En Gedi Nature Reserve
Israel
Sunny and Hot
Ofer, our OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel) guide suggested a bathing suit for the trip to En Gedi. I was so excited - desert, heat and water. Must be an oasis!
Dead Sea
Beautiful!
En Gedi
En Gedi Map with the Dead Sea in foreground and high cliffs in background
We climbed the valley on the right - Wadi David
The En Gedi Nature Reserve, created in 1971, is located on the shore of the Dead Sea. The reserve has a variety of terrain, with altitudes from below sea level to tall cliffs. Two valleys run through the reserve and four springs supply approximately 3 million cubic meters of water a year. The result is an abundance of flora and fauna. And waterfalls and pools with lush stream-side vegetation.
Ibex, very tame
En Gedi is an ancient area; evidence of a temple from 4000 BC exits. The abundance of water has attracted animals & people (and agriculture) for generations. En Gedi has always been famous for its dates.
"I rose like the date palm in En Gedi" Ecclesiastics 24:4
We barely scratched the surface of the Nature Reserve. There are many miles of hiking trails, antiquities, a kubbutz, orchards, good birding and the rare possibility of a night sighting of a leopard, a desert mammal that is nearly extinct.
In the modern day, it appears that En Gedi is a popular site for school/ youth group trips. they appeared to be only interested in going in the water.
In fact it was downright crowded!
We persevered, going higher and higher up the canyon looking for the perfect spot.
At last! Heaven! And no people... sort of... not yet...
Getting your head wet in the waterfall was refreshing
Being the OAT guide is good!
The lushness and waterfalls of En Gedi were reminiscent of the small streams that flow into the Colorado in the Grand Canyon.
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