Birds & Wildlife

Few sights are as magical as the graceful flight of a flock of birds wheeling through the sky, while for sheer speed and power there is no match for a raptor swooping from a dizzy height to seize its prey.

Israel is home to tens of species of birds and hosts millions more every year as they migrate to warmer climes. Eagles, kestrils, falcons, sparrows, buzzards, plovers, gulls, vultures and storks all grace Israel’s skies as they pass through the bottleneck connecting Europe & Asia with Africa. To the East are the vast inhospitable deserts of the Middle East and to the West – the Mediterranean Sea. Thus the birds make their bi-annual voyage through Israel where they can find relatively plentiful supplies of food & water. Bird enthusiasts flock to the country from all over the globe as, the opportunity to experience the sheer volume & variety of avian life is unrivalled anywhere else in the world.

In addition there are rare and endangered species of birds which spend the winter in Israel and if you are in luck, you may manage to identify and photograph them. We offer specialized tours in conjunction with the Israel Birding Society for enthusiasts and novices. While spring and fall are the best times for bird-watching, Israel has what to offer in the summer and winter, too.

Casual observers, too, are invited to join in the thrill and excitement of bird-watching from the Golan Heights and Hula Valley in the North to Kibbutz Lotan & Eilat in the South.

Though lions no longer roar in the Judean Hills there is an abundance of wildlife in Israel to capture your imagination.

The following are some of the attractions that are sure to catch your fancy…

• Coral Reefs (Gulf of Eilat) - Discover the fascinating world just below the surface of the Red Sea. Eilat attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year who wade into the crystal-clear, warm waters entering into a whole new world of dazzling colors, shapes and graceful movement. The reefs are home to a myriad of brightly colored fish which dart in and out of the stunning coral in search of food, prey and protection from foes. You can scuba dive, rent a mask & snorkel or simply visit the specially constructed oceanarium for an unforgettable experience. In addition, the Dolphin Reef situated nearby offers the opportunity to observe and interact with these gentle mammals from up-close. For a small fee you can swim or scuba dive with the dolphins, too.
• Desert Animals - Admire the skill and tenacity of the ibex as they glide up the rock face in Ein Gedi, photograph the cute, chubby rock rabbit (hyrax) or try to catch a glimpse of the elusive desert fox. Both the Negev Desert & the Judean Desert are home to a variety of compelling species which are well-adapted to survive in this harsh, inhospitable environment. The ibex is Israel’s nature conservation, success story having been saved from certain extinction and re-introduced into the wild, but even the trusty camel is a hit with city-slickers and no trip to Israel is complete without mounting the great beasts of burden.
• Children’s Delight – Israel is home to a number of zoos & parks with magnificent specimens from all over the globe. Get acquainted with wallabies and kangaroos at Gan Garoo near Bet Shean, swing from the trees with the “residents” of Monkey Land near Moddi’in or visit the Safari in Ramat Gan for a taste of Africa. Spend a morning at the gorgeous Tisch Family Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem to discover the animals from the Bible up-close and see first-hand the menagerie that accompanied Noah on the Ark.

Contact us today for more information or to create your exclusive Israel trip.

For more details on the experiences ISRAELMAVEN offers you please see the section on Explore Israel, check out our Sample Itineiraries or Create Your Own Itinerary.