This country is filled with adventures. Small in size it may be but the biodiversity in this North African country is high. It has great beaches as well as imposing green mountains. The Republic of Tunisia has a land area of 163,610 square kilometers (40.4 million acres). Its coastline extends 1,148 kilometers. This means that the country hosts so many beaches, and most of them cater to adventurous souls with parachuting, jet-skiing activities, and more. The wealth under most of the Tunisian seas is also a haven for many scuba divers.
There are also so many historical sites in this country that saw different conquerors—both politically and in terms of religion. The many different civilizations, which inhabited this Arabic country are also responsible for shaping its rich culture. The nation is home to over 11.4 million people.
Tunisia is also one of the territories where tourists can experience the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world. They can enjoy camel and donkey rides, as well as various activities in the sand. The small nation packs a strong punch with so many natural beauties to see and experience. Here are the top five unexplored national parks in Tunisia:
1. Boukornine National Park
In general, tourists aren’t inclined to visit national parks in Tunisia because most tourists spend their time visiting the beaches, the Sahara and various historical ruins. But those looking for adventure amidst nature should drop by the parks like this one, in the country’s northern part. The area was established on Feb. 12, 1987, and spans 4,790 acres.
The park is named after the 576-meter mountain range Jebel Boukornine, which is also its centerpiece. It overlooks the large Mediterranean bay known as Gulf of Tunis, and Hammam-Lif, a vibrant town in Tunis. The Jebel Boukournine is a geological marvel comprising of folded and faulted outcrops of limestone, dating back to the Jurassic era. Boukornine is Arabic for “the one with two horns.” This refers to the highest peaks in the range, one with 576 meters, while the other stands at 493 meters. The Jebel Boukornine is considered by many Tunisians as a sacred mountain.
The park has an abundance of Persian cyclamen, a species of wildflowers. It is characterized by the range of colors in its petals. There is a white base that turns into pale pink or rose to pink, red to carmine, or an all-white coloring. The park is also home to the mountain gazelle and the Etruscan shrew, which is the smallest known mammal in terms of weight.
2. El Feijoa National Park
Home to North African natives: African golden wolf, Barbary boar, and Barbary stag, this park is generally known for its rich flora. The diverse soil within the park and its complementary climate are the perfect combinations for thriving mixed forests. Among the flora are aromatic trees like African oak, cork oak, lavender, and myrtle.
The forests, in turn, are great habitats for many animals, including the Barbary deer, which is the park’s flagship animal. Other animals that can be found in different areas of the park include genets, golden jackals, red foxes, servals, and weasels. The park also houses some reptiles: chameleons, Hispanic reptiles, and snake-necked turtles. There are also over 70 species of birds that call the park home.
There are also archeological sites within the park where obsidian artifacts were found.
3. Jebel Serj National Park
Traversing the provinces of Kairouan Governorate and Siliana Governorate, the park was created on March 29, 2010. It is within the Dorsal mountain range. The highest peak that is still covered by the park’s territory rises at 1,357 meters. The main purpose of the park was to protect the Montpellier maple, which is a “very threatened” tree species in Tunisia.
The park is rich in wildlife. Among the more common animal residents are the following: African golden wolves, foxes, gazelles, hares, hedgehogs, mongooses, and wild boars. Very rarely, some tourists may also see some spotted hyenas. The water bodies within the park are also a favorite among birds, just like the trees that act as a green blanket for the park. Among the commonly sighted birds in the park are Barbary partridge, common kestrel, European turtle dove, ferocious nozzle, shoed eagle, and short-toed snake eagle.
There are some observation towers put up within the park to enrich a tourist’s experience.
4. Sidi Toui National Park
The park is mountainous with some salt flats and river channels, which are filled up with water during the rainy season. It suffered several setbacks as a protected area over the years. In 1987, the park’s flora suffered from drought and overgrazing. The park was established in 1993 in a bid to revitalize the area. By 1999, the vegetation had started thriving again. The park is mostly grasslands with a peppering of trees.
The scimitar oryx was also introduced in the park as its flagship animal. This species was once abundant in the North African wilds but became extinct in 2000. The oryx population is now usually bred in captivity.
5. Zembra National Park
This comprises Zembra and Zembretta islands, also known as Tunisia’s mystery islands. Zembra is an imposing rock formation with a peak of 432 meters. Many 400-meter cliffs are surrounding the island, which gives a great vista of the entire national park. There are stunning landscapes and a lot of amazing natural and unique rock formations. Hikers and trekkers will certainly enjoy the challenges offered by the park.
The entire island is a great birding area as well as a haven among nature lovers. The park has an area called Islands of Birds because of the many species of birds that nest there. A lot of those birds are native to the island. As for the last report, there were over 60,000 birds in the park. During the migratory season, some 140,000 birds also frequent the park’s cliffs. Among the unique presence in the park include the rare Audouin’s gull and the threatened species Mediterranean shearwater.
Park flora also comprises native palm trees and unique plants. Then there are also archeological sites in the area reflecting Roman and Phoenician settlements.