10 things to know about Gilf Kebir natural reserve

CAIRO-8 September 2017: Gilf Kibir is a huge plateau in the southwest corner of Egypt at its borders with Libya and Sudan. In the recent years it became more famous as a touristic site. Here are 10 things you have to know about it:

1- Gilf Kibir means Great Barrier.

2- It is rich in silica glass fields.

3- Gilf Kibir has vast sand valleys, sand dunes and caves that date back to prehistoric era.

4- The most famous of these caves is the Cave of the Swimmers in Wadi Sora.

5- Wadi Sora is rich in rock art sites, the most famous of which is the 'Giraffe rock.'

6- In 2007, the former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif issued a decree to launch Gilf Kibir National Park (GKNP).

7- The rocks and geological formations in the GKNP are concrete evidence of an ancient history that dates back to hundreds of millions of years ago. Researchers believe that this area tells about the history, not only of the region, but of the planet itself.

8- Discoveries revealed many valleys rich in plant life that tribesmen used for grazing.

9- A typical visit of the Gilf Kibir takes off from Cairo by 4x4 or camel.

10- In 2007 an Egyptian tour guide discovered in Gilf Kibir, a bag belonging to a World War II British combatantwho served in the eighth army after lying there for over half a century.