On the Mediterranean coast of North Sinai is Zaranik, one of Egypt’s most scenic Protected Areas covering the lagoon at the eastern end of Lake Bardawil and the beaches to the east. The park’s interior is a mass of undulating sand dunes interspersed with salt marshes and palm groves. A birdwatcher’s paradise where an exceptional variety of birds can be observed. Every autumn hundreds of thousands of migrating waterbirds congregate at Zaranik. Many birds, such as Greater Flamingo over winter, while large numbers of terns and waders breed during the summer months.
Zaranik is not only important as a wetland, but its terrestrial habitats harbour several globally threatened species. A small population of the endangered Egyptian Tortoise lives in the deserts, while the beaches are a major nesting site for marine turtles. As one of the most pristine habitats along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast, Zaranik has great potential for ecotourism. Due to the absence of pollution, the lake produces some of the highest quality fish and salt in the country.