Egypt

Wadi Hitan National Park, Egypt

About Wadi Hitan National Park

In the Al Fayoum region of Egypt, you'll find Wadi Hitan National Park, which is acclaimed all over the world for being a Whale Valley. The site's well-preserved fossils illustrate the interesting transition of whales from terrestrial to aquatic creatures. As a heavily protected zone inside the Wadi El-Rayan Protected Area, it gives you an unusual glimpse into the past with full whale skeletons, including those of the extinct Basilosaurus isis.

There are numbered signs along the 2 km hiking path that lead you to fossil sites with fossilised plants, shells, and even a fossilised watermelon. On your Egypt trip, you can look around and spot the remnants of a preserved mangrove ecosystem that suggests the area was once underwater. As you go deeper into the valley, you can find whale fossils. Along the way, the scenery gets more beautiful, with eroded hills that look like giant mushrooms.

Day Wise Timings

Burj Khalifa opening hours through the week.

Open 7 days a week

Paid entry

Monday07:00 – 17:00

Tuesday07:00 – 17:00

Wednesday07:00 – 17:00

Thursday07:00 – 17:00

Friday07:00 – 17:00

Saturday07:00 – 17:00

Sunday07:00 – 17:00

Hours are seasonal — confirm your date at checkout. Special events may extend closing time.

Wadi Hitan National Park Highlights

• Explore the fossilised remains of extinct whales at Wadi Hitan National Park and see them changed from land animals to sea creatures.
• Visit the Wadi Hitan Fossil and Climate Change Museum to see the largest intact Basilosaurus isis whale fossil and a rare fossil collection.
• Explore a walking track that leads past complete skeletons of Dorudon as well as invertebrate fossils.
• Take an exciting 4WD ride across a sand-blown road, combined with off-road experiences from time to time.
• Marvel at the uniqueness of oddly weathered hills that resemble enormous mushrooms down the valley.

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Point of Interest for Wadi Hitan National Park

Tour the Wadi El Hitan Fossil & Climate Change Museum

Embark on a fascinating journey through time at the Wadi El Hitan Fossil & Climate Change Museum. The building's unusual construction, half-buried under the ground, merges perfectly with the surroundings, adding mystery and excitement. As you go deeper into the ground, you'll find fossils of whales that were there millions of years ago but are now hidden. Here, you can view the largest Basilosaurus fossilised skeleton and climate change exhibits from Earth's beginnings to today. This interactive museum experience also teaches you about how wonderfully our planet evolved.

Explore the Wadi El Rayan Reserve

Visit Wadi El Rayan Reserve to see a diverse array of animals in their natural habitat, which includes dunes and waterfalls. Observe the man-made lakes that are full of fish, frogs, and rare bird species, such as the Egyptian vulture and the white-eyed gull. Discover the beauty and essential freshwater supplies found in naturally occurring waterfalls that have been built over millions of years. See the wide range of plants and animals, such as sand foxes, many bird types, white and Egyptian gazelles, and more.

Soak in the beauty of Wadi el Rayan waterfalls

Discover the magnificence of Egypt's largest waterfalls, Wadi el Rayan Falls! In the middle of the desert, these waterfalls appear out of nowhere, making for an amazing sight. You can see unique bird species breeding near the peaceful lakes as you stroll around the oasis. A network of pipes and tunnels brings water to these lakes, which were built in the late 20th century. However, if you wait too long, the waterfalls can disappear when the lakes level out, thus you must visit them as early as possible.

Ascend the mountain of Jebel al-Mudawara

Welcome to the magical Magic Lake in Egypt, which is tucked away among the alluring Wadi El Hitan dunes. Get ready for one of the most beautiful sunsets you'll ever see as the sun goes down on the horizon. Representing the wonders of nature, this gorgeous lake is renowned for its constantly shifting colours. It's a fantastic location for adventurers to visit because of the stunning desert landscape. You may experience true magic here whether you choose to hike, sandboard or bathe in the mineral-rich waters.

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