From Nile to Mountains – A Tale of Egypt’s Birds

Depart Cairo early and drive northeast towards Port Said, the iconic Mediterranean gateway at the entrance to the Suez Canal.Upon arrival, begin the day with a guided panoramic city tour:

Following the city exploration, continue to Ashtoum El Gamil Reserve, a Ramsar-listed wetland located at the western edge of Lake Manzala.Explore the lagoons, reedbeds, and marshes, rich with migratory birdlife.

Birdwatching:

Expect sightings of:

Evening at leisure along the Mediterranean Corniche of Port Said. Overnight stay in a hotel in Port Said.

Birdwatching:

• During the transfer drive along the coast, scan for coastal birds such as gulls, terns, and possibly migrating raptors overhead.Evening arrival at Zaranik offers the chance to spot flocks of waders and waterfowl gathering for roosting. Overnight stay in a tented camp inside Zaranik Reserve.

Spend the entire day deeply exploring the ecosystems of Zaranik, one of the key migratory bird stopovers in the eastern Mediterranean.Traverse its mosaic of salt flats, lagoons, sand dunes, and coastal wetlands, guided by your expert birdwatching specialist.

Birdwatching:

Species frequently observed include:

Early morning and late afternoon are the golden hours when the air fills with the movement and sounds of thousands of birds.Watch as flocks of herons, ducks, and shorebirds rise against the pink and golden hues of the desert sky. Enjoy meals prepared at the camp and evening talks about the ecology and importance of Egypt’s wetlands. Overnight stay in Zaranik camp.

Continue your desert journey, passing through Wadi Mukattab (the "Valley of Inscriptions"), where ancient travelers engraved graffiti and prayers into the cliffs.Explore the surreal geological formations known as the Forest of Pillars before ascending to St. Catherine, the spiritual heart of Sinai.In the late afternoon, begin the ascent of Mount Moses (Jebel Musa), revered in Abrahamic faiths as the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments. From the summit at sunset, witness breathtaking vistas across the mountainous desert.

Around Wadi Mukattab and in the rocky passes of Sinai, birdwatchers may spot Sinai rosefinches, Tristram’s starlings, and Egyptian vultures soaring high against the cliffs.

Visit the world-renowned St. Catherine’s Monastery, founded in the 6th century and home to some of Christianity’s oldest surviving manuscripts and icons.Afterward, descend from the heights and drive to Taba, a scenic coastal town where you can gaze across the Gulf of Aqaba to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel.Brief stop in Taba for refreshments before continuing south toward the marine reserve of Ras Mohamed.

In St. Catherine’s gardens and surrounding wadis, look for Sinai serins, hooded wheatears, and rock thrushes resting among the monastery’s ancient olive groves.

Spend a full day at Ras Mohamed, Egypt’s premier marine and coastal nature reserve, famous for its dramatic coral reefs and vibrant marine life.
For birdwatchers, the park’s lagoons, mangroves, and salt pans are vital stopover points for migratory birds.
Explore the coastline, snorkel among dazzling reef fish, or simply relax by the crystal-clear waters.
Key avian species include white-eyed gulls (an endemic Red Sea species), sooty gulls, herons, ospreys, and terns. Flamingos are occasionally spotted during the migration seasons.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive back to Cairo through the varied landscapes of Sinai.The journey offers a final opportunity to observe desert-adapted species such as larks and ravens against the rugged Sinai backdrops.Arrive in Cairo and settle back into your hotel for a final evening at leisure.

Transfer to Cairo International Airport for your outbound flight, completing a journey rich in ancient history, profound landscapes, and the timeless magic of Egypt’s birds and deserts.