The first image that usually springs into peoples' minds when they think of Ras Mohamed, is that of deep blue waters and exquisite marine life in unique abundance. There is, however, a lot to see on land in Ras Mohamed, as well as in the water. Just like all the area surrounding it, Ras Mohamed is predominantly desert. At first sight, the land would appear barren and devoid of life. Or this is what you might be led to think. In fact, the park lands are bustling with life and is home to all kinds of mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. This is why the protected area includes land areas, as well as the offshore marine reserve. If you would like to get acquainted with the inhabitants of Ras Mohamed then you should take a look at the following wildlife section.

The desert area of Ras Mohamed is comprised of high rising mountains ranging in color from puce to blood red which meet the waterline and drops to form the magnificent reef walls. There are also many low rising cliffs just as dazzling in their array of colors. Separating the mountains,low rising hills, and cliffs are the narrow sandy valleys, the wadis, which are a result of ancient rivers that had carved their way through the rock. The area also has some flat sandy lands with some sparse vegetation. If you would like to find out about the different vegetation at Ras Mohamed, including the mangrove forest, the you should take a look at the flora section.

How then do you discover this fabulous world of the Ras Mohamed desert ? Unless you obtain prior permission from the Park Authority, leaving the pre-defined tracks is not allowed, whether by car, SUV's, or quads. The permission is not very difficult to obtain but this should not be abused. The main reason this exists is to facilitate matters for the scientific missions conducting research in the area. There is of course the more traditional and environment-friendly way, which is for many, much more rewarding. The ship of the desert: the camel. This also has to be arranged in advance in coordination with the park rangers.

The desert in the South of Sinai, in general, is both extremely captivating and blissfully serene. A day trip on the many available quads at Sharm-el-Sheikh is unparalleled for many of us. Alternatively you can resort to the ship of the desert once more to discover the land of turquoise and copper and the ancient trade routes which criss-cross the area. There are many such expeditions organized from Sharm, Dahab, or Nuweiba. Some of these would include a night in a Bedouin encampment with belly-dancers, and the famous star-lit Sinai desert night. If you are interested in discovering the deep desert terrain, then you should consider one of the 4X4 expeditions. These usually use the latest SUV's and Hummers and can make your long trek into the desert much more comfortable. You can also visit the many tiny oasis that dot this part of Sinai. These include Ein Khudra or Ein Furtaga, for instance.

Finally a word of advice and a word of warning for you :
The advice is the Colored Canyon. It is a two hour car trip from Nuweiba and a definite must. The limestone walls, the air and, the water have created wonders here, so do not go without a camera. As for the warning, it is never, ever to venture into the desert without an experienced guide. As awesome, enchanting and beautiful as the deserts here are, they can be very harsh and extremely unpredictable as well. You should also make sure at all times that the vehicle you are using is in perfect running condition and that you are well stocked in water supply. Now, if you want to learn more about these desert safaris and expeditions and who arranges them, etc, then all you have to do is check out the Desert Safaris section!

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