Elba, Mountain summit in southeastern Egypt.
Gabal Elba is a mountain in southeastern Egypt near the Red Sea coast, forming part of a larger mountain range that runs parallel to the shore. The terrain features steep slopes, rocky ridges, and varied rock formations spread across a vast landscape.
The area became a national park in 1985 to protect one of North Africa's oldest continuously inhabited regions with a variety of ecosystems. This protected status safeguards landscapes that have been shaped by local communities over millennia.
Bedouin families living in the foothills have long relied on Moringa trees for cooking oil and healing remedies passed through generations. You can still see how these communities gather and prepare the plants as part of their daily routines.
Access requires advance permits and an official escort due to the location near the Sudanese border, so arrangements must be made beforehand. The cooler months offer the best conditions for travel, as the terrain can be extremely hot and demanding.
The mountain works as a moisture collector, trapping humid winds from the Red Sea and supporting a surprising variety of plant life. This natural barrier against dry conditions allows hundreds of plant species to thrive in what would otherwise be bare desert.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
