Wadi El Rayan is a unique nature protectorate in Faiyum Governorate, Egypt, under the supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Affairs (EEAA). It is a natural depression in the western desert of Egypt, 42m below sea level. Later, it was designated as a Protected Area in 1989 to protect the area’s biological, geological and cultural resources. Wadi El-Rayan Protected Area covers 1759 km2 in the southern part of El-Fayoum.
The waterfalls are one of the best-known attractions in the Wadi El-Rayan Protected Area. The area conserves large expanses of desert containing a variety of landscapes and formations. Rare and fascinating wildlife is found in the desert of Wadi El-Rayan, along with fossils of creatures of past epochs and cultural heritage sites from ancient civilizations.
Location of Wadi El-Rayan protectorate
Wadi El-Rayan protectorate was selected in 1989 after a declaration by Egypt’s prime minister. It is located in Fayoum governorate and covers an area of 1,759 square km. It is primarily known for its natural heritage and resource development. Wadi El-Rayan protectorate is 150 km from Cairo.
Etymology
Wadi El-Rayan protectorate, located less than two hours from Cairo, is one of Egypt’s most famous nature reserves. It was named after King El Rayan Ibn El Walid, who had lived in the area with his army. The nature reserve is part of the Fayoum governorate and is located about 75 km away from El Fayoum city.
Geography
The valley of Wadi El-Rayan is an area of 1759 km2, 113 km2 of which is the dominating water body of the Wadi El Rayan lakes. It is about 65 km southwest of Faiyum City and 80 km west of the Nile River. The Wadi has been used for artificial lakes from agricultural drainage, which has made a reserve of the two separate Wadi El Rayan Lakes. The reserve comprises a 50.90 km2 upper lake and a 62.00 km2 lower lake, with waterfalls between the two. Among the springs are three sulphur springs on the southern side of the lower lake, with extensive mobile dunes. Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls are considered to be the largest waterfalls in Egypt.
At the south and southeast of the springs is Gabal Manqueer Al Rayan, where marine fossils and archaeological remains are found. Gabal Madwera, near the lower lake, is known for its extensive dune formations.
In the northwest is Wadi El Hitan, a protectorate containing fossils of extinct whales.
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)
Wadi Al-Hitan, Whale Valley, in the Western Desert of Egypt, contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliest and extinct suborder of whales, Archaeoceti. These fossils represent one of the powerful stories of evolution: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal. This is the most critical site in the world for demonstrating this stage of evolution. It vividly portrays the form and lifeway of these whales during their transition. The number, concentration and quality of such fossils here are unique, as are their accessibility and setting in an attractive and protected landscape. The fossils of Al-Hitan show the youngest archaeocetes in the last stages of losing their hind limbs. Other fossil material in the site makes it possible to reconstruct the surrounding environmental and ecological conditions of the time.
Flora and fauna
The vegetation is confined to inter-dune areas around springs and at the base of giant dunes. The vegetation cover comprises 13 species of perennial plants and a few individuals of Calligonum comosum and Zygophyllum album.
Wadi El Rayan accommodates one of the world’s few populations of the endangered slender-horned gazelle. The Dorcas gazelle is still in the area in small numbers, while the fennec fox and Rüppell’s fox are scarce. There are 11 species of reptiles, nine species of mammals, 13 species of resident birds, and 26 species of migrant and vagrant birds.
