Tunisia is one of the Mediterranean countries most known for its beautiful beaches and endless summers. The country has a long coastline extending from the north to the east, which represents the main attraction for Tunisians when searching for a little escape from city life.
The country however, overflows with secret locations and stunning nature; the richness and diversity of the environment is due to its geographical position, located in the north of Africa with its south extending to the Sahara desert.
Tunisia’s National Parks & Nature Reserves
Tunisia holds more than 17 national parks and nature reserves, many of them remain unknown to the general public. Here, we are listing them with some relevant information and photos.
Ichkeul National Park
Probably the most well known national park of Tunisia, Ichkeul National Park has been included in UNESCO’s list of world heritages. A few kilometers south of Bizerte, the park is located in the north of the country and is the home of Lake Ichkeul as well as Jebel Ichkeul.
The park has a very diverse fauna and flora as it shelters a wide variety of migrating birds.
El Feija National Park
Located close to the Algerian border in the governorate of Jendouba, a large area of El Feija National Park is covered by trees.
The park consists mainly of hills and cliffs and the altitude varies from 550 to 1500m. It hosts a significant number of birds and different species of animals like the African Golden Wolf.
Boukornine National Park
Located only 15km from the capital Tunis, Boukornine National Park hosts the famous Jebel Boukornine and its double peaks.
The park is home to more than 20 species of animals and it is one of the most accessible places for a hike especially from the of town Hammam-Lif.
Chaambi National Park
Located in Kasserine Governorate in the center of Tunisia, this park takes its name from the tallest mountain in the country Mount Chaambi that rises to an elevation 1544 meters above sea-level.
Although no permanent body of water flows through Chaambi National Park, it is home to many endangered species. It received the status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1980.
NOTE: Chaambi National Park is a closed military area. No access allowed.
Bou-Hedma National Park
This park is located in the southern region of Tunisia and is one of the largest parks in Tunisia. It is spread through both the Gafsa Governorate and Sidi Bouzid Governorate, covering an area of 16 400ha with many plants and animals.
Some of the park’s wildlife includes dorcas gazelles, acacia totillis, ostrich, addax antelope and Barbary sheep.
Jebel Chitana-Cap Negro National Park
Jebel Chitana-Cap Negro national Park is a national park in Tunisia located on the north coast of Tunisia, between the Cap Serrat and the Sidi el Barrak Dam. It consists of the forest chain of Jebel Chitana, within forest district of Bizerte, and that of Bellif, dependent on the forest district of Béja.
Oued Zen National Park
Oued Zen National Park is one of Tunisia’s National Parks. It is located in the delegation of Ain Draham, about 200 kilometers west of the capital Tunis and about fifty kilometers west of Jendouba.
The park is part of the Kroumirie which is the wettest region in Tunisia. It covers a total area of 6,700 hectares, consisting mainly of Zean oak forests.
Jebel Zaghdoud National Park
Jebel Zaghdoud National Park is one of Tunisia’s National Parks. It is located in the Oueslatia delegation of the Kairouan governorate. It covers an area of 1792 ha.
Jebel Zaghdoud National Park is home to a great diversity of animal species: hyena, wild boar, jackal, fox, porcupine, genet, mongoose, hare, wildcat, hedgehog, chameleon, lizard, land turtle, Montpellier snake, golden eagle, Bonelli’s eagle, kestrel, peregrine falcon, buzzard, Circaete Jean-le-Blanc, little owl, barn owl, partridge, quail, dove, goldfinch, crow, skylark, mallard, northern shoveler, coot, teal, summer teal, thrush , bats (the big horseshoe), etc.
Jebel Serj National Park
The Jebel Serj National Park is one of Tunisia’s national parks. It is located between South Siliana and the delegation of the Oueslatia in the Kairouan Governorate.
This park of 6.64 sq mi was established on 29 March 2010 and it is managed by the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture.
Dghoumes National Park
Dghoumès National Park is located in the governorate of Tozeur covering an area of 80 km2. It was established on March 29, 2001.
Dghoumes National Park offers a diverse fauna: the desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus), the golden jackal (Canis aureus), the wild cat (Felis silvestris), the sand cat (Felis margarita), the partridge, the eagle king (Aquila chrysaetos), Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes), scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), Cuvier’s gazelle (Gazella cuvieri), Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), and several other species of reptiles.
Sidi Toui National Park
Sidi Toui National Park is one of Tunisia’s national parks. It is located in the Governorate of Medenine, in the South of the country. It was established in 1993 consisting of grassland. Scimitar Oryx have been introduced into the park.
Orbata National Park
Jbel Orbata National Park is located east of the town of Gafsa between El Ksar and Sened. It is located in the delegations of Ksar and El Guettar. Its total area is 5,746 ha.
The main goal of the establishment of this National Park is the preservation and the rehabilitation of part of the mountain ecosystem of the Tunisian Atlas range, in particular, the rare and endangered plant and animal species such as the Aleppo pine in the Southern of the country, red juniper, cuffed sheep, mountain gazelle and ostrich.
Zaghouan National Park
Jebel Zaghouan National Park is a national park in Tunisia located north of Jebel Zaghouan, in the Zaghouan governorate, covering an area of about 20.4 km2.
Holm oak, Aleppo pine and carob are the main species of the local flora, while the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, Egyptian vulture, wild boar, jackal, mongoose, hare, lizard and the snake are the main species of fauna.
This natural park is also part of a historical conservation perspective with the presence of the Temple of the Waters dating from Roman times. It is the place of collection of mountain sources, starting point of the Zaghouan aqueduct which supplied water to Carthage in the 2nd century.
Tunisia’s National Park of Jbil
Jebil National Park is the largest National Park in Tunisia as it encompasses 150,000 hectares of the Sahara Desert and spans across most of the southern part of the country. The park features desert vegetation and an important number of animals like the gazelle, the fennec fox and different species of snakes.
The park is also known for its geographical landmarks like the giant boulder located in its western section.
Jebel Mghilla National Park
Jebel Mghilla National Park is a one of Tunisia’s National Parks. It is part of the Kasserine and Sidi Bouzid governorates, covering a total area of 16,249 ha.
Mghilla National Park is home to a diverse fauna: the striped hyena, wild boar, jackal, red fox, porcupine, genet, mongoose, hare, hedgehog, land turtle, Montpellier snake , partridge, quail, turtledove, rock pigeon, nightingale, goldfinch, greenfinch, raven, little owl, eagle owl, golden eagle, Bonelli’s eagle, kestrel , the ferocious buzzard, etc.
Zembra and Zembretta National Park
The rocky Mediterranean islands of Zembra and Zembretta located in the Golf of Tunis are separated by a distance of roughly 8 km from each other. The national park has stunning landscapes and hosts a diverse fauna and flora.
Around 140,000 pairs of migratory birds nest on the cliffs of the two islands. It is a great spot for camping as it hosts ancient Roman and Phoenician settlements.
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1 comment
Thank you for your article. I’m fascinated about the history of Tunisia and I had no idea there is so much natural diversity in Tunisia! Thank you.