Yotvata Hai Bar Wildlife Reserve
The purpose of this 3,200-hectare (7,907-acre) reserve is to save rare and endangered desert animals mentioned in the Bible, as well as other rare desert animals of western Asia and northern Africa, breeding them for eventual release into the wild. Among the 450 kinds of animals found here are the Nubian ibex, the Dorcas gazelle, the Persian onager, the scimitar-horned oryx, the addax antelope, and the Arabian gazelle, as well as wolves, hyenas, foxes, desert cats, caracal, leopards, cheetahs, wild donkeys, lots of ostriches, and many species of snakes, lizards, and even predatory birds. Many of these animals are nocturnal, due to the blistering desert heat, but a special dark room makes it possible to observe these creatures during your daylight visit. You can also ride around the reserve in special coaches (closed vehicles only) and observe the animals at close range. An interesting time to visit is 11am to 1pm, when the animals are getting their lunchtime feedings, though some children may be upset by the predators' eating habits.
You'll notice that the Hai Bar reserve has many acacia trees, signifying that water is lying below the arid desert. This area is known as the Yotvata Oasis, and it is believed that it was one of the places where Moses stopped as he brought the Children of Israel up out of Egypt.
Note: If you have no car, you can take a guided tour from Eilat, which takes about 2 hours.
The purpose of this 3,200-hectare (7,907-acre) reserve is to save rare and endangered desert animals mentioned in the Bible, as well as other rare desert animals of western Asia and northern Africa, breeding them for eventual release into the wild. Among the 450 kinds of animals found here are the Nubian ibex, the Dorcas gazelle, the Persian onager, the scimitar-horned oryx, the addax antelope, and the Arabian gazelle, as well as wolves, hyenas, foxes, desert cats, caracal, leopards, cheetahs, wild donkeys, lots of ostriches, and many species of snakes, lizards, and even predatory birds. Many of these animals are nocturnal, due to the blistering desert heat, but a special dark room makes it possible to observe these creatures during your daylight visit. You can also ride around the reserve in special coaches (closed vehicles only) and observe the animals at close range. An interesting time to visit is 11am to 1pm, when the animals are getting their lunchtime feedings, though some children may be upset by the predators' eating habits.
You'll notice that the Hai Bar reserve has many acacia trees, signifying that water is lying below the arid desert. This area is known as the Yotvata Oasis, and it is believed that it was one of the places where Moses stopped as he brought the Children of Israel up out of Egypt.
Note: If you have no car, you can take a guided tour from Eilat, which takes about 2 hours.
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