Wadi El Rayan (Egypt)

For bird watchers, Wadi El Rayan is a unique place. Large colonies of both endemic and migratory birds have become established in this little valley, making Wadi El Rayan a major nesting site.

The fact there are such huge numbers of birds here is mainly down to the presence of the two artificial lakes, which were created southwest of the Birket Qarun lake in the 1960s by the Egyptian authorities in order to collect and store surplus agricultural irrigation water. The two lakes are linked by small waterfalls.

I enjoyed admiring the high waterfalls and dense vegetation of the upper lake here, and swimming in the lakes in the middle of such a beautiful natural landscape. With its cool, refreshing waterfalls, Wadi El Rayan is also a good place for a family picnic. To get here, you will need a motorised vehicle – preferably a 4x4 – due to the condition of the rather stony road once you get past the Faiyum Oasis. In fact travelling by taxi is an option.