Wadi El Gemal National Park

Wadi El Gemal ("Valley of the Camels") National Park, declared in 2003, protects a roughly 7,450 sq km stretch of Red Sea coast and desert south of Marsa Alam, combining about 4,770 sq km of land with 2,100 sq km of marine area. Its seagrass beds support endangered dugongs and green turtles, and its reefs hold hundreds of coral and fish species. Inland, the park contains the ancient Roman emerald mines of Mons Smaragdus at Sikait — among the oldest emerald mines known and the main source of emeralds in the ancient world before the discovery of the Americas — including a rock-cut temple to Isis and mine workings that can still be visited. The park's local community is the Ababda, one of Egypt's oldest Bedouin desert tribes, traditionally camel- and goat-herding nomads who now also work as park guides.

The park is reached by road from Marsa Alam, the nearest town.

The Sikait/Mons Smaragdus emerald mines and rock-cut Isis temple, and the park's Red Sea coastline and islands, are its principal draws.

Snorkeling and diving on the reefs, wildlife viewing (dugongs, turtles), and desert excursions with Ababda Bedouin guides to the emerald mines are the main activities.

Marsa Alam, the nearest town and gateway.