Protected Areas

El Dababya (Luxor)

This protectorate sits just south of Luxor, and was only recently declared a natural reservce in 2008. The location is important to geologists, as it is a rare example of layers of rock from the Paleocene (56 million years ago) and Ecocene (33 million years ago) epochs. Whilst the area is small, at only 1 square km in size, its importance to scientific research means it is famous worldwide. 

Wadi Allaqi (Aswan)

This wadi has a length of 250km, stretching from Sudan to its mouth near Aswan. The area has been used by nomadic Bejas for many years as a place to graze livestock, collect medicinal plants, charcoal for fuel, and for small scale agriculture. The site is famous for its gold and rock inscriptions, making it an important site for both tangible and intangible heritage.

Saluga and Ghazal (Aswan)

These two small granite islands in the Nile make up the smallest nature reserve in southern Egypt, not exceeding half a kilometre, and are home to around 94 species in the flora. 

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis

Luxor's ancient monuments are protected as a World Heritage Site under UNESCO, as they act as a "striking testimony to Egyptian civilisation at its height".

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae

This archaeological area and the monuments, such as the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, are protected as a World Heritage Site under UNESCO. The monuments were saved by the Nubian Campaign.