Wadi El Rayan National Park is one of Egypt’s most famous natural reserves, located less than two hours from Cairo. The natural reserve, which is part of the El Fayoum governorate and about 75 kilometers from El Fayoum city, is named after King El Rayan Ibn El Walid, who lived in the region with his troops.
Wadi El Rayan Components
The upper and lower lakes, El Rayan Springs, El Rayan Falls, El Modawara Mountain (or Jabal El Modawara in Arabic), El Rayan Mountain (Jabal El Rayan), and Wadi El Hitan make up the Wadi El Rayan reserve (The Valley of the Whales). All of these regions have breathtaking scenery, including oases, mountains, rock formations, and waterfalls.
You can find white gazelles, Egyptian gazelles, sand foxes, and fennec foxes in the region. Uncommon resident and migrating bird species, as well as several types of eagles and falcons, also live here. The area attracts archaeologists and geologists because of the abundance of marine fossils and ancient artifacts they find there. They named the Valley of the Whales, also known as Wadi El Hitan, for the prehistoric whale fossils they unearthed in the region. These are thought to be the oldest whale fossils ever discovered and have earned the valley UNESCO World Heritage status.
Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls
Wadi El Rayan’s waterfalls are about 15 kilometers on the left side of the road from the reserve’s gate (of which nearly two kilometers are unpaved). The waterfalls are magnificent, but due to the government’s sad lack of upkeep, they appear worn out; hardly the ideal sight for a tourist. We advise you to spend less time here and more time exploring the intriguing protectorate.
Mudawara Mountain at Wadi El Rayan
Jabal El Modawara, only five kilometers away, is the epitome of beauty. The view from above will easily steal your breath away as you ascend this spectacular mountain– which isn’t that difficult to climb, by the way. It’s also an excellent place to go bird-watching, especially if you’re hoping to see eagles or falcons.
Adventurers who travel farther than Jabal El Modawara can visit Magic Lake, a tiny lake surrounded by sand dunes. This location is ideal for sandboarding and swimming. You may travel east for 30 kilometers past Magic Lake on a gravel road to Wadi El Hitan.
The significance of Wadi El-Rayan can be attributed to the fact that it is a natural habitat for endangered animals such as white deer, Egyptian deer, sand fox, wolf, and rare migrating birds such as shahin falcon, deer falcon, free falcon, and other types of migrating birds such as ducks, quail, herons, goats, and others. Aquil, Zygophyllum, Athl Tomarex, Halfa, Ghatdaa, Ghaab, Sammaar, reed, and other wild plants.
Entrance Fees:
1. Wadi El Rayan
- Egyptian 10 L.E
- Foreigner 5 US Dollar
- Car/ bus 10 L.E
- Camping 50 L.E for Egyptians and 200 L.E for foreigner
2. Valley of the Whales (Wadi El Hitan)
- Egyptian 25 L.E
- Foreigner 10 US
- Car/bus 10 L.E
- Camping 50 L.E Egyptian – 200 L.E Foreigner
Explore Wadi El Rayan National Park with Egypt Fun Tours
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