Hai-Bar Nature Reserve
Located about 35 km north of Eilat in the southern Arava, the Hai-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve is a wildlife Reserve that has restored wildlife that became extinct in Israel and reinforced endangered species. You drive through the park (on dirt roads suitable for all vehicles) and remain in your vehicle to observe Asian wild ass, African wild ass, Arabian oryx, gazelles, addax (white antelope), ostrich, and raptors in cages. There is also a short movie.
The reserve covers about 3,000 acres (roughly 12 square kilometers) of desert landscape. Plan on at least 1 to 2 hours to explore and watch the wildlife. At the entrance to the reserve is a small gift shop for souvenirs and refreshments and a picnic area. There is an adjoining camping area with basic facilities — picnic tables, bathrooms with hot water showers, barbecue and field kitchen areas — for individuals and groups with prior coordination. This also provides more shade for picnicking.
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​Directions: Enter “Hai Bar” into Waze and click on “Hai-Bar Biblical Wildlife Preserve and Safari.” (Note that there is also a Hai-Bar Nature Reserve in Haifa, which is in the opposite direction)
Admission:: This is a park of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. It is open Sunday to Thursday and Saturday 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and Friday and holiday eves 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. They close one hour earlier in the winter. Admission is 31 nis for adults, 18 nis for children, 26 nis for students, and 16 nis for seniors. Their phone number is 08-6373057. This is their website:
Public transport: Enter “Hai Bar” into Moovit and click on “Hai-Bar Biblical Wildlife Preserve and Safari.” The closest bus stop is a 2-km/24-minute walk from the reserve. (Note that there is also a Hai-Bar Nature Reserve in Haifa, which is in the opposite direction)
