Overview:

Wadi el-Rayan Reserve is a large protected area of desert, marshland and lakes located in the Faiyum Oasis of Egypt. It is the largest protected area in the Faiyum region and is a designated Ramsar site. The reserve covers approximately 400 km2 and is home to many species of plants and animals, including large numbers of migratory birds. It consists of two large lakes, Wadi el-Rayan and Lake Qarun, and a number of smaller wetlands and lagoons. The reserve is part of a larger landscape that includes a system of protected areas and natural reserves that link the Nile Valley and the Western Desert. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

1. Wadi el-Rayan Reserve: Wadi el-Rayan is one of Egypt’s largest natural reserves, covering an area of over 51 square miles (83km²). It was established in 1989 and is located on agricultural land in southwest Faiyum Governorate. 2. Lakes: Wadi el-Rayan is home to two lakes; Wadi el-Rayan and el-Heiz. The larger lake, Wadi el-Rayan, is over 32 sq. miles (52 km²). It is formed by a series of check dams built to control surface water runoff from the surrounding mountains. El-Heiz is the smallest lake at 1.6 sq. miles (2.5km²) and is brackish. 3. Wildlife: The wetlands of Wadi el-Rayan are home to a rich variety of birds and other wildlife. There are over 200 species of birds, including large flocks of Pink and White Pelicans, Great Cormorants, and other waterbirds. A diversity of mammals, reptiles and amphibians can also be found in the reserve. 4. Trails and Visitor Centers: Wadi el-Rayan Reserve has several hiking trails, including a 9.3-mile (15 km) circuit around the lakes. There are also several visitor centers where visitors can learn more about the reserve and its wildlife. 5. Ecotourism: The Reserve provides a unique opportunity for ecotourism in the region. It offers visitors the opportunity to explore the natural landscape and observe local wildlife from a safe distance. The reserve also provides employment opportunities for local people, as well as economic benefits for the wider community. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

Wadi El-Rayan (the "Valley of the Wells") is a protected area in the Faiyum province of Egypt. It is an evolutionary ecosystem with high biodiversity and an invaluable resource for nature conservation. It is one of only two protected wetland areas in Egypt, covering an area of approximately 46,000 hectares. The area is one of the most beautiful in the Faiyum region and is home to a large number of species of birds, mammals and reptiles, including the critically endangered Egyptian cheetah (the world’s rarest big cat). The wetland was declared a protected area in 1989 by presidential decree in order to conserve its unique ecosystem and its biodiversity. Wadi El-Rayan was declared a Ramsar Site, a wetland of international importance, in 1995. It forms part of the Futuh Al-Futuh network of Wetlands of International Importance, and in 2008, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The area was once the site of several ancient oases, including the lost city of Heracleion, which has since been discovered at the bottom of an Egyptian lake. The plant and animal life of Wadi El-Rayan has been affected by the construction of a large man-made lake. This lake was created to supply fresh water to the nearby city of Faiyum, but it has since become a popular destination for both tourists and locals. The lake has altered the dynamics of the area’s ecology, leading to an increase in the number and variety of water birds found in the area. The area also supports a large number of reptiles, amphibians, mammals and invertebrates. In recent years, Wadi El-Rayan has become increasingly popular with travelers and adventurers. The area is visited by those hoping to see rare wildlife species, visit its seven spectacular waterfalls, explore its ancient tombs, or simply to take in the natural beauty of the Faiyum. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Wadi El-Rayan is the first designated wetland reserve in Egypt, and the only protected area in the Faiyum Oasis. 2. It is the only wetland in the Faiyum depression, and plays an important role in supporting the biodiversity in the region. 3. Wadi El-Rayan is an important wintering ground for migratory birds, including greater flamingos, as well as many other species of waterbirds, migrating geese and ducks. 4. The reserve is home to more than 110 species of birds, including seven species of fish, 32 species of mammals and 17 species of reptiles. 5. The Reserve covers an area of approximately 15,000 hectares and includes two artificial lakes, two permanent lakes, two wetlands and surrounding agricultural land. 6. Wadi el-Rayan is home to many rare and endangered species, including the desert monitor lizard, Bustard, Arabian Spiny-tailed Lizard, Mountain Gazelle and Icefox. 7. Wadi El-Rayan has been declared an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International, as it has a rich bird population, including two particularly rare species, the Lesser Kestrel and the Arabian Spiny-tailed Lizard. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era