Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is popular in Israel and well-known beyond its borders, thanks to its thickets of tropical vegetation, picturesque waterfalls and trusting animals. But the main thing that attracts tourists here is a striking contrast, because this riot of greenery is located in the middle of a sun-scorched desert. Here you can see a lot of interesting things, swim in one of the most unusual seas in the world, plunge into natural hot springs and get a lot of vivid impressions.
General information
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is an oasis with lush exotic vegetation and numerous waterfalls, located in the desert near the Dead Sea in Israel. Its name means “Goat’s Spring” in Hebrew. Unique natural conditions combined with creative activities of people have turned this place into a paradise that will give a lot of positive emotions to everyone who visits it.
Ein Gedi is located in Israel, at the point where the Judean Desert approaches the southern part of the west bank of the Dead Sea, in the area of the Tel Goren hill and the Nahal David Gorge. In addition to walking through the national park, you can relax on the beach, walk around the kibbutz, visit the historical ruins of an ancient settlement, take wellness treatments at the spa complex, buy unique cosmetics containing rare natural minerals.
Historical background
A source of fresh water in the middle of the desert – these advantageous natural conditions of Ein Gedi could not be ignored, since ancient times people settled here. The remains of an ancient city found during archaeological excavations on the hill of Tel Goren indicate that this settlement existed here from the VII century BC.
From the ruins of a Roman-Byzantine synagogue, preserved parts of the city’s water supply system and other archaeological finds, scientists were able to get an idea of the life and activities of the inhabitants of the ancient city. In those distant times, the characteristic crops of these places were grown here – dates, fig trees, grapes, fruits and wine were sold.
Near the Dead Sea, salt was mined, for which merchants came from distant places. This valuable mineral at that time was in great demand, because in a hot climate without it it was impossible to store meat and fish, salt was also used in the processing of animal skins.
But in addition to these traditional occupations and concerns about the daily bread, the craftsmen of the city of Ein Gedi had secret knowledge that brought them even more impressive income. They knew the secret of getting a balm from the essential oils of the afarsemon tree. This aromatic substance was highly valued in the ancient world. It was used for ritual incense, and medicinal ointments were made from it. The wonderful aroma was extremely persistent, it did not fade even after many months.
Residents of the city, who were privy to the secrets of making balsam, jealously guarded this secret from strangers, because if they divulged this secret knowledge, they would lose a significant part of their income. A warning against secrecy was even laid out in mosaics on the floor of the synagogue. Well-preserved lines in Aramaic warned that those who would betray the secret of the city would face the wrath of God.
During its centuries-old history, the rich settlement was often invaded by warlike foreigners, repeatedly destroyed and restored. In the sixth century, the city was sacked and destroyed by warlike Arab nomads, and has since ceased to exist. The secret of making a precious balm has not been solved. You can see traces of the bygone culture of the past by visiting the excavations of this ancient city.
Nature Reserve today
When Israel became an independent state in 1948, a group of like-minded people gathered in Ein Gedi and decided to establish a kibbutz (agricultural commune) in this natural oasis. The new settlement took its name from the nearby Nahal David Gorge (David’s Creek).
For more than half a century of activity of the commune, the oasis of Ein Gedi has turned into a unique nature reserve, attracting many tourists from all over the world. It is also of considerable importance for the Israeli economy – Kibbutz Nahal David is a supplier of dates, natural mineral water from local sources, cosmetics using Dead Sea minerals, floriculture and poultry products.
Thanks to the initiative of the kibbutz members, about 1,000 species of subtropical and tropical plants, including rare species, were collected worldwide and planted on the territory of Ein Gedi. In 1973, the territory of Ein Gedi received the status of a national park, was declared a protected area and taken under state protection. Ein Gedi National Park is the second largest oasis in Israel.
Paradise blooming island in the middle of the desert, like a magnet, attracts tourists. In the park you can make fascinating hiking trips along marked routes of various levels of complexity, get acquainted with the magnificent exotic flora, picturesque large and small waterfalls. On difficult routes, tourists have to climb uphill, but they have the opportunity to enjoy the seascapes from a bird’s-eye view.
Animal lovers will be happy to interact with the friendly representatives of the local fauna – Cape dams. These cute furry animals are absolutely not shy and willingly make contact with visitors, causing children to be very happy. Mountain goats are found in the park, as well as predators that are kept in aviaries-wolves, hyenas, leopards, foxes.
The largest waterfall in Ein Gedi is named after David, king of Israel, who at a young age hid in these places from his enemies. Falling from a height of 36 m, the stream ranks third among the largest waterfalls in Israel.
After enjoying the lush vegetation, bubbling streams and waterfalls, travelers can take a dip in the waters of the Dead Sea located near Ein Gedi by visiting the free beach. Swimming here has its own amazing features-the salt-rich water pushes the bather to the surface, it is impossible even to plunge your feet into the water, but you can only lie down, swaying on the waves.
Sea water here is very caustic, so it is not recommended to allow it to get into the eyes, and take sea baths for more than a quarter of an hour. After swimming, you need to wash with fresh water under the available beach shower.
Everyone can take treatments at the spa wellness complex. They consist of covering the body with natural healing mud, followed by bathing in the water of a hot spring. You can take a hydrogen sulfide bath, the specific smell of which is compensated by its pronounced therapeutic effect. In the spa complex, you can buy skin and hair care products with valuable sea salts, which are highly valued in Israel and around the world.
Practical information
The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is open to the public daily.
Opening hours:
- Sunday-Thursday-8-16;
- Friday-8-15;
- Saturday – 9-16.
Ticket price:
- For adults – NIS 28,
- for children – NIS 14,
You can find out more about prices for visits on the official website of Ein Gedi National Park: www.parks.org.il/en/reserve-park/en-gedi-nature-reserve/.
Hotels closest to Ein Gedi National Park:
- Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel is located close to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. An outdoor swimming pool, parking, and Wi-Fi are provided free of charge. Breakfast is included, there is a restaurant, spa center. The price of a double room in season starts from $275 / day.
- Ein Gedi Camp Lodge, a hostel located directly on Kibbutz Ein Gedi 0.3 km from the main entrance to the National Park. Pet – friendly accommodation, free parking, a sun terrace and Wi-Fi are provided. A single bed in a shared room starts at $33/night.
- HI-Ein Gedi Hostel is a family-friendly hostel located next to the entrance to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Private rooms with breakfast included, free Wi-Fi and parking are provided. Seasonal rates start at $120 / day for a double room.
Useful tips
- When visiting the beach near Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, don’t forget to bring a towel and slates. On the shore there are many corals that can hurt your bare feet, and you can not buy beach shoes and a towel cheap on the spot.
- It is best to come to the national park for the opening, while it is not too hot and there is no large influx of tourists. Moreover, the park closes early enough, and there may not be enough time to explore all its beauties.
- When entering the territory of the park, make sure that you have drinking water. If you forgot to take it with you, then buy drinks in the shop at the entrance to the park – there will be no place to buy them on the territory of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.
- When choosing the route of a walk in the park, take into account your capabilities. Some of the routes require serious physical training, rock climbing skills and special sports shoes.
- There are regular buses to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Be careful and get off the bus only after making sure that you have arrived at the desired destination. The distance between stops here is considerable, if you make a mistake, you will have to go to the destination for a long time under the hot desert.
- You can take photos in the national park as much as you want, but feeding animals is prohibited.
Interesting facts
- National Geographic magazine has included Ein Gedi National Park in the top 10 must-see places on our planet.
- Due to the high density of water in the Dead Sea, it is impossible to dive into it, but you can drown. In terms of the number of accidents on the water, this is the second sea in Israel. The causes of accidents are related to the difficulties of movement in saturated salt solution, as well as the risk of poisoning if swallowing large amounts of seawater.
- While sunbathing on the beach near the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, it is impossible to get burned, as salt vapors create a filter in the air from ultraviolet rays.
- Cape dams resemble rodents in appearance, but they do not belong to this order of mammals. By phylogenetic characteristics, they are closer to proboscids, in particular, to elephants.
When going to Israel, be sure to include the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve in your tourist program. Being close by and not visiting this unique park will be a mistake.
