Birding in Eygpt

[Greeny]

Going to Sharm el sheikh in Feb 2008 any info would be greatly appreciated

[Jacqueline Burrell]

There are a number of birding sites in Sharm including Na'ama Bay, the Jolie Ville Sharm El Sheikh Golf course and water treatment plants one of which is south of the airport. Look out for the Marriott Hotel on the right. Immediately after the hotel there is a road to the right which leads across to desert to the mountains. Follow this road to the junction with the Sharm El Sheikh to Dahab road, continue straight on and the ponds are on the right after about a kilometre.

In the vicinity are: the Ras Mohammed National Park but don’t be put off by the fact it is known as a diver’s paradise as the area on dry land is superb for birds and other wildlife, Nabq Protected Area, Tiran Island and furthest a field, St Katherine's Monastery where the surrounding area is great for desert birds.

Where are you staying?

Jacqueline - a resident in Cairo

[Greeny]

Hi Jacqueline,

Thanks for all the info -you are the only person to respond - I was begining to think there were either no birds or no birders in Sharm !!
We are staying at the Sea Life Resort - do you happen to know of any guides in the area please?

regards, Greeny

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Hi Greeny

There is certainly no lack of birds but birders is a different matter. The local are not interested and birding tourism is very new here so there is a serious lack of local guides as well as a language problem as the Egyptians have Arabic names for birds.

But as you are staying at the Sea Life Resort you are on the edge of the Nabq protected area which it gives you a good start.

We have two experts in the country, an Egyptian ornithologist, Sherif Baha el Din and his American wife, Mindy whose website is www.birdingegypt.com/ Their e-mail address is on the site and they might be able to help you with a local guide. I know them both and they’re very helpful.

Happy New Year

:beer:

Jacqueline