The first "open Zoo Park" in Egypt… located near the sea

 

The Idea 

The idea is to establish the first open Zoo Park in Egypt inside Gebel Elba Nature Reserve, close to some of Egypt’s most famous coastal cities such as Marsa Alam.

How the Idea Was Created

The idea emerged from the fact that Gebel Elba Nature Reserve possesses exceptional natural assets that qualify it for hosting an open Zoo Park, in addition to its proximity to the Red Sea coast and well-known coastal destinations like Marsa Alam. 

Moreover, this type of project has not yet been implemented in Egypt.

Purpose and Importance of the imaginative News

The idea aims to draw the attention of investors interested in eco-tourism to this type of promising investment opportunity.

About imaginative News

Imaginative news refers to anything imagined, including ideas, expressed through a journalistic news-style story.Read more about imaginative news.

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This story is imaginative ( not real ) and used to express ideas 

Story image is produced by AI

Opening of the First Open Zoo Park in Egypt Inside Gebel Elba Nature Reserve, South of the Red Sea

In the last quarter of 2026, the Egyptian Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced the opening of the first open Zoo Park in Egypt inside Gebel Elba Nature Reserve, under the name Elba Zoo Park, located in the far southeast of Egypt on the Sudanese border—an unprecedented step in the Middle East.

Elba Zoo Park

Elba Zoo Park is not a traditional zoo, but rather an open ecological system designed to simulate the wild without cages. 

Animals move freely within vast natural zones, while safe pathways for visitors ensure a realistic wildlife viewing experience without disrupting the ecological balance.

The project relies on the latest sustainable eco-tourism technologies, with smart wildlife monitoring systems that minimize direct human interference.

Animal and Plant Species in the Zoo Park

The Zoo Park includes a wide range of rare animals, birds, and plants, as follows:

Animals

• Mountain gazelles

• Nubian ibex

• Striped hyena

• Sand cat

• African wildcat

• Mountain hare

• Desert foxes

• Rare bird species threatened with extinction

• A limited number of predators under strict environmental supervision

Plants

• Acacia trees

• Rare medicinal plants

• Unique desert grasses found only in Gebel Elba

• Seasonal plants linked to the region’s rare rainfall

Tourist Activities Inside the Zoo Park

Visitors to the Zoo Park can enjoy a variety of activities, including:

• Eco-safari tours using electric vehicles

• Walking trails and birdwatching routes

• Wildlife photography

• Educational tours with environmental guides

• Interactive experiences for children focused on nature conservation

• Meditation sessions and licensed overnight camping

How Does a Tourist Spend a Full Day There?

The tourist program for Zoo Park visitors includes:

• Morning: Safari tour and wildlife observation

• Midday: Rest at natural camps and organic meals

• Afternoon: Walking trails and nature photography

• Evening: Sunset viewing followed by stargazing sessions and optional camping

Gebel Elba Nature Reserve – A Forgotten Natural Treasure

Gebel Elba Nature Reserve is distinguished by its unique location in the far southeast of Egypt near the Red Sea coast, making it a rare meeting point of desert, mountain, and coastal environments.

The reserve hosts a large number of rare wild animals such as the Nubian ibex, gazelles, and hyenas, in addition to distinctive species of resident and migratory birds, giving it special importance for birdwatching enthusiasts.

It also contains natural valleys where water accumulates seasonally, supporting both plant and animal life. 

The reserve is considered an important model of balanced coexistence between humans and nature, as local tribes practice sustainable traditional activities such as grazing and collecting medicinal plants without harming the ecosystem.

Gebel Elba Nature Reserve is located near several key areas, most notably Marsa Alam, the closest major tourist destination, as well as Shalateen and Halayeb, along with the southern Red Sea coastline.

Target Tourist Groups

The project primarily targets foreign tourists arriving from Marsa Alam and El Quseir, as well as organized trips from Hurghada, in addition to adventure and eco-tourism enthusiasts from European countries.

About the Zoo Park Developer Company

The project is developed by Echo Sphere Singapore, a leading Singaporean company in smart eco-tourism, with global experience in managing open reserves in Asia and Africa. The company operates in partnership with Egyptian environmental authorities.

Future Plans: Eco-Friendly Resorts and Hotels

The company announced plans to establish low-impact eco-resorts, solar-powered hotels, and luxury eco-lodges, all to be developed at safe distances from the reserve while fully preserving its natural environment.

Elba Zoo Park… A Promising Investment

With the opening of an open Zoo Park inside Gebel Elba Nature Reserve, Egypt enters a new phase of smart, sustainable tourism, where nature conservation blends with global investment—transforming one of its most remote regions into a world-class destination for wildlife and adventure enthusiasts.