The Sinai Peninsula connects the continents of Asia and Africa and is surrounded by the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Israeli Negev desert. The Sinai has silently witnessed the march of conquerors for centuries such as Alexander the Great, Napoleon’s French army, the British under Allenby and Israeli/Egyptian skirmishes. An area of great religious significance, the Sinai is said to be the desert where Moses and the Israelites wandered for decades before entering the promised land.
Negev desert. The Sinai has silently witnessed the march of conquerors for centuries such as Alexander the Great, Napoleon’s French army, the British under Allenby and Israeli/Egyptian skirmishes. An area of great religious significance, the Sinai is said to be the desert where Moses and the Israelites wandered for decades before entering the promised land.
Mountainous Regions in the Sinai Desert
The highest peak of this mountain range has an altitude of 2,644 metres. This is where Moses is said to have climbed up to receive the ten commandments. In this area, St. Katherine’s monastery holds a treasure of ancient manuscripts and icons, reputed to be second only to the Vatican itself.
A 6th century church nearby claims to lie directly on the site of the burning bush, where God appeared to Moses. There are several excursions into the desert which have their starting point at St. Katherine’s, mostly organised by local Bedouin tribesmen.
Sinai Hotels and Beach Resorts
Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab are about the most popular beach resorts in the entire Sinai peninsula. What is the attraction? South Sinai is where Sharm el Sheikh is found, on the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula, is reputed to have the most beautiful and famous Red sea dive sites in the world. Sharm el Sheikh is also famous for its sulphur springs, to which people flock in the hopes of getting cured from rheumatism and skin diseases.
Sinai hotels in Sharm el Sheikh range from 5 star to budget. The area is geared for tourism and offers all the amenities Westeners expect from a large tourist center, including casinos, nightclubs, golf courses and health spas. Sharm el Sheikh is divided into three main regions:
Na’ama Bay which contains a plethora of restaurants, bars, cafes and a vibrant nightlife, Ras Um Sid Cliff which is famous for its coral reefs and high cliffs, Sharm el Maya which is where the old town of Sharm el Sheikh was situated and which has a lovely natural harbour and beautiful sandy beaches.
Sinai National Parks
Sharm el Sheikh is surrounded by three National Parks and protected areas:
The Ras Mohammed National Park with its extraordinary natural beauty and coral reefs. Fortunately, the area is now protected and boats are forbidden to anchor on reef areas. Divers are prohibited from standing or walking on the coral reefs.
St. Katherine National Park which a protected area in the Sinai’s mountain region, containing unique fauna and flora (approximately 1000 types of desert plant species are found here).
Nabq Bay protected area, containing some of Egypt’s most spectacular natural mangroves, sand dunes, wild animal life and coral reefs.
All in all, visitors are seldom disappointed visiting the Sinai peninsula and a trip here should definitely be factored in when planning a trip to Egypt.
Ever wondered how easy Egyptian travel is when going with children? The article Travel to Egypt with Kids gives some great tips for family holidays to Egypt. For those who don’t like roughing it, take a look at the article Where to Find the Best Luxury Hotels in Egypt for information on the latest boutique hotels and desert lodges.Red Sea Scuba Diving Holidays offers information on liveaboard diving vacations.
