Gebel Elba will soon turn green, Gabana coffee awaits visitors

CAIRO - 22 September 2017: The Gebel Elba National Park is preparing itself for the annual natural transformation, as the mountains are awaiting the winter to turn green. The national park, which spans a total of 35,600 square kilometers, comprises rare animals and birds, besides being a model of Bedouin life.

Discovering the Gebel Elba Protectorate, one gets overwhelmed with scenes of natural life, including sea creatures, rare birds and mangroves. The protectorate also serves as a stopover for birds migrating from Africa to Europe.


Gabana pot - Yadaweya Facebook page

Descending from Beja people who live along the Red Sea in southern Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea, the Basharia tribes inhabiting the area of Gebel Elba are part of what makes Gebel Elba unique.

The traditional “Gabana” coffee is a must-try in Gebel Elba. Gabana is made by roasting coffee beans over a wood fire, which Bedouins name “Rakia,” adding herbs including ginger and cardamom, then boiling it in a clay or metal pot, and adding sugar in the end.

Gebel Elba protectorate refers to a series of mountains found in the south east corner of Halayeb and Shalateen.


Gabana-making tools - Yadaweya Facebook page