainage channels to the east of this line are steeper and shorter as they flow towards the sea. These drainage channels that empty into the Red Sea include several major valleys, among them...

A - Elba Mountain Range

The Elba Mountain Range rises to 1435 meters above sea level. The most famous mountain, after which the reserve is named, rises to approximately 1435 meters. It is distinguished by the "Oasis of Fog" phenomenon, where its slopes are covered with green gateways and plants such as wild "Anbat" trees.

B - Shindib Mountain Range

The summit of Mount Shindib rises to approximately 1912 meters above sea level.

C - Jabal Shallal

Known as the Mountain of Waterfalls, it reaches a height of 1409 meters.

D - Jabal Abu Hadid

(1486 meters)

E - Jabal Hanqouf

(1430 meters)

R - Jabal Ararib

(1273 meters)

G - Jabal Al-Faraid

(1234 meters)

S - Jabal Hamata

This is the main mountain in the reserve, reaching a height of 1975 meters. It serves as a haven for birds of prey and wild animals.

Second: The Hills

It is interspersed with numerous small valleys

This area also features a series of hills composed of basement rocks and sedimentary rocks, ranging in width from 2 to 3 km. These hills are intersected by numerous small valleys flowing towards the sea from both the north and south of the range.

These small valleys can be divided according to their direction into:

A) The northwestern valleys, which flow northeast.

B) The central valleys, which flow east.

First: Valleys of the Western Region

In addition to the valleys mentioned above, there are other valleys of great importance located in the western region and within the reserve's boundaries. These valleys feed into the previously mentioned ones, including:

Wadi Al-Faq'a

Wadi Deif

Wadi Madhi

Wadi Al-Jamal

Wadi El Gemal (Valley of the Camels)

Since Wadi El Gemal is one of the most famous valleys in the Gebel Elba Nature Reserve, we decided to discuss it in more detail than others. It is located north of Gebel Elba, about 90 kilometers south of Marsa Alam. The name: It was named so because of the breeds and strains of camels that have lived and grazed in its vegetated valleys for thousands of years.

The Open Pastures

A hundreds of camels roam the valleys of Gebel Elba, grazing on acacia trees and the green slopes covered with rainwater.

Shalateen International Camel Market

This market houses the largest camel market in Egypt and is a historical market linking Egypt and Sudan.

Third: Details of the valleys of the Elba Mountain Reserve

1- The Major and Main Valleys

Wadi al-Dheeb

Considered the longest mountain valley in the Eastern Desert, reaching approximately 200 km in length. Its name, in the language of the Bishari tribes, refers to the low-lying area where flash floods collect, and which is covered with evergreen vegetation and forests of gazelle and acacia trees.

Wadi Hawdheen

One of the major valleys in the region, which slopes eastward and flows towards the Red Sea.

2- The Valleys of the Elba Mountain Slopes

(The Norhern and Eastern Region)

These valleys are characterized by high vegetation density resulting from the flow of water from the mist-filled oases down from the mountain peaks. Among them are:

Wadi Adib

Located opposite the historic port of Adhab, it is considered one of the most beautiful and largest catchment areas for the flash floods that descend from the green slopes.

Wadi Yahmib

Drains the waters of the northern flank of the mountain, and its length is characterized by dense acacia trees.

Wadi Kansisroub and Wadi Akaw

Sub-valleys extending along the northwestern slopes, distinguished by the presence of large rocks and fallen mountain masses.

3- The Valleys of the Southern and Western Flank

Wadi Sarmati

The main valley feeding the southern side of Elba Mountain, distinguished by its open spaces and unique clusters of wild acacia trees.

Wadi Abraq

A historically and environmentally renowned valley, it includes sub-valleys rich in animals and medicinal plants, such as the valleys of Al-Arqa, Ainah, Al-Jahiliyah, and Abu Sa'fah.

4 - The Famous Safari Valleys

The reserve attracts nature lovers during the rainy season through specific scenic valleys such as:

Wadi Ma Akoun

Wadi Yasis

Wadi Tu'di

Wadi Shab

Wadi Shallal...